Raikkonen hints at Ferrari departure!!!!!
Posted by micky-cannonball
Kimi Raikkonen on Friday admitted for the first time the possibility he will leave Ferrari at the end of the season. Although his potential departure has been linked with a full-time switch to rallying, the Finn said no matter what happens, he is staying in Formula One.
"If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," he is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "It's not a problem. Other teams want me."
His comments coincide with increasing speculation that Ferrari has now signed a contract with Fernando Alonso and needs to part with either of its existing contracted drivers for 2010: Raikkonen, or the recovering Felipe Massa.
It is believed an amicable split between Ferrari and Raikkonen is likely, but it will cost the Italian team millions as his engagement next year would have earned him in excess of $45m.
"I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract," he added.
Alonso's move would obviously create a gap at Renault, but arguably the better vacant seat is at McLaren, who are openly considering parting with Heikki Kovalainen.
It may have been a Freudian slip, but the BBC quoted team boss Martin Whitmarsh as saying at Valencia last weekend: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough."
Lewis Hamilton was asked on Friday about the prospect of having a new team-mate, but deflected the question in the direction of his bosses before remarking that he's "happy with Heikki".
Raikkonen drove for McLaren between 2002 and 2006.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
"If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," he is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "It's not a problem. Other teams want me."
His comments coincide with increasing speculation that Ferrari has now signed a contract with Fernando Alonso and needs to part with either of its existing contracted drivers for 2010: Raikkonen, or the recovering Felipe Massa.
It is believed an amicable split between Ferrari and Raikkonen is likely, but it will cost the Italian team millions as his engagement next year would have earned him in excess of $45m.
"I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract," he added.
Alonso's move would obviously create a gap at Renault, but arguably the better vacant seat is at McLaren, who are openly considering parting with Heikki Kovalainen.
It may have been a Freudian slip, but the BBC quoted team boss Martin Whitmarsh as saying at Valencia last weekend: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough."
Lewis Hamilton was asked on Friday about the prospect of having a new team-mate, but deflected the question in the direction of his bosses before remarking that he's "happy with Heikki".
Raikkonen drove for McLaren between 2002 and 2006.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
I hope he remains in F1 somewhere, but it would be particularly nice to see him in a race winning car once again.
But anyway, I think he is just playing with the media with that quote.
X (@ed24f1)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2009 11:48AM by SchueyFan.
But anyway, I think he is just playing with the media with that quote.
X (@ed24f1)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2009 11:48AM by SchueyFan.
Clearly Kimi's coming to V8 Supercars... or maybe heading to DTM... or Nascar... or going to play County Cricket... or planning on getting pole positions with Force India... 
Would be great to see him at McLaren again - as much as it was great to see him win at Ferrari in my mind he'll always be a 'McLaren driver' just because he was there so long
Would be great to see him at McLaren again - as much as it was great to see him win at Ferrari in my mind he'll always be a 'McLaren driver' just because he was there so long
He said ferrari will be his last team, any other site confirming thats what he said?
DJSKYLINE Wrote:
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> He said ferrari will be his last team, any other
> site confirming thats what he said?
That means nothing, really.
He said that in 2007 i think, maybe 2008 - times can change very quickly in F1.
X (@ed24f1)
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> He said ferrari will be his last team, any other
> site confirming thats what he said?
That means nothing, really.
He said that in 2007 i think, maybe 2008 - times can change very quickly in F1.
X (@ed24f1)
if rosberg isn't goign to macca, surely macca bound?
macca return or brawn. but brawn wouldn't want a part timer, if kimi is to leave any time soon.
id have thought brawn was a target for a role like a long term kubica/rosberg deal.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
macca return or brawn. but brawn wouldn't want a part timer, if kimi is to leave any time soon.
id have thought brawn was a target for a role like a long term kubica/rosberg deal.
I hope in 3rd car.......kimi, felipe and fernando......
but yesterday in Italy , in a interview Domenicali told that it's possible MIchael Schumacher come back with 3rd car...and for the next year the team will be kimi and felipe ( if he is will be ok) becuase Alonso has a contract from 2011.....
but yesterday in Italy , in a interview Domenicali told that it's possible MIchael Schumacher come back with 3rd car...and for the next year the team will be kimi and felipe ( if he is will be ok) becuase Alonso has a contract from 2011.....Do Ferrari actually have any idea what/who they want for '10?
I dont think Kimi wants to leave right now, and if not then how can Ferrari break his contract? And how could they afford to pay Kimi off, and pay for 2 expensive drivers?
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
I dont think Kimi wants to leave right now, and if not then how can Ferrari break his contract? And how could they afford to pay Kimi off, and pay for 2 expensive drivers?
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
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The trouble for kimi at the moment is that there is no one obvious team that will be guaranteed to provide him with a race-winning car next season. McLaren are an option but I personally can not see it, Kimi's far too independent to go back to the straightjackets of Hamilton's team. I think he would fit in well at RedBull but of course that is no longer an option, Renault? They would almost certainly build the team around Kimi but look shaky in terms of their future in the sport, same with Toyota. Brawn, if they get bought by Mercedes as rumours suggest, might be a more viable option.
There is always the possibility however that Massa won't return to racing and that kimi will stay on...
There is always the possibility however that Massa won't return to racing and that kimi will stay on...
Ferrari also released a full fax release saying that Schumacher would not drive for them in 1996, but it happened.
I won't be fully convinced either way until it is announced.
X (@ed24f1)
I won't be fully convinced either way until it is announced.
X (@ed24f1)
Monza972 Wrote:
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> Well we only have 2weeks to find out. However,
> they COULD be announcing that Alonso is going to
> Ferrari but in 2011 with Kimi not getting an
> extension on his contract. Tbh, I go back on my
> word and agree with JoeSatriani here, Kimi usually
> does great after a bad season and now with 3
> consecutive podiums... He's confuzzling Ferrari
> now.
There'll be more speculation about this than anything else between now and Monza I think. The next few weeks will be momentous in Ferrari land. Kimi has certainly put himself back in the picture with his win today, and his last two drives as well. He can't be dropped on account of his performance now without Ferrari making themselves look really silly over it.
What'll happen with Kimi? Will Massa make a successful return next year? When will Alonso be announced, and when will he join the team? Will Schumacher still return later this year, and if he does could it lead to him driving full-time next year?
This is crazy!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2009 11:33PM by EC83.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well we only have 2weeks to find out. However,
> they COULD be announcing that Alonso is going to
> Ferrari but in 2011 with Kimi not getting an
> extension on his contract. Tbh, I go back on my
> word and agree with JoeSatriani here, Kimi usually
> does great after a bad season and now with 3
> consecutive podiums... He's confuzzling Ferrari
> now.
There'll be more speculation about this than anything else between now and Monza I think. The next few weeks will be momentous in Ferrari land. Kimi has certainly put himself back in the picture with his win today, and his last two drives as well. He can't be dropped on account of his performance now without Ferrari making themselves look really silly over it.
What'll happen with Kimi? Will Massa make a successful return next year? When will Alonso be announced, and when will he join the team? Will Schumacher still return later this year, and if he does could it lead to him driving full-time next year?
This is crazy!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2009 11:33PM by EC83.
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