Champ Alonso Keeps His Cool

SPANISH FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX

Trial run: Ferrari crew practising their pit stop on the car of Kimi Raikkonen during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya yesterday. - Reuters

McLaren driver not flustered by home pressure

BARCELONA: Some drivers might struggle to deal with the pressure of defending a drivers' world championship in a still unfamiliar car in front of an expectant home crowd, but thankfully for McLaren, Fernando Alonso is not the kind of man that is easily flustered.

The Spaniard insists he will enjoy Sunday's race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya and the pressure that comes with being joint championship leader is, of course, nothing new for him.

"It is the third consecutive year that I come to Spain leading the championship," said Alonso.

"So while it is something very special, it is the same as the previous years.

"It is normally the fourth or fifth race of the championship so it is difficult to get too much stress or nervous about the race because we are only at the beginning of the championship, this race is more for fun that the last four or five when you are more tense.

"I always feel very motivated and I feel a lot of people behind me try to support me and enjoy the race as there is only one of these feelings per year and it is always here in Barcelona so I am happy to race here."

It has been suggested that Alonso might be slightly resentful of the attention being paid to his rookie team-mate, Briton Lewis Hamilton, who has taken Formula One by storm in his first season and consequently taken a share of the limelight normally reserved for the double world drivers champion.

Not according to Alonso, who insists the pair, along with test driver and fellow Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa, enjoy an excellent team spirit.

"We have a fantastic relationship between all three drivers, Pedro, Lewis and me, and we try to help the team as much as we can.

"I think that is the mentality of the team and the atmosphere we need to keep if we want to win.

"We will see, we have done only three races, but for sure it is good to have competition in the team as I have had in the last three or four years in the first few races." – AFP

Schumi rules out return as FI team boss

BARCELONA: Michael Schumacher ruled out a return to Formula One as a team boss or owner yesterday.

The seven-time world champion, attending his first Grand Prix since he retired in October, held a news conference at the Circuit de Catalunya to talk about Formula One, his new life and future plans.

Looking relaxed and sounding at ease, the 38-year-old German made clear he had no plans to play any major role in the sport he once dominated as the most successful driver ever.

Asked whether he had ambitions to be a team owner or to run Ferrari when Jean Todt steps down, he replied: "Neither. Absolutely not, no. I just don't want to. I have other ambitions in life."

Schumacher retired after last season's final Brazilian Grand Prix, bowing out with a record 91 wins and 68 pole positions from 249 races.

While still looking as trim as ever, he said he played football to keep fit but no longer did any gym work.

The German said he had no desire, at the moment at least, to step back into a Formula One car either.

"What will be my future, who knows?"

Schumacher has an unspecified role at Ferrari, the team he likened to a second family while competing, and he said he would simply be observing activities from a distance in Spain this weekend.

Schumacher said he was enjoying spending time with his family and children, being at home during their holidays and not having to worry about other commitments. – Reuters