Latest on MJJC

Formule 1

Im not saying kimi isnt a good driver because of course he is he only won the championship a few years agon but i totally love hamiltons style its soo good to watch dont want to watch cars going round and round following the leader for me it makes it soo exciting

Ferrari did seems like they gave up think the kers system thing with few other things must of done it for them but no matter what team you are in force india or ferrari the driver has to keep trying and give his best if he wants to be racing F1 the following season

but this is a sport as football or cricket everyone has a preference/favourite team/player/racer and i respect your choice
 
The One. said:
Räikkönen negotiating about move to rally

A reliable source has told MTV3 that F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen has been negotiating with rally team Citroën.

- They have been in contact with us and asked the possibilities to drive a few rallies next year, Petter Solberg's team boss Ken Reese confirmed to MTV3.
Click to expand...

Haha I'm tired of these "reliable sources" and the article says that "possibilities to drive a few rallies next year"... so it means beside F1, when he has time. :wink:

So the title of the article is not that accurate IMO.

Motsey said:
erm... not really im a guy so wouldnt go on looks i know he won it on 2007 but last season he was so poor :agree:eek:k maybe it was the car but I would prefer hamilton and button not just because there britts but also great drivers hamilton is so exciting to watch with his aggresive and at times crazy driving and button well he just won the champion that says it all but we will see how he gets on without the tactical skills of brawn who is a master n helped schumacher win soo many championships plus F1 is all change next season with loads of new rules so we will have to see but it should be exciting still
Click to expand...

I respect your opinion but please don't come here and say that we like Kimi because of his looks. You have to know that I started to like his driving and his style first back in 2005, I didn't even know how he looked like!!! After I saw a picture about him, I was like... well it's a bonus! I like his looks, I won't lie, but as long as he has his helmet on then no way I would think about his face, just about racing and racing!!!

Also, we can't compare Hamilton, Button and Räikkönen! One thing is in common: they are world champions of F1. I would say Hamilton is extra lucky to have a seat at McLaren from his first day in F1. Comparing to Kimi who has suffered 5 years without winning any WDC with McLaren though he had his chances... but everybody knows (even Kimi haters) that it was the car and the reliability why he couldn't win any back then. As for Button, sorry but I wouldn't rate him so high. I would say that Hamilton is a very very good but aggressive driver, Kimi is a very very good and smooth driver but Button is after them in talent IMO. He had a fantastic car this year and a fantastic team principal. That's why I find it rather ugly from him that he doesn't want to stay with them (at least that's what the articles say). Afterall that is the team with which he became world champion, hadn't there been this team... he would never ever become one, that's sure!

Please, do not say that Kimi's season was poor. If you compare his performance with Hamilton then I would say that he was better than Hamilton. They had almost the same amount of points: Ferrari stopped the development of the F60 while McLaren continued the development of their car. So, Kimi has collected the points with a car which was not good enough for podiums, or for a win!!!! Just look at the other Ferrari drivers, Badoer was the last one in Spa while Kimi won that race... and what about Fisichella, he couldn't get any point in that car!!!

That's my opinion. :)
 
OK, haters, go bash Kimi even more...

That's the end.

Good bye, Kimi, good bye, F1!!!:cry::angry:

Räikkönen take sabbatical in 2010

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.
Raikkonen said last month that, in the wake of being released from his Ferrari contract, his only option to remain in F1 was with McLaren - because he wanted to be guaranteed a top-line grand prix car.
However, amid increasing speculation that Jenson Button is on his way to the British team, Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson revealed on Tuesday night that discussions with McLaren had come to an end.
"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
"A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship. F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer - doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of."
AUTOSPORT understands that there were several stumbling blocks to a deal being completed with McLaren prior to the team finding out that Button was available and interested.
As well as a difference of opinion about wages, Raikkonen and McLaren were believed to not be in agreement about the number of sponsorship appearance days he should do, or about how free he was to do rallies.
With Raikkonen only interested in returning to F1 in a race-winning car, his best option for 2011 would appear to lie with Red Bull Racing - which has a theoretical vacancy for 2011 with Mark Webber currently only contracted until the end of next year.
Although it is not clear what Raikkonen will do next year, it is possible that he will focus his efforts on the World Rally Championship – while he sorts out an F1 return. Red Bull could be involved in his rally plans too.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80187

I miss him already so much!!!!
sad0120.gif


But, at least that's comforting to know that he will do what he likes. Kimi was too good for F1...

