Räikkönen and Montoya meet as teammates in Jerez

Frozen expressions thawed out during course of track day

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A chilly Andalusian morning witnessed the first meeting as team-mates of Formula One drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Juan Pablo Montoya in Jerez yesterday.
      When the two hotshots appeared at the Jerez track's McLaren-Mercedes pit at 8:45 a.m., their expressions appeared as chilled as the surrounding air. It almost seemed as if the yawning men had secretly agreed to compete who could present himself as more tired to the press.
      Neither of the two drivers enjoys a reputation of being particularly jovial, but perhaps this time they were both being extra-cautious about revealing their true feelings. After all, their rivalry may well become one of the few delights of the coming Formula One season, in a sport which has been somewhat devitalised by Michael Schumacher's red superiority.
     
Despite the morning's machismo display, Räikkönen appeared noticeably more relaxed the previous evening. The Finn, who started his test programme a day before the Colombian, seemed almost cheery when interviewed in a McLaren tent.
      "It feels nice to become Montoya's teammate, although, as far as my driving goes, this doesn't change anything", Räikkönen said. "I have my own programme to follow, Montoya has his. Lap times are of no importance at this stage."
      "Only the first race will reveal who is faster."
     
Both drivers see the coming season as a real challenge. "Kimi and I already had stiff competition when I was sat behind the Williams wheel, and now that we're in the same team this competition will definitely continue", Montoya explained.
      This season, however, as both men drive the same car, the true pecking order of these Schumacher heirs-in-waiting should be revealed.
      In their first encounter, Räikkönen clocked a tenth of a second faster lap time. "That is totally irrelevant", Räikkönen emphasised. "I don't even know which test programme Montoya and his team were running."
     
After the day's work, in which Montoya completed 91 laps and Räikkönen 124, the two men seemed exceptionally cheery. The development of their relationship may well add some extra flavour to the F1 circus. So far they seem to be getting along just fine.
      "Montoya is a nice guy. The level of verbal communication between the two of us is better than it ever was between David  (Coulthard) and myself", Räikkönen philosophised.
      Montoya's comments were along the same lines. "I get along with Kimi very well", the Colombian said. "So far our rivalry has been somewhat aggressive, because we have been driving for competing teams. Now that we are team-mates our relationship can only get better."
      It will be interesting to see how these remarks shape up when a few results and points are on the board. 


Links:
  McLaren-Mercedes
  Juan Pablo Montoya official website
  Kimi Räikkönen official website

Helsingin Sanomat