Translated by our foreign correspondent, Claudio Acquista
Leo Turrini
Formula1 November 13, 2013
I thank those who kindly invited me to support the cause of Davide Valsecchi in Lotus to replace Kimi.
Obviously there was no need since I do not have Boullier’s or Lopez’s phone numbers…. nor do I want them.
You see, I am a friend of Davide’s. I have also met his father. He’s a boy full of passion but the wretched reality of the post-modern F1 has bannished his dream.
Let me explain…
McLaren picks Magnussen, an absolute beginner, for 2014.
Red Bull, which has four World Constructors Titles in its showcase, will put the brave Ricciardo alongside SuperVettel, who of course, has some experience but he is not an experienced journeyman.
And what does Team Lotus do?
Though the team has an “italian under contract” with Valsecchi, they choose to replace a Finn with another Finn – Kovalainen.
Let me be clear.
I talk about Heikki with great respect for him. In an asiatic afternoon nightmare (*because Turrini is a Kimi supporter), I saw Heikki with a Renault keeping behind Raikkonen. And I’ve even seen him winning a Grand Prix in Hungary.
And there is no doubt about his professionality.
On the contrary, this is about Lotus’ style.
They say: “hey! but we are still fighting for the third place in the Constructors title, therefore we need a more consistent man in spite of (although good) Davide.”
Curiously, the same people were not interested in the 2nd place for the Drivers’ championship, given the fights with the Holy Drinker (*Turrini’s nickname for Kimi) after his “Come Back at Ferrari”.
And with a stretch of dignity, I ask you, isn’t it better if they say that probably Kovalainen has behind him, munificent supporters, absent in the case of Valsecchi?
It would be a more honest an intellectual approach.
And I pray to be saved from the classical Italiot grumble which is: “Ah! But it is Ferrari’s fault in not supporting Italian drivers, and so it is the fault of Montezemolo, Domenicali and the rest of the singing company.”
And in good and evil, we can discuss until tomorrow morning, but at least, in the second half of the sixties, almost half a century ago, the ostracism of the ‘azzurri’ (*the Italians) drivers was decreed by Enzo Ferrari himself. He decided that after the tragedy of Bandini in Monaco. The Dear Alboreto was a rare case while Morbidelli-Larini-Badoer and Fisichella were simple-reserves, more or less like Capelli, though Ivan did not know that!
To avoid misunderstandings, I did not agree with the position of the Old (*Enzo Ferrari) and I wrote, in vain, that after the seventh title of Schumi, that President Di Montezemolo should have better planned his target to win a world championship with an Italian driver, more than sixty years after Ascari Ciccio did (the anniversary is right now during these days).
He (di Montezemolo) himself told me that he did not care less. But on the other hand, when in the Bel Paese (*Italy) things were different, like in the early nineties, Ferrari lined up only “stranger” drivers……while at the same time I was counting on the grid even more than ten citizens of the republic chaired today by Giorgio Napolitano.
And this is the proof (with Valsecchi’s disappointment) that the problem is not due to Ferrari.
PS. Let me salute here the master of the mountain, the great Nesti (*a great Italian old race driver who has died today), the king of the hill climbs. I saw him run when I was a child. May he continue to drive the curves as only he knew how to do, even on Heaven’s hairpin bends.
Translated by our foreign correspondent, Claudio Acquista
Leo Turrini
Formula1 November 19, 2013
The Texas GP report card is out!
Tilke, 10. Well, I have often written horrible things about circuits drawn from his pencil. I have not changed my mind about those. But I have to admit that the design of Austin is fantastic (compared to his usual). Semel circuit licet insanire* (*it’s a Latin phrase which means he is insane “in circuit”. What this actually means is that Tilke loves driving on old style circuits such as nordschleife and Watkins glen. Yet, he typically designs boring circuits.)
VALSECCHI, 10. For the relentless stoicism shown inside the box of Lotus. Then if you want, tweet to those of Lotus. I know that Panorama (*an Italian weekly magazine) has a nicely promoted hashtag or whatever you call it, stuff like “#valsecchiforbrazil”…you know that digitally, I am a sloth. So if you care, get active about it.
