RAIKKONEN AIMS TO EXIT FERRARI ON A HIGH

“The race in Abu Dhabi will be my last Grand Prix with Ferrari and as usual I will give it everything to gain the best possible result," the Finn said on Ferrari's website. "We'll try to conclude this difficult year with a good result, hoping that it will be enough to gain the third place in the Constructors' Championship, As I wrote before, it's time for me to say goodbye to the guys at Ferrari after three years together. I'm proud of the things we achieved, especially the drivers' title in 2007 and the constructors' title in the same year and in 2008.”

FERRARI RULE OUT2009 COMEBACK FOR MASSA

“At the Fiorano track, Felipe Massa will get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car,” said a statement released by Ferrari. “This is in no way a proper test session and looking at the stopwatch will not be on the agenda. There will be plenty of time for that in 2010, when, alongside Fernando Alonso, he will begin development work of the new single-seater. It is simply an opportunity for Felipe to renew his acquaintance with his natural environment, namely the race track.

“It is significant but in no way does it signify a return to competition in the near future. In fact, based on a previously taken decision and after an informal medical examination in Paris a few days ago, which proved rather positive, but not enough to endorse a return to competition in the next two months, Felipe and the team want to proceed gradually and without any hurry to recover as well as possible from the effects of the accident.

“Therefore talk of a proper return to Formula One can wait until the start of the 2010 season and only at that time will the medical checks be carried out, as required by the FIA in order to allow someone who has been injured to return to racing.” F1

MASSA'S LEFT EYE GETS MEDICAL ALL-CLEAR

"Today Felipe Massa started a series of neurological and ophthalmological exams by the FIA at the Pitié Salpetrière hospital in Paris, part of the Brazilian driver's recovery programme after the accident in Budapest on 25 July," said a Ferrari statement.
"Today's exams ended at 7:30pm and will restart tomorrow afternoon.
"The first outcomes are positive: especially the ophthalmological exam confirmed that Felipe, who arrived with his personal doctor Dino Altmann, has recovered the functions of his left eye by 100 per cent."
Massa is expected to test a Formula 1 car again on Monday, when he start to get back up to speed in a 2007 Ferrari.

MASSA SPENDS SIX HOURS IN THE SIMULATOR

“We worked very well, without any problems. The simulator uses an A1GP single-seater, so it’s not exactly like Formula One, but pretty close. I ‘drove’ on the track in Barcelona to avoid creating an even bigger test atmosphere.

“The work was more than anything else a way to get back in contact with a car. Obviously I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a real single-seater. I miss Formula One a lot. It’s my passion more than my job.” Massa told Ferrari’s official website.

ALONSO HOPES TO END CAREER AT FERRARI

"I really think that Ferrari will be my last team, because leaving Ferrari to change teams is always a step backwards," he said.
"It has to be a step backwards because Ferrari is more than just a team and I want to finish my career there.
It is for three years for now, then with some options to continue, so hopefully I can continue as long as they want and I can finish my career here with a lot of wins," said Alonso.

RAIKKONEN "VERY SAD" OVER FERRARI EXIT

Kimi Raikkonen admitted he is “very sad” to be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season after the team agreed with the Finn to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
The 30-year-old, who won his only world title to date during his first Ferrari season two years ago, says he leaves with many happy memories.
“With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,” said Kimi Raikkonen.
“I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races.
“Together, we have won 50% of the world titles in that period and I managed to take the drivers’ title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career.
“I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team.”

itv-f1

ALONSO TO RAPLACE RAIKKONNEN AT FERRARI IN 2010

“We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two world championships in his career to date,” said Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali.

“Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the drivers’ title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari’s history and he played a vital role in our taking of the constructors’ title in 2007 and 2008.

“Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.”
F1

Massa back behind the wheel

Since fracturing his skull at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari's Felipe Massa has been at home in Brazil convalescing ahead of his planned Formula One comeback in 2010. This week Massa's recuperation took an encouraging step forward after he returned to the track to enjoy two days of karting.

