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[Nin-Chin]

Rubens Barrichello says he 'can never say never' on the subject of a Formula 1 return, with the Brazilian claiming that he is still physically and mentally capable of competing in the sport. The 40-year-old was ousted from Williams at the end of 2011 and has since been competing in the IndyCar series, but admits that F1 is still of interest.



"We can never say never, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen returned," Barrichello told Brazil's Globo when pushed on the subject. "In life, I think we have to have the dream of wanting to improve every day. When the door is there, I can not say no."

Barrichello went on to talk specifically about the comebacks made by Schumacher and Räikkönen, explaining that preparation is key to success.

"We have the example of Schumacher who returned and did not come prepared," he added. "I thought Räikkönen would have the same difficulty, but he had a sensational year. He is third in the championship, not directly fighting for wins but has scored six podiums.

"I say that because I have not stopped, I went into another category. I'm more active. In physical and mental conditions, I would be prepared."

During his 19-year spell in Formula 1, Barrichello scored 658 points, picked up 11 victories, stood on the podium a further 57 times and claimed 14 pole positions.

[Nin-Chin]

Kimi Raikkonen to stay at Lotus for the 2013 season but does not rule out a return to Ferrari and McLaren




It was confirmed on Monday that Kimi Raikkonen would stay with Lotus for 2013, but the 2007 world champion has not ruled out a future return to Ferrari or McLaren.


The 33 year-old, who is in his first season back after two years competing in the World Rally Championship, believes “anything is possible” in Formula One.
Despite not having won a race this year, Raikkonen currently sits in third place in the drivers’ championship, above Red Bull’s Mark Webber and the McLaren pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. The Finn’s pace, always highly rated, has been matched by his impressive consistency.
Raikkonen has scored points in every grand prix bar one — China — beating his younger team-mate Romain Grosjean 15 times out of 17 in the process. Grosjean’s seat for next year has not yet been confirmed by Lotus.
“It could have been better but I guess it could have been much worse also,” Raikkonen told The Daily Telegraph when asked whether 2012 had lived up to his own expectations.
“I think the last year has been, overall, good for the team but of course you want to win races and challenge for championships. I didn’t really have any expectations before. I wanted to do well and see how it goes. To see if it came easily or not. On the whole it has. The qualifying hasn’t been exactly the strongest point. But we’ve been pretty strong in the races.


He added: “I’m not 100 per cent happy. If I’m here I want to win and be successful. We have been pretty good this year but we still haven’t won. We still have to improve.”
Raikkonen said that he would not rule out a future move to any team, including Ferrari with whom he parted on bad terms after they elected to buy him out of his contract at the end of 2009 to make way for Fernando Alonso.
“Ferrari could have ended in a slightly nicer way but the people I worked with who are still there, I had a very good relationship with them and go and talk to them still,” Raikkonen said.
“You know, it’s not like I had some fight against somebody. I’m OK with everybody it’s just that things could have ended in a nicer way. But it doesn’t mean that I couldn’t go back there. You never know. I don’t know how long I will be driving for. Maybe I don’t drive for many more years.”
Raikkonen added that he would have no problem working again with McLaren’s executive chairman Ron Dennis. The Finn drove for the Woking team from 2002 until 2006 and had a few high-profile run-ins with Dennis, who was then team principal.
“For sure you have a different view of many things but we still talk to each other,” he said. “I have never had a fight with him. There is nothing wrong with our relationship. People don’t know at all what is going on in the real world. It is like you tell something to one guy and by the 10th person the story is completely different. I have no issues with anybody.”
Formula One heads this week from India to Abu Dhabi where Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Alonso will continue to slug it out for the title. The German currently leads the Spaniard by 13 points with three races left.
Hamilton, now out of contention, has remained in India following his fourth-place finish on Sunday to do some charity work for UNICEF.

[LewEngBridewell]

Raikkonen back at McLaren? Imagine...

[racechick]

Raikkonen back at McLaren? Imagine...

Could be, though isn't Perez signed long term? Button only has this year and next year though. I guess it depends how things pan out over the next couple of years. I'm surprised they didn't think of Kimi to replace Lewis.

[Nin-Chin]

Raikkonen back at McLaren? Imagine...

Could be, though isn't Perez signed long term? Button only has this year and next year though. I guess it depends how things pan out over the next couple of years. I'm surprised they didn't think of Kimi to replace Lewis.

They both signed to the end of 2014

I believe

[What's Burning?]

2014 is going to be wild.

[Hammer278]

Raikkonen back at McLaren? Imagine...

Could be, though isn't Perez signed long term? Button only has this year and next year though. I guess it depends how things pan out over the next couple of years. I'm surprised they didn't think of Kimi to replace Lewis.

Really? Kimi going back to the failure team which wasted his time and talent? Not to mention all the media and corporate events which he hates...McLaren is full of them.

[LewEngBridewell]

2014 is going to be wild.

I certainly hope it lives up to expectations.

[racechick]

2014 is going to be wild.

I certainly hope it lives up to expectations.

I was thinking more of the benefit to McLaren than to Kimi, having just lost Lewis.

[scotty]

[vlad]

[andrew]

[LewEngBridewell]

Kimi's podium interview... priceless

[scotty]

Did i just hear that right?

[vlad]

Him saying that and Vettel swearing, priceless!