(from autosport.com) Ferrari's new challenger took to the track for the first time this morning, with Kimi Raikkonen completing the first few laps at Fiorano. The F2008, unveiled to the world yesterday at Maranello, made its track debut at 10:33 local time on a foggy Fiorano circuit. World champion Raikkonen covered the first few laps in front of hundreds of fans, who gathered outside the track to watch the Italian team's progress. The team will continue testing at Fiorano during the rest of the day.
(from autosport.com) World champion Kimi Raikkonen completed a successful shakedown of Ferrari's new F2008 car at the Fiorano circuit on Monday. The Finn took to the track in very cold and foggy conditions early in the morning, before going on to complete a total of 55 laps during the course of the day. Raikkonen set a best time of 1:00.897 on standard rain tyres and was pleased with the first impressions. "The first impressions of the new car were very positive," said Raikkonen. "I don't think we have to make any improvements at the moment. "There were some problems today and we still don't have the final tyres; but the impression was really fine. Next week we have further possibilities to see how the car behaves." He added: "I don't have many points of reference. I can only compare it to the last car. I did a test without traction control before Christmas and I have to say that first of all you have to drive very cautiously and consider that a car with traction control is fast and might respond a little bit faster. "Surely the first impression is really positive and you can handle the car even without the traction control. The weather could have been better today, but it is really nice to drive this single-seater." Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here's the vid. Approximately 10 minutes long. http://axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/2008/01/first-ferrari-f2008-shakedown-video.html
Well, alcohol restrictions won't be that harsh compared to mid of the season... it's the Vodka that makes him talk
Wow! Fantastic video! Just hearing the car was great let alone seeing it through the fog. Good to see MS there also.
Slightly off topic here: Ferrari has the Fiorano track and they clearly use it for testing out their cars on top of participating at test sessions at other venues. Both Toyota and Honda have their own race tracks as well (granted both teams are based in Europe, with their respective tracks in Japan). Why don't they use them for testing? I'm assuming it shouldn't be that big a deal to have an identical car to test out R&D work at their tracks. Money issue? Surely Honda and Toyota have the funds to support such a testing program. Convenience? Ferrari does have the advantage of having the location where the car is built being right next to the track. Just a thought. I just remember watching a qualy lap in Suzuka and the commentator mentioning it was Honda's test track. But I'm assuming he's referring to their road car testing.
Toyota have used Fuji extensively I believe, I assume Honda does the same you just don't hear about it.
All the big teams have dedicated test teams as well as race teams, to then set up another in a different country would take a lot of resourses. Also the FIA has restrictions on the amount of testing allowed. Great vid, did you hear the wheels spinning up due to no traction control !! Very cool
Awesome video!! loved hearing the car racing round the track and seeing Kimi smile was a welcome change. Anyone have hi-res pix of the car going round Fiorano?
notice how cool and relaxed, how much more he's talking, and he's even smiling more than ever, compared when he was at Mac
I have been watching F1 Season Review 2007 to hold me over. It's actually really well put together; I recommended it anyone. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Formula-One-Season-Review-2007/dp/B000WZ7WI6 Mark
Great video. I love all the chatter around the car from the team and then how it almost completely stopped when Kimi got into the car. Almost chilling to view that moment of focus.
That did not look like a Raikkonen that plans to retire any time soon. Looked like someone living their dream and very happy about it.
Here he is testing the second F2008 and by the looks of it they did shorten the chassis a bit and by the looks of Massa he seems very pleased with the improvements and the teams effort to keeping things fair between him and his teammate...... http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080108/ids_photos_sp/r2011030307.jpg/