The outing took place at the Brazilian circuit of Granja Viana, on the outskirts of Sao Paolo. Accompanied by his personal doctor Dino Altman, Massa completed a couple of laps on Monday, before heavy rain interrupted proceedings. He got back behind the wheel on Tuesday, however, and covered 60 laps.

The 28 year-old, who will race at the annual International Challenge of Go-Kart Champions in Brazil in November, plans to carry on karting for a couple more days. He'll then fly to Italy and journey to Ferrari's factory in Maranello, where he plans to use the team's static F1 simulator.

F1

FERRARI NOT RULING OUT EARLY MASSA RETURN

“He is doing every day a check with his doctor, but not an official medical check,” the Ferrari team boss told reporters.
“He is working hard on the training and next week he should go into the karting activity.
We don’t have to anticipate anything, because he will be back 100%, but there is no reason why we need to anticipate something if there is something that is not ready.”

FISICHELLA ADMITS NERVES HELD HIM BACK

"I feel more comfortable, more confident, more relaxed," said Fisichella.

"Monza was a tough weekend for me, especially in terms of how nervous I was even before getting in the car on Friday, and all weekend.
But now after a whole race, and I did some more simulator work in the factory, I did an aerodynamic test last weekend at Fiorano, I'm much more comfortable.
I like the circuit, with more downforce it will be better for me - I will have more confidence.
At Monza I think I was losing a couple of tenths just with concentration because I was thinking about that," he admitted.
"As you know Ferrari stopped the development of the car because they are just concentrating on next year's car, but considering Valencia, Kimi was competitive there, and we should have the same level of downforce so I think we should be alright to be in the top ten," said Fisichella.
"The ambition is to get into the top ten qualifying session and score points, be as close as possible to Kimi and obviously to the leaders."
F1

FERRARI SAYS ONLY MASSA SECURE FOR 2010

"We will have a Brazilian driver because he deserves another chance given that, thank God, he is fine,” Reuters quotes di Montezemolo as saying.
“Otherwise, we are mulling the best choice but we still have time.
We will decide in a few weeks.”

FERRARI CONFIDENT FISI WILL IMPROVE

"I think that Giancarlo performed well," said Domenicali.
He had a difficult Saturday, and Friday was the first time he drove for us."
It was important for him to arrive at the end of the race, and I'm expecting that the experience he has gained will help at the next race," Domenicali said.
"I'm sure that from Singapore he will have a better performance. Our car is not so easy to handle, this is for sure, and we have to take this comment on board and consider it," Domenicali said.

FERRARI: LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO "THE FUTURE OF F1 WON'T BE ABOUT SMALL TEAMS WHO DON'T RAISE ENTHUSIASM"

"The reduction of spectators, at Monza [which was reported to have 16 per cent fewer spectators this year than in 2008] too, indicates a need to change - no more boring grands prix and polemics," di Montezemolo said at the Frankfurt Motorshow.
"We must also think of testing. We are the only sport that doesn't train. I see many possible adjustments, with no polemics. I hope everyone agrees with the position of Ferrari, which has been in grand prix racing for ever."
At the end of the year we'll have a work day with the media, organisers and sponsors in order to make this extraordinary sport more interesting."
"The Schumacher effect over ticket sales, when it seemed like he could make a comeback, shows how much top drivers and teams attract," he said.

"The future of F1 won't be about small teams who don't raise enthusiasm.
We need the possibility for top teams to field a third car for famous or young drivers."
"I am happy to see [Felipe] Massa psychologically ready to drive – I've already bet with him that he'll be quicker."

