F1 - Kimi Raikkonen

Posted on 28/10/2010, 16:24 by: Ice Lady87

Kimi don't return in F1

Steve Robertson confirmed to MTV3 that he is negotiating a rally-contract for his protegé for the next season too. The comeback to F1 is a closed option at least when it comes to next season.

- We aren't looking for possibilities in F1 anymore. Kimi seems to be more concentrated on rally at this moment, Robertson told.

Has Kimi turned his back on F1 for good?

- Never say never but at the moment the eye is not on F1, Robertson said.

- Nothing has been decided yet. We will tell when we have something to tell. At the moment nothing has been signed. We are negotiating with several different teams but I can't go more into it, Robertson said.
Source: mtv 3 Translation: Nicole

Tags:: F1,; kimifuture

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (28/10/2010, 16:24)

Renault willing to meet with Raikkonen

Posted on 28/9/2010, 20:03 by: Ice Lady87

Renault willing to meet with Raikkonen

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 28th 2010, 08:42 GMT

Renault team principal Eric Boullier wants to meet face-to-face with Kimi Raikkonen to get a better understanding of how keen the Finn is to return to Formula 1, as the French manufacturer continues evaluating slotting him in alongside Robert Kubica in 2011.

As AUTOSPORT revealed after the Italian Grand Prix, Raikkonen and Renault made contact earlier this month to discuss the possibility of a tie-up for next year - with such a deal having been off the cards earlier this year.

And although Renault has made no secret of the fact that current driver Vitaly Petrov can still retain his seat if he shows signs of improvement, the outfit is still weighing up the pros and cons of taking Raikkonen.

But before it will consider entering serious negotiations with Raikkonen and his management team, Boullier has said he wants to know for sure that the former world champion is fully motivated for a comeback.

And to do that, Boullier thinks he must meet Raikkonen face-to-face so he can see for himself whether there is a genuine hunger to find F1 success with Renault.

"It is definitely getting closer to when we will make a decision," Boullier told AUTOSPORT. "But we really want to consider all of the options.

"I decided to tell some drivers that we will not carry on discussions with them, so we know wait and see - but Kimi remains one of our scenarios.

"I have said many times that I want to meet with him first before we do anything more. I want to understand more about his wish to come back."

With Petrov having made another qualifying mistake in Singapore, after spinning out of Q2 and damaging his car, Boullier admitted that he had not yet seen enough to convince him the Russian is the right man for his team in 2011.

"It is still frustrating because he keeps doing mistakes," explained Boullier. "We put a lot of pressure on him and definitely he was not on the pace on Friday but he was there on Saturday.

"He qualified 13th with a crash in Q2, so it was a strange situation. The race could have been good, but he opened up a little bit too much the door and [Nico] Hulkenberg did a kamikaze move on him. It is racing, and it was unfortunate."

When asked whether the decision on Petrov rested on commercial factors or performance, Boullier said: "It is definitely not a money issue. It is only the understanding for him to fit in F1 - and for us to give as much support as we ...

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Tags:: F1,; kimifuture,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (28/9/2010, 20:03)

Kimi's comeback would surprise his racing fellows

Posted on 25/9/2010, 12:59 by: Ice Lady87

Kimi's comeback would surprise his racing fellows

A year ago after Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari announced that they had broken the signed contract for this season with Kimi Räikkönen. Now they are pondering on Singapore paddock whether Räikkönen could switch back to F1 from rally in 2011.

Turun Sanomat asked about his chances from people who have worked with him and from people who had raced with him.

Peter Sauber was the team manager who hired the 21-year old Finnish talent straight from Formula Renault -serie to F1 in 2001. Sauber lifted up his hands when I asked him how realistic the thought of Räikkönen's comeback to F1 sounds.

– I have absolutely no idea, I really don't know. Of course it could be possible after one year in rally. Otherwise I wouldn't have hired Nick Heidfeld myself.

– Personally I would be very pleased if Kimi would come back. I like that guy. He is so different and talented, Sauber said.

Heidfeld was Räikkönen's first team mate. How does he react to the talks about Kimi's possible comeback?

– If Kimi would want it then I'm sure that he could do it without the smallest adjusting problems. I was away myself for a long time and I believe I can do it too.

– In any case Kimi's one year away is not the same as Michael Schumacher's three years, Heidfeld said.

Jenson Button was one of the young talents the family Robertson brought to F1 along with Räikkönen. Button does not think that he will see his racing fellow on GP-tracks anymore.

