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Raikkonen, Massa free to duel
08/01/2007 14:34 - (SA)
Rome - Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will be trying to beat each other this Formula One season.
"It will be a healthy competition between two drivers that could create great results," Ferrari team director Jean Todt said in Monday's edition of Corriere Della Sera.
"We will be very careful to make sure that this internal rivalry does not become counterproductive. The interests of Ferrari are what is most important, and Raikkonen and Massa know this law very well."
Raikkonen is replacing the retired seven-time champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari this season. Massa is entering his second season with the team.
During Schumacher's 11 years with Ferrari, the team's second driver was often relegated to a support role. At the Austrian Grand Prix in 2002, Rubens Barrichello was ordered by the team to move aside on the final straight and let Schumacher win.
Schumacher remains with the team as a special adviser.
"We intend to take advantage of his knowledge and experience, which I maintain that only he has in the world," Todt said of Schumacher.
Ferrari is holding its annual winter retreat in Madonna di Campiglio this week. The team's 2007 car will be presented Sunday and tested for the first time by Massa on January 15 at the team's track in Fiorano.
Raikkonen will get his first drive behind the wheel of a Ferrari on January 21. at Mugello.
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Rugby