LOTUS, 2. But really! Having no money, they have done and are doing miracles (see the second place of Grosjean, vote 9). Precisely for this reason, we are understandably disappointed! I do not think Kovalainen has robbed Fort Knox. I maintain that it was a totally wrong decision in not giving Valscecchi the chance to drive, and based on the result, it was “really avoidable”. Then they tell me that instead of Hulk, they are signing Maldonado. I dunno, but I’m glad for Pastor. Maybe Pastor in 2014 could win the title and I will repent.
KIMI, 10. Just because we are going to Interlagos :D I remember 2007 and, ok, that miracle will not happen this time. But with all the respect I have for disappointed pseudo Ferrari supporters, we remember the events of Brazil 07 as a sort of fairy tale that Ferraristi can tell themselves while at the bar or in a lounge: “Do you remember that time in Brazil?”… “Oh yes I do!”
Vettel, 5. People should have to find him just some defect. I mean, you do the donut even at Austin, but you limit yourself to just one circle? You should have done the Eight of Giotto (*Giotto is an Italian medieval architect – painter famous for drawing by free hand, a perfect “O”) and it would have been really applauded. Oh, and they told me that if Vettel was gunning for fifth place….he stated he would have stayed at home. For me, I’ve told that even though Schumi struggled at times for fifth place in 1996 or even in 2005, those races were also great to behold!
ALONSO, 9. He illuminates in the darkness; an anchor of light. I wanted so much for the blood to arrive to the heart.
HULK, 8. Very good. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the contrasting voices about his next move in 2014 are actually hiding some great maneuver for 2015! I mean, I do not think he’s risking his future; on the contrary, I have the impression that his future could already be in his pocket. I have to develop the desire to investigate this further.
MASSA, 2. The way he drove in Texas, you would think he is ready to drive a new car – not the Williams but the safety car!
Kovalainen, ng (*not evaluating) Acquitted for lack of evidence and as to the immediate termination, it is clear that the law (Severino) (*Severino is a political figure in Italy but used to represent Boullier in this instance) does not provide for retroactivity. And if you would like for me to explain what kind of country I was born in and how I’m not doing magnificently as I age, come here and I’ll tell you.
quote Pagellone 2013 , That’s why Kimi: 8! The Racing Nerd December 10, 2013 No Comments
Translated by our foreign correspondent, Claudio Acquista
Leo Turrini
Formula1 December 8, 2013
When at the end of 2011, Kimi Raikkonen decided to return to Formula One, he told to one that I know well: “My goal is to convince Ferrari to hire me again”. Today everybody knows how the story has gone. Well, in judging and rating the little blond’s 2013, I feel myself forced to make a series of reflections, mental elucubrations, details, and reviews.
1 ) Given the chronic financial gap of the team, it was not written anywhere that Lotus would have proved to be competitive at a decent level.
2 ) If my memory is not lacking, only once was Vettel not the championship leader and at that time, at the top there was the Holy Drinker (*Kimi)
3 ) Excluding the last three races (Abu Dhabi does not count, for obvious reasons) , Raikkonen was always been in contention for second place in the standings, even if he did not have a support behind it; similar to those of Red Bull or Ferrari or Mercedes.
4) Grosjean is certainly an interesting case (*an Ace in racing) in perspective (for the future). If you were paired for two years with Kimi and got much lower results…. In short, those who want to see, will see. Those who do not want to see are just blind.
5 ) I do not think Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is a fool. If, reviewing opinions and choices of the recent past, LCDM has even come to compare the Kimi-bis to the comeback of Niki Lauda in the eighties! Hmm, maybe it’s better to take note!
6) I do not think that Fernando Alonso is not in a position to judge his colleagues. If he reacted how he reacted (see press release of the last hundred days) to the return of the Little Blond in Maranello, surely this would mean something!?!
7) Rating of Kimi’s season: a brimful 8. After that, since “’cca nisciuno è fess” (*Italian neapolitan proverb to say: Here no one is stupid), if the Rossa in 2014 were to go in reverse (*to say that the car is a slow one), no one would question the things I wrote above. It would be just like Schumi in 2005 – who became an iron (a slow driver) because the Ferrari was just not fast enough…
quote Smedley goes to Williams ++ The Racing Nerd December 12, 2013
Translated by our foreign correspondent, Claudio Acquista
Leo Turrini
Formula1 December 11, 2013
Here’s a bit of scattered and sprinkled news
1) Rob Smedley, Massa’s long-time race engineer, is leaving Ferrari. And where does he go? Williams.
2) Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer will be an Italian. I will remain mum about the name of this Italian who also likes vodka.
3) The rule on the “car plus the driver equals total weight” will not be changed since to change would require the unanimity of the teams. And actually, there is no unanimity.
4) Kimi has fully recovered after the operation. He is scheduled to be back in Maranello the next week; before Christmas.
5) There was a “four-eyes” meeting in private between the Blond and Alonso. In truth, there were a total of six eyes. (*maybe Leo thinks about Kimi’s sunglasses….). The meeting went very well.
6) About the matter of Briscolone (*the great mess) applied to the final Grand Prix… as an afterthought, it may be extreme (*in the last call). Ferrari and Red Bull are said to oppose to the idea, but the sponsors, television (not all) and Ecclestone (obviously) keep pushing for it.
7) As an alternative to the briscolone, there are those who propose (and I do not mind) to assign more points for Great Classic F1 tracks like Monaco, Spa, Monza, and Suzuka. I have also spoken about this some time ago …..it would, at least, be the most logical.
8) The Lotus must be in the financial gas can (*to say that the team is financially really ruined): Raikkonen has yet to see a dollar, euro, or yen!
quote LCDM and Alo-Kimi as Renzi-Letta The Racing Nerd December 20, 2013 No Comments
Translated by our foreign correspondent, Claudio Acquista
Leo Turrini
(NB *Renzi is the new leader of the PD party and sooner or later, aspires to become the new Italian Prime Minister and LETTA is the actual Prime Minister…they are both from the same PD party…so that’s why Leo makes this comparison)
Formula1 December 20, 2013
As some of you already know, I’m very fond of Montezemolo, the lawyer. At the same time, I admit that the participation to 22 (twenty-two) Christmas dinners officiated by myself sometimes evoke in me, a feeling similar to fantozziana’s reaction after he saw the movie: The Potemkin Battleship. (Mr Fantozzi is a comedic character in a number of Italian movies in the 70s-80s. In “The Potemkin Battleship”, Mr Fantozzi had been instructed by his employer to sit through a long and boring Russian film, after which he screamed out loud “this movie is crazy shit!”)
Anyway, for the sake of truth, this time LCDM has told us some vaguely original things. I leave the judgments to you, compartmentalizing the items in a row, according to a random pattern which is based on my fragile memory:
1) “They all say that Ferrari has veto power over major decisions concerning F1. For sure, I’m ready to exercise it if some right-thinking mind would jump to remove Spa GP from the F1 calendar.”
2) “I’ve never understood why we race in places scattered in remote corners of India or Korea, where nobody cares about Grand Prix racing”.
3) “THE FIRST DRIVER TO DRIVE THE NEW 2014 FERRARI FOR THE JEREZ TEST WILL BE RAIKKONEN”.
4) “Domenicali has done well to convince me to take Kimi. When I met him a month ago in Maranello, Raikkonen has impressed me. For his desire and determination”.
5) “I am convinced that the Finnish’s two-year break has served him well. Maybe, a lot of people in all environments, would need two years of rest”.
6) KIMI-ALONSO AS LETTA-Renzi? I exclude it, Domenicali KNOWS WELL WHAT TO DO ‘.
7) “I mean, we have two mature and experienced drivers. Both of them know the world of Ferrari. If our style wouldn’t suite them, they would be free to go elsewhere. But they won’t do it”.
8) “ALONSO HAS NO AGREEMENT WITH THE MCLAREN FOR 2015. HE EVEN HAS A CONTRACT WITH US AND ASKED to extend it”.
9) “About Fernando, I am really clear: he is the strongest driver in circulation”. (At this point, a reporter (guess who?) got up and said: Come on Mr President, don’t exaggerate, you know so well that Alonso is NOT better than Vettel. The reporter who countered President Wisp (*for his wispy haircut!) was ME… but it is not true that I had gotten up… we were on the third round of prosecco by then (*a really good Italian kind of dry champagne).
