FORUMula1.com

[Gaz]

Petrov is a pay driver though and Kimi will be a payed driver.

He will attract better sponsors though.

[NocturnalTendencies]

That would be Brilliant, Kimi is sorely missed in F1.

[Jensonb]

Petrov is a pay driver though and Kimi will be a payed driver.

He will attract better sponsors though.

Well, sort of. He's a big name, but then he doesn't really do much promotional work. "Give with one hand, take with the other" situation.

[myownalias]

Petrov is a pay driver though and Kimi will be a payed driver.

He will attract better sponsors though.

Well, sort of. He's a big name, but then he doesn't really do much promotional work. "Give with one hand, take with the other" situation.

Finally we agree on something Kimi is very much a "turn up and drive" sort of person, he dislikes all the promotional work and general dealing with the media. Sponsors these days require more than a fast driver, they pay millions in sponsorship, they expect drivers to appear at corporate events etc to help promote their brand!

[vaptin]

Petrov is a pay driver though and Kimi will be a payed driver.

He will attract better sponsors though.

Well, sort of. He's a big name, but then he doesn't really do much promotional work. "Give with one hand, take with the other" situation.

Finally we agree on something Kimi is very much a "turn up and drive" sort of person, he dislikes all the promotional work and general dealing with the media. Sponsors these days require more than a fast driver, they pay millions in sponsorship, they expect drivers to appear at corporate events etc to help promote their brand!

I don't think it's just that, Kimi's also supposed to be quite lazy in turning up at the factory and working on development. Although Kubic's a hard worker and Kimi would probably be better at feedback than a rookie.

Kimi's clearly Renault's best option, and would make a fantastic addition to the grid - he's one of those drivers who knows how to overtake as well

[scotty]

I don't think it's just that, Kimi's also supposed to be quite lazy in turning up at the factory and working on development.

I think that is a bit of a myth to be honest. He turns up and does the work, it's just that he has a kip in between testing stints

[vaptin]

I don't think it's just that, Kimi's also supposed to be quite lazy in turning up at the factory and working on development.

I think that is a bit of a myth to be honest. He turns up and does the work, it's just that he has a kip in between testing stints

Well, he doesn't do hanging around on rainy days soaked grid

[scotty]

I don't think it's just that, Kimi's also supposed to be quite lazy in turning up at the factory and working on development.

I think that is a bit of a myth to be honest. He turns up and does the work, it's just that he has a kip in between testing stints

Well, he doesn't do hanging around on rainy days soaked grid

His car was broken anyway so you can't blame him!

[SennaVille]

That could be the best driver lineup on the grid.

Man i hope Raikkonen comes back, we need more amusing press conferences!

No Kidding! One of the highlights of a Kimi podium was guessing how many times he'd pick his nose or ears during the interviews.

We actually used to place bets on it

[smhasan7]

would be great and that could be the most powerful Formula One grid ever with Kimi and Heidfeld returning. i guess only montoya is the man good enough to also be on the grid but think he's history. kimi is like robot, doing lap after lap with surgical precision. hope he's back and that's also show how good kubica is(although we know he's world class but was at times pretty tight with quick Nick) so it would very interesting. Renault should remember they would gain massively in WCC. and kimi would attract good sponsors as well, may Nokia or FinnAir as well.

[Robert12010]

i think that robert and kimi would be an excellent pairing for renault, but i would feel sorry for petrov

[KyrosV]

I wonder if the whole Nokia sponsorship thing will come back?

Its incredible after the whole crashgate thing and ING and other sponsors leaving, Renault have the most sponsors on their car! Who is there PR guy? give him a pat on the back.

[myownalias]

Raikkonen definitely not driving for Renault in 2011, even complained about Renault's representation of him, he never seriously looked at Renault for 2011.

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.

SRC: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87205" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[vaptin]

Looks like they scared him off, he's a hard one to reel in Kimi. Still maybe an indication he's not expecting them to be competing for the championship next year, also Kimi didn't say anything about not going back to f1.

[hounddub]

Kimi will return.......and he's has Red Bull written all over him