So, 2009 is a nightmare for a MJ fan and is a nightmare for a Kimi fan. Fine.

I just can't believe this happening...

This year, I have to survive that Michael Jackson is dead. I have been supporting him for 20 years now (and will be his fan forever).

Later came these awful times for Kimi... racing in F1 or retire (a forced retirement).

I couldn't believe until the last moment that it would happen that he would end his F1 career like this. Such a talented driver, such a great personality, such an amazing gentleman...

I really really don't understand. So many mediocre drivers have good cars, winning cars for 2010! Where is Kimi?!?!?

I know I have to be strong but now I'm so weak. MJ and Kimi mean a lot, a lot to me!!!! More than anything after my family members.

They have given me so many beautiful memories, so many wonderful times, they were/are my inspiration....

and what now?!

Should I live in the past? With MJ's music and Kimi's F1 moments?

I know that Kimi will keep shining in WRC maybe... but still

This is so heartbreaking for me. Please, try to understand me. I have to talk about this right now otherwise I would explode of anger and sadness.

One thing is for sure, I'm not going to watch F1 next year! Maybe, maybe Kimi would come back in 2011... (I doubt it, though)

I hope that Monza - which I've seen live - was not the last F1 podium for him.:angel:
 
:cry: Aww, I understand Kinga :better:
This year really sucks! How cruel can life be, huh. It's so unfair that Kimi was forced to this situation, feels like no one there realizes how talented he is! To take Button instead of Kimi???? Their interests are somewhere else than winning races..

I hope so much that Kimi will return to F1 after next season, I hope it so much. He needs to show all the doubters what he is aboout. He needs to show them that he is the best damn driver in F1. Though, it doesn't really matter what they think, at least to me.

*sigh*

Awful, awful year. I wish it would end already.
 
The One. said:
I hope so much that Kimi will return to F1 after next season, I hope it so much.
Click to expand...

I hope it too but I doubt it so much. He would realise how free he can be without F1 very soon. But, maybe his racing blood would tell him to drive in F1 more!

According to Heikki Kulta Kimi said once to him that his goal is to be the first one who has both F1 WDC and Rally WDC! Be it Kimi, be a Rally Champ too!!!

F1 will loose a lot of fans I think. A lot of fans will start supporting rally instead of F1, me included. Just because of Kimi! :) I liked to see some footages about rally before though I didn't know anything about this sport but I was so excited to see Kimi driving there! Yeah!:dancin:
 
This is it now. I gotta say I cry now. :(

And yeah, I am still guy and straight. This has been the best and the worst year this far. Blame it on Ferrari! Why in the blue hell did they let Kimi go? This isn't fair!

But yeah. I'd say this is the best for Kimi to do because he'll get more cash without driving Formulas and now he can drive rally. I wish the best for Kimi and it seems like this is the best choise even if he can't do what he wants to (expect rally).

I don't know should I watch formulas anymore. What about Kovalainen? Is he going to drive?
 
Kinga said:
So, 2009 is a nightmare for a MJ fan and is a nightmare for a Kimi fan. Fine.

I just can't believe this happening...

This year, I have to survive that Michael Jackson is dead. I have been supporting him for 20 years now (and will be his fan forever).

Later came these awful times for Kimi... racing in F1 or retire (a forced retirement).
Click to expand...
I agree completely, what an awful year so far :(
Another major setback for me was that Schumacher cancelled his comeback, another disappointment this year :(
But I am grateful for witnessing Kimi and Ferrari's win live at Francorchamps..

