I got interested in F1 first time when Leo Kinnunen entered F1. He was driving sport cars for Gulf, Mclaren, AAW Team and others and in 1974 he got an offer from John Surtees to get a leased Surtees TS16 with Cosworth DFV V8 engine. Kinnunen hated the car saying it is under powered piece of **** but because of courtesy to sponsors he and AAW did enter to races. Bernie Ecclestone wanted him to drive free for Brabham but he went back to sport cars to drive Porsche 917/30 for Martini.
After Kinnunen it took 4 years before next Finn entered to F1. He was Keke Rosberg. At first, when he was driving in poor teams, he earned himself a name Mr. Excuse. Finns expected him to win even there was no realistic possibility in inferior teams. Later in Williams he won WDC and he no longer was Mr. Excuse in Finland. After his racing career he became a manager bringing JJ Lehto and Mika Häkkinen to F1. No need to comment what they have accomplished. Keke was also a popular commentator in Finnish TV, teaming up with reporter Matti Kyllönen. Matti wasn't very technically oriented and I still remember him yelling: "THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM REAR OVERHANGS OF THE CAR". Keke calmly just said: "We professional call them exhaust pipes". They were fun to listen. After JJ Lehto there has been always at least one Finn in F1 and no more about that.
The reason I game to this forum is I can't see here such hatred and flame wars so many forums suffers. Instead here people express their opinions, giving reasons for their opinions and respecting each others opinions. Years ago I was a regular poster in usenet motorsport groups and there was really insults flying around that I started to avoid un-moderated groups. It looks now that moderated groups in usenet are dying and un-moderated are following behind and I don't miss them.
So I rise my hat to all of you
and wish interesting and eventful 2012 season.