KIMI DISAPPOINTED

"We got third place as a little bit of a gift but it doesn't matter, it still counts, it's good points for us and we need that. It's a bit disappointing to drive as well as you can every lap, not really making any mistakes, and still finish quite far away from the first two.
So it's not the perfect position for me or for the team, but at least we scored some points, which we needed, and I think we got the most out of the car this weekend.
It's good for the fans to be on the podium, and it's much better than finishing fourth.
We're going to keep pushing as hard as we can, but we know there are cars that are quicker than ours.
But maybe at some races we can still challenge them for the win, and that's what we'll try to do."said Raikkonen.

SCHUMACHER EXTENDS FERRARI CONTRACT

“Yesterday in Maranello, Chairman Montezemolo and I agreed on extending our collaboration for another three years,” explained the German on his official website. “I’m very happy about it, because I always loved being part of the family Ferrari, a name that stands for passion, high quality and top-level sportiness.

“The agreement foresees that my contribution is more and more directed to the area of road cars. It was extremely nice for me to participate in the development of the Ferrari California, the 430 Scuderia and the new born 458 Italia, which will be officially presented next Tuesday at the IAA Frankfurt: I can’t wait to be part of the future projects in Maranello."

Santander to sponsor Ferrari from 2010

Ferrari announced on Thursday that Spanish banking giant Santander, whose name can currently be found on McLaren’s cars, will become one of the Italian team's ‘most important’ sponsors from 2010.
"We are very happy to have a new partner like Santander, with whom we are beginning a very important and long term collaboration," commented Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo.

"We share common values, such as striving for excellence, a passion for competition, an international approach and, last but by no means least, the colour red. These values will make this a fruitful partnership, noteworthy around the world."

RACE RETURS HOLDS NO FEAR FOR MASSA

"For me, the worst thing that happened was not being able to race. If you can't drive that's terrible.
But my wife has already asked me, at least 10 times, -Are you sure you don't feel any doubts or worries? -

Always, I say, -No – because this is what I like to do.-

If I don't drive then I am not the same person.

Ever since I was a small boy this is my life. This is what I like to do.

So I really hope, and expect, nothing will change inside of me when I go back into the car and start pushing myself to the maximum again."

"Guardian newspaper"

FISICHELLA´S FERRARI MOVE CONFIRMED

Fisichella ‘in seventh heaven’ after Ferrari move
"I still can’t believe it that the dream of my life comes true and I want to thank Ferrari and Chairman Luca di Montezemolo. Over the last week some really incredible things happened to me: the pole position and then second place at Spa and now I’m called by Ferrari to race the last five races of the season for them. I’ll give my best to recompense the Scuderia for this great opportunity they gave me: I know that it won’t be easy, but I’ll give it everything to gain the best possible results,” continued Fisichella. “I want to say that I’m very sorry for Luca: I know how much he cared to race in Monza behind the wheel of a Ferrari, because this is the best thing that can happen to an Italian driver, to drive a red car in front of our fans."

FERRARI NOT EXPECTING MASSA RETURN IN '09

"Obviously, the results of examination has been warmly welcomed in Maranello, in the sense that the team can count on Felipe 100% for the start of next season," said a Ferrari statement.

"I'm very happy with the outcome of the tests," said Massa. "After the small operation I'll undergo in the next few days, I'll finally be able to start doing gym exercise to get back in shape a bit and, after that, I'll be able to start doing some testing on karts.On track with an F1 car? Let's go one step at a time: now I'm focused only on starting over with physical activity, which is already a nice step forward."

Ferrari: Felipe Massa in excellent form

Ferrari say that Felipe Massa’s recovery is continuing to go ‘very well’ after team principal Stefano Domenicali visited the Brazilian driver at his Sao Paulo home on Sunday.

"Felipe is in excellent form and his recovery is going very well!” Domenicali told Ferrari’s official website, after meeting with his injured driver. "I’m very happy about Felipe’s state.”
"The medical checks which have been carried out over the last two weeks continue to be very encouraging,” added Domenicali. “Now it’s important to be patient and take one step at a time, without any hurry.”