Let's hope Kimi will miss F1 so much that he will be back soon :)
 
Aww dont be too upset he might be back another season and it looks like he wanted to be a ralley driver and might have alot of sucess there and really enjoy him self there away from all the bs/stress that comes with F1 and "keeping the advertisers happy"
This is better then him totally retiring and leaving the sport for good right?
 
Evilman said:
I don't know should I watch formulas anymore. What about Kovalainen? Is he going to drive?
Click to expand...
Me either! :no: I would not want to stop watching F1 because I still like it but when there's no Kimi, and if no Heikki either.. I don't know... this sucks.

Motsey said:
This is better then him totally retiring and leaving the sport for good right?
Click to expand...
Sure, that's true but honestly I don't like rally that much. F1 is like the king of the motorsports and I'm just not so interested in rally even if Kimi drives there. I will of course support him there and I really wish he becomes the first driver to win championship in both (that would be amazing!) but I think I won't be watching the races..
 
Motsey said:
Aww dont be too upset he might be back another season and it looks like he wanted to be a ralley driver and might have alot of sucess there and really enjoy him self there away from all the bs/stress that comes with F1 and "keeping the advertisers happy"
This is better then him totally retiring and leaving the sport for good right?
Click to expand...

Yeah, you are right a little bit. With Kimi you can expect that more racing will come after F1, for many years. So many F1 drivers left racing for good after F1. But, you know, he's just 30, he didn't want to retire from F1, at least not now and not this way. That's what upsets us I think. I wouldn't have problem with his retiring after expiring his contract with Ferrari in 2010. But now he was forced by his team (with which he became world champion!!!!) to leave. They let him very little time to negotiate about his future so looking back it's not a surprise that he decided this way.

Of course for Kimi rallying is much more comfortable because there's not much politics and PR. I have seen his face during the rallies he tried so far. He was so happy like a kid who got his favourite present, his eyes were shining, he smiled a lot and was very very relaxed. He was not like in F1 at all. At that time I thought it would be much better for him "there" in rally. Though I still think that he has unfinished business in F1. With his talent he could have achieved much much more had he been luckier.
 
Kinga said:
Yeah, you are right a little bit. With Kimi you can expect that more racing will come after F1, for many years. So many F1 drivers left racing for good after F1. But, you know, he's just 30, he didn't want to retire from F1, at least not now and not this way. That's what upsets us I think. I wouldn't have problem with his retiring after expiring his contract with Ferrari in 2010. But now he was forced by his team (with which he became world champion!!!!) to leave. They let him very little time to negotiate about his future so looking back it's not a surprise that he decided this way.
Click to expand...
Excactly that's what bugs me, too. I didn't want his F1 career to end this way, and I think Kimi didn't want it either.

BUT . . . what you think about this?


Manager: Mercedes - contract possible

Kimi Raikkonen would be willing to consider a race seat at Mercedes Grand Prix next season - but only if the team could convince him it will be good enough to fight for race wins and the world championship.

Raikkonen is currently facing the prospect of taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year after he could not reach an agreement with his preferred option McLaren for a drive alongside Lewis Hamilton. With his talks there stalled, McLaren instead completed a deal with Jenson Button.

Although Raikkonen said recently that it was McLaren or nothing for him in F1 next year, Button's shock exit from the former Brawn GP team may have changed the situation.

Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that although a sabbatical remained the most likely outcome, the 2007 world champion would listen to any offer that Mercedes made if it was interested.

"This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship, then never say never," Robertson told AUTOSPORT about the situation with Mercedes GP. "There is always a possibility."

He added: "There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money.

"Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races and challenge for the championship.

"When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races."

Robertson said that Raikkonen had the desire to compete at the top level in F1 and that even if he went off and did rallying for a year, he would definitely work hard to find a seat with a front-running F1 team for 2011.

When asked if Raikkonen had the hunger to get back into F1, Robertson said: "Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal.

"Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80215
 
^^ hihi, I wouldn't mind it!!!! and that's an understatement!!!

Yesterday I just laughed at this ... but now... when Kimi's manager talked about this also... well... who knows?! The rumours this year became reality!

