Renault - Kimi Raikkonen

Kuvaja: Kimi Raikkonen did not like the behaviour of Renault

Posted on 12/10/2010, 20:48 by: Ice Lady87

Kuvaja: Kimi Raikkonen did not like the behaviour of Renault

Riku Kuvaja told that Räikkönen got upset over Renault's unfair behaviour.

- Kimi wasn't upset over it for long. It just wasn't gentlemanlike behaviour. It's not right to use an outsider for own purposes, Kuvaja said.

Has Kimi been in contact with Renault over this matter?

- No.

Did this now ensure that Kimi will continue in rally?

- He has many options. When we know more we will tell what Kimi is going to do.
Translated by Nicole

Tags:: kimifuture,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (12/10/2010, 20:48)

Renault rejects Raikkonen's claims

Posted on 7/10/2010, 17:26 by: Ice Lady87

Renault rejects Raikkonen's claims

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, October 7th 2010, 06:44 GMT

Renault has hit back at Kimi Raikkonen's claims that it 'used' his name to try and boost its image - as the team insisted it had been totally transparent in its dealings with the former world champion.

Raikkonen spoke out earlier this week by saying he was '100 per cent' sure he would not race for Renault in 2011 despite having been in contact with the team - and expressed his disappointment that the team had talked up its link with him.

However, Renault team principal Eric Boullier has rubbished Raikkonen's suggestions that it was trying to play the media by talking about the Finn's interest - as he insisted his comments to the press over the past few weeks had merely been honest responses to questions.

"We have not piggy-backed on Kimi's image at all, which is what he has been claiming in the press," Boullier told AUTOSPORT in Japan.

"We were contacted by his managers after Spa. They wanted to enter into discussions and at that time we said: 'Please wait. Yes, we are very flattered that you have contacted us, but we need to finish the evaluation of Vitaly's [Petrov] potential and from that point, when we have our own conclusion, we will get back to you.' There was nothing else.

"Since then, I had not got back to them because we had not finished the evaluation of the potential of Vitaly and there was nothing else to say. I never used the media, and I don't see the benefit of telling to the media that Kimi is interested and chasing us. What would be the purpose of this?

"At the end, there was clearly a big interest in the media and during the last week the media kept reporting about our contact. I guess it was because there was nothing else to report, and I guess Kimi got upset to have all this in the press.

"But I always stuck to my word – and when it was public I was fair and courteous. Yes we were flattered to be contacted but I didn't say anything else. Now, I think it is clear for me, and clear for him, and this is the end of the discussion."

Boullier admitted that he had been a little surprised about the aggressive tone of Raikkonen's comments against Renault – and said that the whole saga had actually been difficult for himself too.

"You cannot be disappointed in his comment, but I do not understand why be aggressive and accuse us of something. I would never chase the media to explain them something like this – w...

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Tags:: kimifuture,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (7/10/2010, 17:26)

Raikkonen rules out Renault F1 seat

Posted on 6/10/2010, 18:14 by: Ice Lady87

Raikkonen rules out Renault F1 seat

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, October 6th 2010, 08:08 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen has ruled out making a return to Formula 1 with Renault next year, despite being linked with the team for several weeks.

The Finn had been in contact with the French car manufacturer after the Belgian Grand Prix in August, and Renault chiefs were considering putting a deal together with the former champion if he could prove he was motivated for a comeback.

However, even before talks between the two parties got serious, Raikkonen has made it clear he is not interested in what Renault has to offer - and has expressed some unhappiness that the team has talked up its link with him.

Speaking to Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Raikkonen said: "I am very disappointed with how they have used my name for their own marketing. I have never even seriously considered driving for Renault, and I can assure you that I am 100 per cent sure that I will not drive for Renault next season."

Only this week, Renault team principal Eric Boullier said his outfit had been encouraged by the fact that Raikkonen had been in touch with it.

When asked by the official Formula 1 website if it was flattering that Raikkonen had been in contact, Boullier: "Yes, it is because it shows that the work we've done this season is noticed and that we are considered a challenger for the championship in the future."

Raikkonen's decision not to pursue the Renault option now makes it almost certain that Vitaly Petrov will be retained by the team - although the Russian still needs to show improved form to guarantee his slot with the outfit.
Source: autosport

Tags:: kimifuture,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (6/10/2010, 18:14)

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)

Renault eyes Raikkonen but also Petrov's sponsors

Posted on 21/9/2010, 17:05 by: Ice Lady87

Renault eyes Raikkonen but also Petrov's sponsors

Date 2010-09-21

By Motorsport.com/GMM

Kimi Raikkonen is the famous name now linked with Renault for 2011, but Vitaly Petrov is still valued by the team, owner Gerard Lopez insists.