– I don't think that Kimi likes this sport so much that he would still come back. At least it didn't look like that last year. It would also be difficult because Kimi would of course only want to drive a good car.

– Kimi seems to enjoy it in rally and he even flies there at times. But if Kimi himself would want to come back then there wouldn't be any problem with that, he would drive just as he did before, Button says.

Chris Dyer worked as Räikkönen's race engineer in Ferrari when the duo made miracles in 2007 with winning the WDC.

Ferrari's strategist knows Räikkönen's skills and ability to adjust, but on the other hand he also knows about his love for rally.

– It would be a surprise if Kimi would come back to F1. You can see from his face how much he likes rally. I think the managers are more for the comeback than he is.

– In itself the return of a driver who is on Kimi's level would be easy. One year isn't much. It would also be ...

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Tags:: F1,; kimifuture

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (25/9/2010, 12:59)

Did Japan change Kimi's mind?

Posted on 17/9/2010, 17:36 by: Ice Lady87

Did Japan change Kimi's mind?

By Oskari Saari
17. syyskuuta 2010

Call me oldfashioned but I still have a few principles in my job. One of them is, unlike some of my colleagues have, not to claim having some 'inside information' when I haven't. I emphasize that the following text is more or less speculation.

After the disclaimer I must immediately ask why Kimi Räikkönen's name jumped up like a blobber again in the F1-speculations?

I disagree with Lauri Hollo who writes in his blog that every statement is twisted and turned into Kimi's possible comeback. Usually this is the case. Not this time. Now it's serious. Räikkönen's manager has admitted having discussions with Renault. Renault on the other hand has confirmed it.

Why now? Didn't Kimi just recently say as straight as one can say without saying: I've seen F1. I believe that Räikkönen didn't go to rally for only one year to begin with. All the side remarks about winning the championship in rally indicated that.

What if he has had enough of it in Japan? Räikkönen has drove off quite many times and the offs have not been under any top speed. Even though he has the talent for rally also, was it enough for Kimi? Did Räikkönen think that his pace will never be fast enough to stay up with Loeb, Latvala and Hirvonen?

Another theory: What if the co-driver has had enough?

Did the experienced co-driver Kaj Lindström get bored with getting a sore neck in almost every rally? Maybe with Kaitsu's age the job isn't that important anymore. What if he has got some remarks from his home frontier? Don't imagine even for a moment that human matters wouldn't influence in these things.

The third and most interesting theory: Did Red Bull get enough?

Helmut Marko's comments about Red Bull not getting market-wise what they wanted from Räikkönen's rally project would indicate that. What does it mean?

- If there is some sporting success then the market value is also in place. These things go hand in hand, Marko commented.

One might interpret the comment so that Red Bull doesn't want to put money in Kimi's team seat. In rally.

I predict that the next speculation will be Kimi's comeback to F1 especially to Red Bull. In F1 Kimi is a certain successor if the car is even nearly to his liking.

I see Räikkönen's comeback to F1 even more probable than a week ago. I hope Kimi returns. I still don't fully believe i...

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Tags:: F1,; JapanRally,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (17/9/2010, 17:36)

Raikkonen bids for 2011 Renault seat

Posted on 14/9/2010, 09:27 by: Ice Lady87

Raikkonen bids for 2011 Renault seat

By Jonathan Noble

Kimi Raikkonen is making a fresh bid to return to Formula 1 next year after approaching the Renault team for a drive in 2011, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Although it had looked likely that Raikkonen would remain in the World Rally Championship next year after his switch of discipline for this season, AUTOSPORT has learned that Raikkonen has renewed his interest in getting back to grand prix racing.

Sources have revealed that in the wake of Renault's impressive form at the Belgian Grand Prix, Raikkonen approached the French car manufacturer with the intent of putting a deal together.

It is not clear, however, whether Raikkonen spoke to Renault himself or if it was done through his management team.

Raikkonen has always insisted that he would only come back to F1 if he was in a competitive car - and that is something that Renault now appears to be able to offer him.

But despite Raikkonen's credentials, Renault is in no rush to advance talks with him - and it is still holding on for current driver Vitaly Petrov to prove he can deliver what the team is demanding of him.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed that Raikkonen had approached the team - and is in contention for a seat alongside Robert Kubica in 2011.

"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.

"He is on the radar because he contacted us."

Boullier has long said that the team will keep Petrov next year if the Russian can improve his consistency throughout a whole race weekend - and not make silly errors like his spin in qualifying in Spa and blocking Timo Glock in qualifying at Monza.

