Ferrari became the first team to introduce its new car today — after Mercedes introduced its new colors on the old Brawn car earlier in the week — and the teams seem already to be jockeying for position. Ferrari has stated that the new car has set a record: the connections to the ferrari.com Web site.
“More than three million users were connected to watch the presentation, which let the Web site freeze for a couple of seconds in several moments,” the team said in a statement.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali refused to say whether the Finn will drive for the team next year despite being under contract for 2010.
"I think that, as we have said, we don't want to discuss this now, because I don't think it is correct," Domenicali said.
Speculation is intense that Ferrari is set to hire two-time world champion Fernando Alonso from Renault, especially after the Italian team signed Spanish bank Banco Santander as a main sponsor for five years from 2010.
Raikkonen has single-handedly kept Ferrari third in the constructors' series thanks to his recent performances, including a victory at Belgium. Teammate Felipe Massa is still recovering from surgery on multiple skull fractures after a violent crash in Hungary, but is expected to return next year.
"We are happy with the performance of Kimi because he is playing fantastically, he is driving very, very well," Domenicali said.
Raikkonen beat McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Alonso by a single point to capture the world title in 2007.
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa arrives at a hospital in Sao Paulo
Accident: A loose spring from Rubens Barrichello's car is pictured here just moments before it struck Felipe Massa on the head
Per Michael's personal website, "Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe. I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible.
After all the hype surrounding Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 racing to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa, it turns out he actually won’t make it back into the cockpit for Ferrari.
I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."
Raring to go: Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher may be coming out of retirement, but he looked in peak physical condition on Thursday after a second day of kart racing in Italy to prepare for his Formula One comeback.
The 40-year-old German has embarked on a rigorous training regime which has resulted in him losing over six pounds in weight.
'We had two very good karting days,' the seven-time world champion said. 'Arms, upper body, shoulders, neck - an excellent practice indeed.'
Earlier this week he had voiced concerns about a neck problem sustained in a motorbike accident in February, claiming it 'pinches a bit', but he seems to be back in rude health.
Schumacher has agreed to fill in at Ferrari while Brazilian Felipe Massa recovers from a freak accident in qualifying at last month's Hungarian Grand Prix.
He is not allowed to use Ferrari's F60 car before the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23 because track testing during the season is banned.
Schumacher is to undergo medical checks next week to determine whether he is fit enough to return.
Not a great start: Michael Schumacher has to push his cart at the South Garda Karting track in Lonato, Italy
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