Montmelo, 12 May

There were telephonic shenanigans before the Spanish Grand Prix podium ceremony. While Stefano Domenicali was climbing the steps along with the drivers, he knew he had an urgent mission to complete, namely calling President Montezemolo. The first, traditional call made every day at the end of every session or race between the two men had already been dealt with, but the Team Principal knew how keen Montezemolo was to congratulate his two drivers, without having to wait for them to return to the motorhome after the prizegiving and the obligatory press conferences. The Presidential joy knew no bounds at Fernando Alonso’s triumph and for Felipe’s fantastic race, which confirmed that the team had pulled together to do the best job seen so far this season.

The scene was caught on camera by FOM who had switched the microphone on, so everything Montezemolo, Domenicali and the drivers said was broadcast for all to hear, much to the amusement of Kimi Raikkonen, who clearly remembered similar conversations during his three years spent in red.