10) “EVEN IF YOU DO NOT believe me, I have to ask you: IS IT HARDER TO GET SECOND PLACE IN THE WORLD SERIES THREE TIMES IN A ROW WITHOUT EVER HAVING THE BEST CAR, OR IS IT HARDER TO WIN FOUR CONSECUTIVE WORLD TITLES THANKS TO A BETTER CAR?” I was past the point of the grappa and I did not answer (*grappa is a more alcoholic Italian liquor)
11) “However, Alonso knows to be part of a team… but sometimes, in a group, someone has a wrong attitude and the group’s leader intervenes to correct it. That’s what I did after Hungary GP, end of story and no trailing”.
12) “Our pair of drivers is the strongest one in 2014, along with that of Mercedes”.
13) “Speaking so well about Alonso doesn’t mean I am undermining Vettel. Seb is a great champion”.
14) “In 2013, we lost for three reasons. The first is the inability to develop a car that was not born so bad, and that is all due to our fault. The second: the change in tires was imposed due to safety concerns and it was inevitable. It was not our fault that the season was altered from then on. The third: we missed the points from Massa for the constructors championship for a possible second place behind Red Bull”.
15) “Whoever wrote that Red Bull wins by spending less than we do is misinformed or he is a liar”.
16) “Returning to Massa, I will always love him. It was time to change, for him and for us. I admit that we may have waited too long. But he will do good things with the Williams”.
17) “James Allison reminds me of Ross Brawn. For years, we have not had a real technical director… now we have a really smart one”.
18) “Allison gives me confidence starting with three certainties. One: in 2013, we were the best team for pit stops and race strategies. Two: finally we got our wind tunnel operational again and we have made great progress with the simulator. Three: at last, the aerodynamics counts a bit less”.
19) “The return of the turbo is exciting for us, Mercedes, and Renault. I was talking yesterday with Lauda… finally the big car companies have an interest in developing new research for racing knowing that there will be an impact on industrial production. Until 2013, apart from the F1 KERS, there were no other goodies for factory cars. For those who produce drinks, maybe it is different”.
20) “We really want to go back to Le Mans, but before 2017 it can not happen”.
21) “Kimi wanted again Stella as race engineer, but I explained him that Alonso too wanted Stella and so Kimi is really happy to get Spagnolo, which is very very good”.
22) “I hope that the technical rules for 2014 may be transparent and clear and do not allow for cheats. I told Todt and Ecclestone to give everyone back an understandable F1: actually it is possible that if you do not have a PC at hand you don’t know what is happening on the tracks”.
23) “If there was a chance of putting a third car on the track, we would give it to an American team, with a U.S. pilot”.
24) “Ecclestone? He must understand that we are all mortal, including him. But he cannot have a single heir, there will be a collegial succession”.
25) “Oh, and the name of the new Kimi and Fernando car will not be chosen by us, we will let our fans decide it via social networks from around the world”.
I don't like LDM, he likes Kimi's back but to him he's clearly the second driver. But we should all let Kimi's driving do the talking. Hoping, of course, the car fits his driving style, so he can take everything out of the car.
But of course I'm worried, because if Alonso qualifies higher than Kimi, he'll get the better strategy and pitstops. But we still have time to pray for a good end of his F1 career, but I suggest we get started.
Leo Turrini tell us Kimi will sit two days in the simulator this week. What else? Momo, Olga or Miezi, could you please help?
quotedunque io mi sono rotto los cocones e se su Faccialibro ci sono riferimenti alla mia modestissima persona io non c'entro una beata mazza e vivo comunque magnificamente senza crisi di astinenza, baci e abbracci e vai con Kimi che prox week ci facciamo due giornate di simulatore, roba da restare ubriachi senza bere
my italian is too rusty...but from what i understand he says that with kisses and hugs he will go with Kimi next week for two days of simulators, and they will be drunk without having drunk...
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Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:42 am
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W
yes, apparently no money from Lotus yet and nothing to persuade/threaten them with now 
Momo, Olga or Miezi, could you please help?