When asked what Petrov had to do to convince Renault that he is a better option than Raikkonen, Boullier said: "He is not very far away to be honest.

"It is still very complicated for him to have a complete weekend and be faultless, and that is where he needs to work and focus on, and develop clearly his commitment and dedication."

One of the attractions of Petrov is the commercial possibilities he opens up in Russia, and Boullier said Renault would have to change its approach if it decided to take the Raikkonen route.

"It would be a different strategy for the team," he said. "And that is not a question of personality or having a world champ...

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Tags:: F1,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (14/9/2010, 09:27)

Could Kimi return in F1 with Renault?

Posted on 2/9/2010, 16:35 by: Ice Lady87

Carmaker Renault Considers Buying Back F1 Team

French carmaker Renault SA is reportedly considering buying back a majority stake in the Formula One team that bears its name.

Amid the car sales crisis and economic downturn, and the damaging crashgate scandal, Renault sold a rumoured 85 per cent of the Enstone based team last year to Luxembourg-based investment firm Genii Capital.

With its new owners, Renault F1 has fared better than expected in 2010, culminating in Robert Kubica's strong performance and third podium of the season so far at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend.

Finland's Turun Sanomat claims that Renault SA's financial situation has dramatically improved to the point that the carmaker is interested in returning wholeheartedly to F1.

The rumour ties in with ongoing speculation, also once again alluded to at Spa by new team boss Eric Boullier, that Kimi Raikkonen could return to Formula One next year with Renault.

Source: www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=384784&FS=F1

Tags:: F1,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (2/9/2010, 16:35)

Sixty years of Autosport: 2007 and Kimi

Posted on 27/8/2010, 19:59 by: Ice Lady87

2007: SIXTY YEARS OF AUTOSPORT

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen beats Fernando Alonso and rookie Lewis Hamilton to the world championship by a single point • McLaren found guilty of spying on Ferrari and given $100 million fine • Robert Kubica survives massive Canadian GP crash • Alonso quits McLaren after a single season • Dario Franchitti wins Indy 500 and IndyCar title then departs for NASCAR • Sebastien Bourdais claims fourth straight Champ Car title in what would be the series' swansong • 1995 World Rally champion Colin McRae dies in a helicopter crash • F1 becomes single-tyre formula again after Michelin's exit leaves Bridgestone as sole supplier • 19-year-old Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest ever F1 points-scorer on debut as a stand-in with BMW in US GP • Toyota becomes first non-American NASCAR manufacturer • Timo Glock wins GP2 • Frank Biela and Emmanuele Pirro take fifth Le Mans victory, with Marco Werner who becomes a three-time winner for Audi • Peugeot re-enter Le Mans with a turbo-diesel prototype • Andy Priaulx completes hat-trick of World Touring Car Championship titles

Source: http://60years.autosport.com/?year=2007

Tags:: 2007,; F1

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (27/8/2010, 19:59)

Kimi: Vettel, the nicest guy in F1

Posted on 25/8/2010, 20:27 by: Ice Lady87

Vettel is the nicest guy of them all

The quiet Finn called his retirement from Formula 1 still as a "time out" and leaves it open whether and when we will see him back on the grid. Currently he enjoys to drive rally.

In SPOX Raikkonen talks about his fashion line, the rally Germany and his friend Sebastian Vettel.

SPOX: Mr. Raikkonen, what is it like to be a rally driver? What is different from Formula 1?
Kimi Raikkonen: It's simple: everything. They are two entirely different disciplines. In Formula 1, the conditions for testing or training is quite the same, here everything (in the conditions, ed) changes. Imagine testing the car even at -25 ° C.

SPOX: Sounds crazy, so you like it....
KR: Yes, I love it! It is a new challenge for me, the biggest of my racing carer. It is very, very exciting.

SPOX: That means, the Formula 1 fans are never again going to see you in a GP car?
KR: I would not say that. We'll see. First, let's take this season to end and then clarify some things. Then we'll see.

SPOX: Speaking about driving – is it actually easier for you to do asphalt rallies?
KR: Although I have driven in F1 many years, it does not help really, because the asphalt on permanent lines is completely different than the road surface here in the World Rally Championship. The dimensions are different, change the surface itself, the roads are bumpy and the grip levels are sometimes lousy. Around the next corner again it can be completely different. That's not the case in Formula 1.

SPOX: At the Rally Germany, you have landed at place seven. Satisfied with the result?
KR: Yes, Germany was in Formula 1 never a good ground for me, at the weekends everything never went well. It is good that in rally driving it now seems to be better. I actually just wanted to finish the race and gain experience.

