Pic of new Mclaren 2005 Challenger and some Kimi news

**Monseratto** · January 26th, 2005 08:55 AM

25/01/05 - 16:21]

Raikkonen reprimanded by McLaren
Whitmarsh wants to protect his team's image

For the past few weeks, Kimi Raikkonen has made the headlines with his actions away from the race tracks. The young Finn's explosive parties made the news and his drinking sprees don't fit very well with the impeccably professional image of the McLaren Mercedes team.

At the introduction of the new McLaren MP4-20, some journalists tried to learn more about these incidents and Raikkonen replied: "I know where you are trying to go now but it doesn't make me any slower," said the Finn to ITV. "It's my private life so what I do in the car is completely different because I am for sure giving everything that I can to the team. It's part of life. You cannot always believe all the things in the newspaper..."

McLaren's Chief Executive Officer Martin Whitmarsh is taking the news seriously and will take the time to have a talk with Raikkonen.

"I'm aware of the media coverage that Kimi received over the course of the weekend," mentioned Whitmarsh to ITV. "Certainly that's not a welcome thing, either for Kimi or the team. Even if they [the reports] are not entirely true, the perception is extremely negative and that's something that we have to take seriously."

"We've got a whole range of multi-national brands that are associated with our team and they don't invest in Formula 1 for this sort of imagery. We'll take whatever steps to ensure that Kimi understands the seriousness of the situation. I think he does and perhaps there was a touch of naivete about what happened here and he's learning that as a reputation starts to develop, you've got to be ultra- sensitive about having fun in a public place."

Hugo GIGUERE
© CAPSIS International

**hens** · February 18th, 2005 10:16 AM

Have you guys seen the 'horns' attached to JP Montoyas car??? sana ilagay nila sa final version of the car..GANDA!!! (anong gamit pala niyan?)

**wrcastro_ph** · February 18th, 2005 10:35 AM

I dont think that will be allowed by the FIA rules.

**hagiber** · February 18th, 2005 10:37 PM

Allowed yan :-) It adds more downforce and smoothens the airflow to the rearwing..

**Monseratto** · February 19th, 2005 12:03 AM

Prediction is that Renault and Mclaren has a very good package and will beat Ferrari in Melbourne. Dalawang Linggo na lang umpisa ulit ang circus!

**hagiber** · February 19th, 2005 11:27 AM

Hmmm.. based on the latest testing times from Barcelona, Renault looks stronger than Mclaren this year... yung question is can either team (specially the engine guys) ensure that the whole package lasts the distance...