The 2007 world champion's possible interest in driving alongside Robert Kubica has stirred the news headlines, but Lopez is still hopeful the Russian rookie Petrov is a winning formula from a business point of view.

"We have to push our team to succeed because we use the platform to do business," he is quoted by sportbusiness.com.

"People like to do business with winning teams, so it goes hand in hand. It's even more important now to build the team, to use that platform for the business side of it," added Lopez.

Petrov has already attracted the Russian carmaker Lada to the livery of the R30, and on Tuesday it emerged that another Russian sponsor has joined the team.

But Vyborg Shipyard JSC, based in Petrov's home town, has only signed up for the five remaining races of 2010 -- beyond that, the Russian star's future is clouded.

If Raikkonen really is an option for Renault in 2011, Petrov's departure or otherwise will likely be a commercial consideration, Lopez admits.

"And he's a good driver," he insisted.

"On top of all that, he is a driver that has 250 million Russian-speaking people that are convinced in him, so we'd be stupid not to assume that there is a business behind that," added Lopez.

Tags:: GerardLopez,; Petrov,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (21/9/2010, 17:05)

Commercial side key to Raikkonen fate

Posted on 17/9/2010, 20:41 by: Ice Lady87

Commercial side key to Raikkonen fate

By Jonathan Noble Friday, September 17th 2010, 16:24 GMT

Renault F1 chairman Gerard Lopez says Kimi Raikkonen's approach to the team will not sway it from making a decision on its 2011 line-up based on what makes most sense commercially.

Although the signing of a former world champion would be a big boost to Renault's aspirations of fighting for the title next year, Lopez says that the outfit will not be blinded by the prospects of being able to lure a star name like Raikkonen back to F1.

In an exclusive interview with AUTOSPORT, Lopez said that it was far too early to suggest the outfit was keen to pursue the Raikkonen option - and his team still had to balance out the financial attractions of having a driver like Vitaly Petrov against the benefits of paying for a big-name star.

"It's funny because people now think things are going well and we're going to change drivers," he said. "There's a certain rally driver that wasn't interested in Formula 1 but now has made contact and is interested in coming back to F1, funnily enough with us, but we're not there yet."

Lopez says that the team's decision on its second driver will still be motivated by financial factors - as the outfit seeks the levels of sponsorship and investment that it believes it will need to fight for the title next year.

"It's very important, " he said when asked if financial considerations were still important. "As I said, we use Formula 1, and we have to push our team to succeed because we use the platform to do business. And you know, it's a question of image.

"People like to do business with winning teams, so it goes hand in hand. For us still, the main consideration in this outside of Eric's [Boullier] mission and the team's mission to start winning races again, is the business one. And it has become more important now that we've solidified the team, that we've found the sponsors, that we're bringing the sponsors, that we're doing whatever needs to be done.

"It's even more important now to build the team, to use that platform for the business side of it. And the fact that we're doing more and more deals with companies that come through Renault Formula 1 because we provide other things, I think it's even more important for 2011 than it was for 2010. In 2010 we had to rebuild. In 2011 we can focus on business."

Although the sponsorship opportunities that came from signing Vitaly Petrov at the be...

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Tags:: GerardLopez,; Renault

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (21/9/2010, 16:53)

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 manager confirms Renault talks

Posted on 16/9/2010, 09:57 by: Ice Lady87

Raikkonen manager confirms Renault talks

Kimi Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson
Sep.16 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen’s manager has confirmed he contacted Renault about the 2007 world champion returning to formula one next season.

Earlier this week, the reports did not reveal whether it was his management team or the Finn himself who approached team boss Eric Boullier about being Robert Kubica’s 2011 teammate.

“It’s true, I spoke with Boullier,” Steve Robertson told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

Raikkonen, 30, switched from Ferrari to world rallying for 2010, and it had been expected that he would continue his new challenge for at least another year.

But according to the well-respected Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio, Raikkonen is aiming to maintain his high income for 2011, given that his Ferrari contract finally runs out soon.

Said Robertson: “We want to explore all the possible options for next year. Kimi and I asked Renault what is the situation.”

Turun Sanomat reporter Heikki Kulta insists the most possible outcome for Raikkonen in 2011 is a continuation of his rallying foray.

“There are all sorts of rumours,” Robertson continued. “I’ve even heard that Kimi could go to NASCAR, but that is definitely not an option.”

In the event that Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel win the 2010 championship, Raikkonen’s return to F1 could push the number of world champions on the 2011 grid to an impressive six.

Source: www.yallaf1.com/2010/09/16/raikkone...-renault-talks/

Tags:: Renault,; SteveRobertson

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Last Post by: Ice Lady87 (16/9/2010, 09:57)

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)

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