SPOX: You didn't take anything good out of F1?
KR: Well, there were three great, unforgettable years at Ferrari and I won the World Championship crown with them. The time at McLaren was also great, although unfortunately never could together win the title. But now I am just a rally driver.

SPOX: What makes Ferrari so special?
KR: It is full of traditions, but also full of emotions. My time in Maranello was an intense mixture of incredible joy and difficult moments that we have welded together as a team, as a family. I'm not really the compatible type with the Italians, but we found a common emotional basis. I have always given everything for Ferrari and they have returned it to me m...

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Tags:: F1,; Vettel

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (25/8/2010, 20:27)

Never say never

Posted on 20/8/2010, 19:16 by: Ice Lady87

Never say never by Heikki Kulta

Kimi Räikkönen has just given a whole bunch of autographs to German fans. We are sitting in Citroen's lounge, just the two of us. In the afternoon Räikkönen let understand in MTV3's interview that his leaf in F1 would by this stage be already turned.

When I pressed him asking him if this was the final decision, the rally rookie makes faces, tosses and turns and almost whispers so uneasily that even the experts on exposing lies would most certainly not be convinced that the reply is truthful.

Of course the subject is difficult for the driver when there are no contracts - hardly even negotiations - about next season. At this moment continuing in rally is yet the option that interests him more.

It's as if he would have to choose between morning porridge with strawberry jam and sugar or just porridge. Rally would offer him sweetness for his whole belly even though the other option would offer remarkably more money.

Räikkönen has always been an individual with a strong will. A Finn who is stubborn and walks his own path, who bystanders can influence only by confirming the man's decision.

The old saying says 'never say never' - and you have reason to believe in this at this stage. The only thing that is certain is that Räikkönen doesn't drive his last year in rally but it's not yet certain if the rally career continues in 2011.

Big marketing powers are needed to bring alive Räikkönen's enthusiasm to drive in F1 again.

One year ago Räikkönen himself believed that he would be driving for Ferrari in F1. Everything changed during Aug-Sep.

It might still happen again. In the top of motorsport everything is always possible starting from injuries to surprising firings.

Trier/Heikki Kulta

Source: Turun Sanomat
English: Nicole

Tags:: F1,; Kulta

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (20/8/2010, 19:16)

Raikkonen interview from Motorsport Aktuell

Posted on 16/8/2010, 15:10 by: Ice Lady87

Raikkonen interview from Motorsport Aktuell

You hardly lack variety, after snow and gravel you had your first WRC rally on tarmac. Satisfied?
Generally yes, our speed was good. Okay, it was disappointing though that we didn’t finish were we could have been, in the top 4. But most important was that we learned much again. On the second and third day it wasn’t easy to have the same motivation than in the beginning when we were fighting for the top places. Altogether I’m still happy.

Is the time difference to Sebastien Loeb like you expected it?
It was the first time that I did a tarmac rally against Loeb. How should I have an exact idea what to expect? On some places we were not so far off.

As an ex-F1 driver you certainly feel more comfortable on tarmac. Are you working there already more on details?
The difference is not that big although I feel more home on asphalt. But rally driving is and will remain something totally different to circuit races. When we set up the rally car it is the same procedure. You handle a programme, no matter if it’s gravel or tarmac. I’m still lacking the experience in rally. That’s why I not only trust my feeling but also listen to the tips of the team.

Is rally after half a season still passion or already daily business?
No, I still have a lot to learn, so it’s rather not daily business. I like driving rallies, it’s a great challenge for me.

How far are you with your process of learning?
Still at the beginning. In rally there is nothing like experience. Everything is very complex, that can’t be learned in some months.

In which areas you see most likely room for improvement?
Everywhere, really. Everything is new for me, I’m learning all the time. One fundamental point we have to work on is the notes. That’s something which doesn’t exist on the circuit but in rally sport it’s an important factor of success. With the right notes you can gain a lot of speed.

And where you have improved the most?
I don’t think that there is this one point. The point is to improve everything together, the whole package – to learn as much as possible. I feel now much stronger than at the beginning of the season, in all areas. But we have to continue working and learning.

Are there things in the rally championship you imagined differently?
No, basically everything is like I expected it. From last year I had a bit of experience, so I could imagine how things will come. But if you want to improve only experience counts. A circuit you can learn in some hours, with rally that will take much longer.
...

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Tags:: F1,; WRC

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (16/8/2010, 15:10)

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I risultati di Kimi nel Mondiale Rally 2011

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