Massa and Domenicali visit Saudi Arabia

Trying a new circuit for the first time is always exciting for a racing driver. And if that “first time” can also be applied to the country he is in, with a very different culture and feel to it from one’s own, then it becomes a truly interesting experience. That was the case today for Felipe Massa, who was working at the Reem International Circuit, near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Felipe was the main attraction at an event organised by Philip Morris International, which involved him using the safety of a race track to help around forty guests experience the intoxicating thrill of speed as he took them round in an F430 Challenge.

Also present along with the Brazilian was Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali. “It’s always nice to visit somewhere new and I’m just sorry I can’t spend more time here,” said Felipe. “The track is very interesting and fun, so I hope I get a further opportunity to drive here. At the moment, our work in the build up to the start of the World Championship is intense and so we have to get back to base soon.”

“Events and venues like these are important to boost motor sport in countries which have only recently embraced it,” added Stefano Domenicali. “For Ferrari, the Middle East is a very important market which we watch very carefully.”

Fernando Alonso had been due to take part in this event, but as he was very slightly under the weather, he felt it best not to make the trip, given that he must be ready very soon for the upcoming Barcelona test session.

Source: YallaF1

FIA president Todt visits recovering Kubica

On Saturday Robert Kubica was visited at the Santa Corona Hospital by FIA president Jean Todt.

Todt is one of several high profile Formula 1 related personalities who have been to see Kubica in Italy. The Pole is on the road to recovery after his horror accident during a club rally earlier this month.

Todt did not speak to media after his visit.

Meanwhile reports in Italy suggest that Kubica’s psychological state and physical condition are good.

His manager Daniele Morelli has also indicated that he is optimistic of a full recovery, however has called for the Lotus-Renault driver’s privacy to be respected as he starts his rehabilitation.

Kubica’s room is protected by security guards and cameras to ensure that he not be disturbed by fans, media and other patients.

Source: YallaF1

Video: Kimi Räikkönen visit ICE1RACING

Source: ICE1RACING

Photos: Sebastian Vettel visits Heppenheim

Sebastian Vettel visits his home town Heppenheim

Felipe and Fernando visit Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi

This morning, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers visited Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the theme park centred on the Maranello marque. It is located on Yas Island, the venue which hosts the nineteenth and final round of the Formula 1 World Championship. Felipe and Fernando arrived in the Emirates on Tuesday night to bring the curtain down on this closely contested season and today they were taken to the Scuderia Challenge, an attraction in the park which allows people to tackle a simulated lap of the Yas Marina Circuit at the wheel of a 430 Scuderia Challenge car. Four journalists were in attendance, Ottavio Daviddi of Tutto Sport, Stefano Mancini of La Stampa, Laurent Dupin of TF1 and Julien Febreau of Europe 1. These men were the top qualifiers of a competition held yesterday for the international media.

The two drivers were bubbling with excitement having just experienced the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster. “Really incredible,” was the unanimous verdict of Fernando Alonso who won the first race on the simulator and Felipe Massa, at the end of the breathtaking lap. “Thanks to this attraction, all lovers of speed, like us will be able to experience, for once in their lives at least, the unique sensation of being launched into the air at 240 kilometres per hour, as well as enjoying what is a truly great day for all real Ferrari fans.”



Source: Ferrari.com

Briatore's Ferrari visit triggers rumours

Flavio Briatore made a visit to Ferrari's Maranello headquarters last week.

The news, revealed by Italian sources including Autosprint and La Gazzetta dello Sport, has unleashed a flood of rumours about the reason for the disgraced former Renault boss' visit.
Briatore reportedly met with team boss Stefano Domenicali as well as Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

The 60-year-old is banned from having a direct operational role in Formula One until 2013, but he remains Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso's manager.

He also manages Mark Webber, rekindling suggestions that the disgruntled Australian driver might be eyeing a move to Ferrari, even though both he and Felipe Massa are under contract for 2011.

A sporting and commercial consultancy role with Ferrari is also rumoured, but more likely is a link with Briatore's reported closeness to a role alongside F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.
Also possible is that Briatore is sitting on the other side of the fence, having last year so stridently argued for leading teams to abandon Ecclestone and the FIA and set up a breakaway championship.

It is also possible that he was representing Ecclestone as talks for the 2013 Concorde Agreement commence, or that he was invited by Ferrari for his insight on the plans of the F1 supremo.
Autosprint also claims that Briatore is looking for a house in Bologna, less than an hour's drive from Maranello.

Amid Ecclestone's burgeoning stance against the FOTA group, talks with F1's most influential and famous team would therefore be a good place for Briatore to re-commence his campaign.

Source: Motorsport.com

Haug's visit to see Raikkonen fires F1 rumours

As previously reported last week... the rumours continue. Where there's smoke there's fire! (We hope!) =)

Mercedes competition director Norbert Haug recently travelled to Kimi Raikkonen's home in Switzerland.

The visit triggered rumours, reported initially by the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti, that the 2007 world champion and current world rally championship driver might be negotiating his return to Formula One.

Raikkonen's spokesman Riku Kuvaja responded by saying the situation for the 30-year-old former McLaren and Ferrari driver is "the same as before".

He would not confirm Haug's Swiss visit.

But at Silverstone on Friday, Haug himself confirmed the news but insisted their meeting was not about Raikkonen's future.

"I have been in contact with Kimi as a friend," said the German, who worked alongside Raikkonen between 2002-2006 at McLaren and was even a guest at the Finn's wedding.

As for Raikkonen's future, Haug said he has not discussed it with the rally driver. "Kimi will make a decision for himself," he said on Friday, according to MTV3.

"I do hope he comes back, because it would be a good thing for F1," added Haug.

Source: Motorsport