Formula One news

Column: "Finally it's going to happen"

It's now really going to begin. My preparations are finished and my first Formula One race is just a few days away. My first F1 race… I've been fighting for this for a long time and its finally going to happen on the sixth of March. Of course Minardi isn't the fastest team out there, but you never know what can happen during a race. I expect to have an interesting battle with my teammate Patrick Friesacher - he's a quick guy! 

A Grand Prix weekend isn't just racing around the track. As a driver you have a lot of other things to do for the team like visiting sponsors, guests and talking to the press. Of course that's all part of the job but I won't be distracted too much by everything outside the track. There's only one important thing: the race.

As I write I'm actually already in Australia, over a week before the actual race. I came here early to get used to the time difference. It now really does feel that I'm an F1 driver now I'm in Melbourne. The test sessions we did with Minardi at Misano and Imola went very well and I've got the car under control now. I covered a lot of mileage and I got more familiar with the car, which is good.

Some things have changed in the Grand Prix weekend schedule. One of the biggest is qualifying. There are two qualifying sessions in 2005 instead of one. The first qualifying session is on Saturday and the second one on Sunday morning. I think that's a good thing for the sport. The fans at the track will be able to see something more than just the race on Sunday but for the TV audience it's also great, as they can watch even more Formula One on a Sunday. Some drivers think it's difficult to start the second qualifying session without having the chance to feel the car before going out but I don't really see that as a problem.

It'll be no surprise to you that I really can't wait for the race to begin. I've been looking forward to racing in Formula One for such a long time and now it's about to happen. Just one week to go and we're off!

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

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