Mercedes GP would be much better than McLaren:

1. Ross Brawn - the BRAIN of F1
2. Mercedes engine
3. they are the world champions, so they have a competitive car with which one can win a championship (at least it seems so now)
4. Kimi would have Rosberg as a team mate and not Hamster, much much better
5. Norbert Haug is a Kimi fan girl :D
6. they have more money now - I would think - than McLaren

Gooooooooooooo Kimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii and sign with Mercedes GP!!!! woohooo :dancin:

I would say that Kimi said only McLaren or nothing in F1. But things have changed dramatically after the Mercedes move! So... anything can happen.

Do you really think that Mercedes wants Heidfeld there? They have a super car, a super team-principal. It's obvious that they need a super driver and the only top driver who is available is Kimi! That would be a match made in heaven!

Although, let's be realistic... it's not so sure... but ... "it ain't over till it's over" - that's what Kimi said when he won the WDC.
 
Kimi said he'll skip next year. But there's still time left to say something else. But we'll see. Everything is possible in world of Formulas.
 
I'm confused! :(

Exclusive Kimi Raikkonen Q&A - I want to win another title


For months it’s been merely an option. Now it looks set to become a reality. Kimi Raikkonen will take a one-year sabbatical from Formula One racing in 2010, to bridge the gap from one competitive car to another - or so he hopes. Some fear the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may have been the Finn’s last race, and that would be a shame - seeing a great character leave the paddock with no further ado. Then again, the ‘Iceman’ can usually be relied on to surprise…

Q: Kimi, we learned yesterday that you are thinking of taking a year off from Formula One racing. What is the state of affairs?
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, that appears to be the case. I could not agree terms with McLaren so I have decided to take a one-year sabbatical.

Q: You always said that your staying in Formula One was dependant on having a competitive car. Presumably you now feel this is not achievable for 2010?
KR: Yes. I felt McLaren offered the best opportunity to win races and challenge for the drivers’ championship and if that would not work the one-year break is the result. And to be honest, I will only return in 2011 if a competitive drive is available.

Q: What would you do in that year off? Rallying? Look for other talents lurking within you?
KR: I do not know yet. I will look at competing in rallying. Again, naturally I want to drive a competitive car. If not I will spend more time with my family and friends.

Q: And how convinced are you that you will be back in 2011? Couldn’t going now mean the end of your Formula One career? Are you ready for that?
KR: As I said, I will only return in 2011 if I can drive a competitive car. I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But there’s a lot of time until then, so let’s wait and see what happens in the months ahead.

Q: The McLaren route is now blocked following their signing of Jenson Button. What brought your negotiations with them to a halt?
KR: My management held many meetings with McLaren. Unfortunately, certain issues could not be resolved. We knew in the last three or four days that it would be highly unlikely a deal could be reached. Now we know it is definite.

Q: What about moving to the newly formed Mercedes GP team? Have you put out any feelers towards Brackley?
KR: No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved.

Q: There was a lot of speculation concerning the role salary played in Button’s switch to McLaren - and lots of reports suggesting the same team were unwilling to meet your pay demands. What is your position on bargaining for salary?
KR: I feel a good driver can make a bigger difference nowadays. If you look at how close the whole grid was this year, if a driver can lap two-tenths faster that is worth many positions on the grid. That could easily be the difference between winning and losing.

Q: 2009 was your ninth season in Formula One racing. Have you achieved what you wanted? Your Ferrari successor Alonso was quoted as saying that after Ferrari he will quit, because after Ferrari any other team is a step down. So you could go out with your head held high…
KR: I achieved my dream of winning the drivers’ world championship. I would like to win another championship, but I can only do that if I have a competitive car. It’s that simple.

Q: How much of a petrol head still lays within Kimi Raikkonen?
KR: I have enjoyed my time in F1 and I still have ambitions. In the right circumstances I am very keen to return. The door is open. Let’s see what the future brings.

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/11/10229.html

I do not know yet. I will look at competing in rallying. Again, naturally I want to drive a competitive car. If not I will spend more time with my family and friends
Click to expand...

