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Kimi Raikkonen
finally got behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car as he
joined his team mate Felipe Massa, who was testing the new
F2007, on track at the Vallelunga circuit yesterday. It has
been a long wait since the Finn's contract with Ferrari was
announced last autumn, as his McLaren-Mercedes contact
prevented him from driving for the Italian team before the
end of 2006.
Last Monday
Felipe Massa was entrusted to shakedown the brand new F2007,
the car that the Scuderia will use to mount their challenge
for the 2007 FIA Formula 1 World Championship title, at
Fiorano; just a day after it had been previewed to the
media. The F2007 builds on last year's 248 F1 chassis, and
again uses the new generation of 2.4-litre V8 engines, but
with all-round upgrades, including in the areas of
aerodynamics and safety.
Ferrari had planned to start testing with the F2007 this
week at Mugello but due to inclement weather conditions the
programme was switched to Vallelunga, and so yesterday the
team began working at the "Piero Taruffi" circuit. Kimi
Raikkonen and Felipe Massa both took to the track and for
the Finn this was a special day for the Tifosi as it
marked his debut at the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car; he
drove the outgoing 248 F1, while his Brazilian team-mate was
again entrusted to lead the programme with the F2007.
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Kimi Raikkonen completed 39 laps at Vallelunga
yesterday as he acclimatised himself with the 248 F1
and the team members in general. His fastest lap was
set in 1:15.226. |
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Kimi Raikkonen finally got behind the wheel of a
Ferrari Formula 1 car as he joined his 2007 team
mate Felipe Massa, who was testing the new F2007, on
track at Vallelunga yesterday. |
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The day's technical programme comprised of Raikkonen getting
to know the car, while Massa concentrated on starting
serious track development of the new F2007 car well
underway. Massa turned in a total of 74 laps yesterday, with
a best lap time of 1:14.493, while Raikkonen completed 39
laps as he acclimatised himself with the 248 F1 and the team
members in general. His fastest lap was set in 1:15.226.
Massa and Raikkonen will continue testing at this circuit
today as the Scuderia begins to wind up its development
programme ahead of the start of the 2007 Grand Prix season.
Test Details
(23/01): Circuit: Autodromo "Piero Taruffi" di Vallelunga -
4.085 km; Drivers: Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen; Cars:
F2007 and 248 F1; Weather: air temperature 15/16°C, track
15°C. Overcast, occasional rain, windy.
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