I like this part though.
 
Don't be confused, Hanna. That interview was from yesterday, at least that's what I think. It appeared on www.formula1.com in the morning. I wouldn't think they called Kimi at 8 am to do the interview! :cheeky:

Since then a lot of things have happened. Didn't you read them!?

Here they are:
Haug wants to contact Kimi
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/f1/2009/11/1000402

Kimi's managers already called Nick Fry
http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/formula1/a...elä+Mercedes+Grand+Prixn+kanssa/1135250885855

Yesterday evening I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't want to believe these "rumours", my brain said I didn't want to care about it... but... today morning I read at Autosport the interview with Steve... Well, things have changed dramatically after Button's move. Things have changed dramatically after Mercedes' move... so it's not McLaren or nothing in F1 - I think. Kimi wants to drive in F1, he wants to win, he's determined as ever ... so they can't be that dumb to rule out Mercedes! They can't be that dumb to rule out Kimi! At Mercedes a seat is free and they need a top driver. I wouldn't think that Heidfeld is one of them. They were shocked by Button's move so the situation is changed by them too.

Come on Kimi!!! You gotta do it, if the conditions are good enough! I know you want it!!! The offer is there.... a silver car on a silver plate for a possible gold medal for next year! Take it!

I keep saying myself that I can't be as sad as I was on Tuesday evening. If this didn't work out... then okay, at least they tried but I would be very very surprised. 2 big chances... they cannot let both of them go!!!

All we can do is pray, pray very very hard and send our positive vibes to Kimi, to Robertsons, to Brawn, to Fry, to Haug!!!

wait and see, wait and see... we - Kimi fans - are the master of it... LOL
 
Yeah I read all the articles.. I just won't get my hopes too high. :timer:
 
MTV3 reports about next years drivers. I don't know but I feel pretty funny that Schumacher is rumoured to drive Mercedes next year. But why is Rosberg going there? He's BAD! And not in good way.

Jarno Trulli is probably going to Lotus. That's kind of good thing. And then there's Kobayashi rumoured to go there. Man, I'm fan of him!
 
Well yeah, the Shcumi thing is just a rumour, I don't think he'll really come back. At least I hope so :ph34r:
What's wrong with Rosberg, haha? I think it would be great if he and Kimi drove for Mercedes!

Kobayashi was great in the few races he drove, I really like him, too :yes:

And I really hope Heikki finds a team for himself somewhere. Renault could be good.
 
I find Rosberg way too overrated. Nakajima was better than him in my opinion and both Finns are better then Rosberg. And that papa Rosberg... argh, I hate his face when I see him on TV! He just talks some shit, I don't remember him talking something clever ever.

Renault + Kovalainen would work. :)
 
I don't know much about Rosberg. He didn't have a competitive car so far so he can show his talent now in Merc. Also it's true that if a driver can show his true side in a non-competitive car... then it's even better. But I hope Kimi WILL go to Mercedes and he will be much better than Rosberg, no doubt! :wink:

Kobayashi, yeah, he was great! :D I liked to see his driving, it was entertaining.

I also hope Heikki finds a seat, I like him though it's sad that he was just a 2nd fiddle in McLaren. Heikki is a nice guy (and a good friend of Kimster), I wish him good results.

I have a feeling (I hope it's true): Kimi's manager did say that Kimi would go on sabbatical in 2010 ON PURPOSE! :bugeyed The news, articles, rumours are so confusing... and also their interviews too.

From today's Iltasanomat

KIMI's MANAGER IS A WEATHERVANE
20.11.2009 klo 09.08

Kimi Räikkönen's manager Steve Robertson's impression of the contract situation turned 180 degrees.

He is said to be a strategist who always has 'leaked out' information about negotiations.

Options in F1 next season were:
- McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren didn't reach an agreement, therefore he won't drive in F1 next year, Steve Robertson told Turun Sanomat on Tuesday night.
- Mercedes is a possibility. This is F1. If they can offer us something that assures us and can give Kimi a chance that will make him happy and so that he can feel that he can win races and championships we cannot say 'never', Robertson said to Autosport Thursday morning.

It's not about which one we should believe because we are talking about the same person. It's more about what he wanted to achieve with the comment about Kimi taking a sabbatical year, if the back door to Merc was always open.
- Kimi isn't interested in many teams because he is honest when he says he wants a winning car. He isn't interested in just money.
- Naturally money is a part of this but he doesn't need it. He wants a car where he can show his talent. Kimi was really frustrated last year because he couldn't win races and challenge for the championship.

Managers primary task is not to tell the truth. Their task is to make sure their protegés get the best possible job. But how would the story about the sabbatical year help in Mercedes-negotiations - if they are going on as we speak?

Räikkönen announced ages ago that his 'only' option is McLaren. Apparently it was already clear at that moment that McLaren wasn't even a possibility. When the McLaren-seat officially went to Jenson Button it's important to give the negotiators the signal that the Brawn/Mercedes -seat would definitely not be the 'only' option because that would give Brawn/Mercedes a strong upper hand.

It's hard to tell how much Ross Brawn or Norbert Haug read newspapers? Apparently a lot but assumably they understand better than to believe anything - at least when it comes to F1-news.

One would think that they know the options without any smokescreen.
- Now it looks like Kimi wouldn't be driving in F1 and we are looking at other options. Rally or something else. But we haven't signed anything yet. The F1-season only ended a few days ago, Robertson told Autosport.

Although when it comes to Robertson it's useless to talk about confirmation. He is a fox when it comes to manipulating the information.
- It is pretty sure that Kimi will take a year off - but of course I can't say anything 100 %. Kimi had a goal and we worked for it but it didn't work. We negotiated with McLaren but unfortunately we didn't find the mutual language in some matters, Robertson described.

Räikkönen doesn't take part in the negotiations himself. To borrow his favourite saying 'it doesn't interest me'. Of course when it comes to the final games he either rejects or approves the papers his managers have negotiated but at this moment he is sitting somewhere else enjoying his life.

Robertson by the way is in Macau where they have the final race in custom car's championsip-serie. It's hard to imagine Räikkönen's destiny would be negotiated there either.

Maybe we will know more next week.
JANNE PALOMÄKI
Click to expand...
McLaren had a Nr. 2 option in Button, when the negotiations failed with Kimi, then they signed Button very quickly! While they were in negotiations with Kimi and his managers for a month or so?!?

How many options Mercedes have? 1 more after their name is Mercedes and not Brawn. (And of course after Button's "surprising" move.) But this one is the best, for sure! Schumi? - just a rumour, Heidfeld? - not good enough, who else? KIMIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Come on, Robertsons, do your job! You get a hell of a lot money for your work, so work it out for Kimi!!!!!!!!!!! It's your interest too!!!! :clapping::punk:
 
Last edited:
Rosberg is confirmed to drive at Mercedes next season. :) I actually have a good feeling about that, the only missing piece is Kimi joining him, that would be my dream right now.
 
The One. said:
Rosberg is confirmed to drive at Mercedes next season. :) I actually have a good feeling about that, the only missing piece is Kimi joining him, that would be my dream right now.
Click to expand...

Mine too! Nothing more to add! :):angel:
 
I was dreaming of Finnish dream team - Kimi and Heikki. But now there's some damn Rosberg. Hope Kimi gets that contract soon.
 
Evilman said:
I was dreaming of Finnish dream team - Kimi and Heikki. But now there's some damn Rosberg. Hope Kimi gets that contract soon.
Click to expand...
Well it still would be one and a half -Finnish team :cheeky:

Rumours, rumours...

Kimi to Citroen and the WRC?!

According to sources close to Automoto365.com, former Ferrari champion Kimi Raikkonen has signed a preliminary deal to race for Citroen in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in the upcoming 2010 Championship season.

Left without a top team capable of giving him a winning car after agreeing to step back from Ferrari and losing the available McLaren drive alongside Lewis Hamilton to 2009 champion, Jenson Button, Kimi’s choices in Formula One are very limited and while he still has unfinished business in the pinnacle of Motorsports, it seems no one on the 2010 grid can match the Finn’s requirements.

Mercedes is more than likely the only other team that could give Kimi what he needs equipment wise, are not prepared to meet the Finnish driver’s financial demands with the top brass wanting a much cheaper driver to race alongside Nico Rosberg. Therefore, he now finds himself left out in the cold and despite a nice payout from Ferrari, racing is in his blood and that’s what he wants to keep doing.

In steps Citroen, renamed as Creative Technologies, ‘the new ad baseline", to reinvent Citroen. Kimi is the sort of driver that should appeal to Red Bull, one of Citroen’s sponsors, immensely talented and a dare devil on and off track and his love of Rally has never been in doubt, in fact he has already made his debut in the Finnish rally earlier this year. For Citroen, the chance to have Raikkonen on their books would be a win win situation. While drivers tend to switch disciplines afrom time to time, never before has an F1 champion moved to the World Rally Championship for an entire season and as he already has a strong fan base his image would be perfect to reinforce the team and championship. It would also be the first time in a while that Citroen would have a Nordic driver in their ranks, giving them France, Spain and Nordic countries in their portfolio.

While the exact nature of the new deal is not quite known at this point in time, there are two possibilities open to the Finn in the Citroen world, either with the Junior Team as there is an immediate seat available or with Petter Solberg’s team, making for a super pairing of 2 world champions, 1 F1 1 WRC. Our very reliable sources confirmed that Solberg has contacted Kimi recently while the Finn’s co driver in WRC has already stated that they will keep working together in 2010...

http://f1.automoto365.com/news/f1/k...rc/GpNewsForm-en-default-19-11-0-38531-1.html
 
^^^Yeah, this is nothing better than any other rumour in these days. :smilerolleyes:
 
Now it's in WRC's official site, I think Kimi is not going to F1 next season.. :(


27/11/09
Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal

Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen is understood to be ready to sign a deal with Citroen to drive a C4 World Rally Car on all 13 rounds of the 2010 World Rally Championship.

Nothing is signed yet, but a source close to the 2007 F1 World Champion told wrc.com that only small details needed to be tied-up before an official announcement is made in the coming days.

The Finn's 2010 WRC programme is understood to have been funded by Red Bull, one of Raikkonen's personal sponsors, and a major backer of Citroen's World Rally campaign.

Long time rally fan Raikkonen is able to tackle the World Rally Championship season thanks to his decision to take a one year sabbatical from Formula 1.

Raikkonen's only WRC experience to date came on this year's Rally Finland, where he impressed in an Abarth Grande Punto S2000. Despite engine problems he was placed 15th overall when he crashed his car into a ditch on the second day.

If Raikkonen does make the switch to Citroen power for 2010, he'll be in good company. Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has won 26 rallies in the C4 and recently admitted it was his favourite competition car of all time.

http://www.wrc.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=101&id=6559&desc=Raikkonen+close+to+Citroen+WRC+deal+
 
The morning brings a mystery, the evening makes it history.

Hope this goes that way. :(
 
Close to McLaren deal, close to Citroen deal... bla bla bla... "someone close to Räikkönen said"... bla bla bla

I want an official announcement!!! That he goes to Mercedes GP in F1 and will try a few rallies in his free time!!! :D

I think they are still negotiating with Mercedes, the silence is huge around Kimi's camp since 18, November. I think rally is not a problem for Mercedes otherwise they would have said it already.

They said that Kimi might race in the Citroen junior team. Quite frankly, if a man, 30 years old, motivated than ever, has a chance to sign a deal with the current world champion team in F1, with a possibility of getting his 2nd WDC and beating Ferrari big time... would he sign with Citroen just for a seat at the junior team?! If I were him, I would sign with Merc to drive in F1 and with Citroen to practise rally and after 1 or 2 years I would switch from F1 to rally. Then I would have much more experience to compete with the big names in WRC. ... but this is me, I cannot think with Kimi's brain.:doh:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top