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[andrew]

Thats because you dont know much (about it)

And of course you do oh Mighty Oracle.

How did the kimi/mclaren relationship end? I can not remember there being any big fallings out.

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I think the contract ended naturally and he got a better offer from Ferrari.

See, I can reply without bashing McLaren.

Some people are just so bitter that they can not help themselves. It is all rather sad really.

I think kimi at ferrari would rattle alonso

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It is sad, especially when there is nothing to be bitter about!

Raikkonen and Alonso in the same team would be interesting. Who would be top dog? Alonso and his Spanish banking gold or Raikkonen and endless supplies of Magnums and Voka?

[sagi58]

Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer wrote:">Kimi Raikkonen has no idea where he stands in Red Bull F1 talks

Kimi Raikkonen says Red Bull stopped responding in their 2014 Formula 1 contract negotiations and he has no idea where he stands with the world champion team now.

The Finn's management team declared earlier this week that Red Bull was no longer an option for Raikkonen next year, leaving the way clear for Daniel Ricciardo to replace sportscar-bound Mark Webber as Sebastian Vettel's team-mate.

Then at Spa on Friday Red Bull boss Christian Horner insisted the team had not ruled Raikkonen out.

Raikkonen said he was bemused by the situation.

"I had no answer from them," he told reporters in the paddock. "We will see what happens.

"You have to ask them what they will do. I don't know any better than you guys."

"We never heard anything for a while, which is not the ideal situation, but that's how it is."

While staying at Lotus is believed to be Raikkonen's most likely option, he has also been linked to Ferrari.

But he refused to be drawn on his future on Friday and hit out at media coverage of his contract talks.

"There is no different answer I can give you," said Raikkonen.

"Until there is anything 100 per cent sure, I've nothing to tell.

"There is a lot of talk I'm supposed to go to McLaren, I read somewhere, then there's Ferrari, and then there's Lotus.

"I still don't have a contract so what else can I say?

"Until I can tell you anything 100 per cent, you keep asking and I keep saying the same things.

"We will not get anywhere and then there is a lot of bullpoo in the papers about the different options, that this will happen, that this guy said that.

"There must be much more interesting things to write about and tell people than the same things over and over again."

[Hammer278]

Thats because you dont know much (about it)

And of course you do oh Mighty Oracle.

He just put a quote by DC and a link in that same post to back up his claim on what he knows.

[Hammer278]

It looks like Raikkonen is all but CONFIRMED to join Ferrari from next season.

How will Alonso take this news? Is Massa going to hang up his helmet for good? Will Ferrari actually be stronger than Lotus next year? I don't see how this benefits any party except for Ferrari....if Alonso is brave enough to stay and compete with a real driver.


Ferrari prepares to announce signing of Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen is widely reported to have agreed terms with Ferrari on Monday and his announcement as Fernando Alonso's team-mate for 2014 is expected to be announced within a few days.

Throughout the Italian Grand Prix weekend the team officially said it had not yet made a decision with Nico Hulkenberg also in the running while Felipe Massa on standby if terms could not be agreed with a replacement. As late as Sunday night team principal Stefano Domenicali said the management would take "appropriate time" before making a decision.

"We will announce and say something on that as soon as we have finalised it," Domenicali said. "It's not an easy decision for us."

Raikkonen had an option to remain at Lotus but he was unable to get reassurances that it had the necessary technical and financial resources to enable it to challenge the leading teams next year. It has also been reported there have been delays paying Raikkonen's salary this year.

His return would mean Ferrari are re-employing a driver who they paid off at the end of 2009, a year before the end of his contract, to make way for Alonso. As a former world champion, he is unlikely to accept No. 2 status, raising questions over Alonso's next move if a deal is done. Mounting tensions between Alonso and Ferrari have peaked in recent weeks as Sebastian Vettel has extended his lead in the championship, but Domenicali said the Spaniard is still the driving force within the team.

"There is no doubt that Fernando is a leader, and Fernando with a Ferrari is moving the mountains," he said. "Fernando knows that very, very well. We stay focused on the objective that we have, which is basically to win together."

The likely announcement will signal the end of Felipe Massa's eight-year spell with Ferrari. Inconsistent performances in recent season have meant his position has been the subject of consistent speculation.

[LRW]

this is exciting. we need a big seat change.

What would this mean for the Ferrari 1-2 philosophy? Would Kimi be happy to play No.2? Surely Fernando has No.1 stamped all over his contract. Or would they try to give them both equal footing. Would Fernando stand for it? or would he try to get out of his contract and run back to Lotus / McLaren...? (best pick out of bad choice...?) McLaren havent re-signed their drivers yet......?

[spankyham]

this is exciting. we need a big seat change.

What would this mean for the Ferrari 1-2 philosophy? Would Kimi be happy to play No.2? Surely Fernando has No.1 stamped all over his contract. Or would they try to give them both equal footing. Would Fernando stand for it? or would he try to get out of his contract and run back to Lotus / McLaren...? (best pick out of bad choice...?) McLaren havent re-signed their drivers yet......?

I have explained this before, but it may help to understand why Kimi would come to Ferrari when you better understand how the Ferrari #1 and #2 driver philosophy works.

Basically as the year starts either driver being ahead garners support for being ahead. As a driver builds his position to be the "logical" challenger, the team puts more support to that driver. Once its clear that one driver has the realistic chance the team puts all their weight behind that driver.

If you are Kimi, you target to get ahead of Nando early on and keep that position. In that sense, Kimi actually knows he can be the #1 driver at Ferrari even in his first year. We also know that Kimi has accepted this before and has completely accepted all it entails - China 2008 is proof of that.

As a comment, IMO, in the Ferrari scenario, any perceived #2 driver has a more direct and faster path to becoming #1 than at other leading teams. For example, in Red Bull, no matter how strong the position on the second driver is, even when he is the logical #1 and has the best chance of winning, the team will still favour the defacto #1 (Seb) - this was clearly demonstrated in AD in 2010.

[LRW]

this is exciting. we need a big seat change.

What would this mean for the Ferrari 1-2 philosophy? Would Kimi be happy to play No.2? Surely Fernando has No.1 stamped all over his contract. Or would they try to give them both equal footing. Would Fernando stand for it? or would he try to get out of his contract and run back to Lotus / McLaren...? (best pick out of bad choice...?) McLaren havent re-signed their drivers yet......?

I have explained this before, but it may help to understand why Kimi would come to Ferrari when you better understand how the Ferrari #1 and #2 driver philosophy works.

Basically as the year starts either driver being ahead garners support for being ahead. As a driver builds his position to be the "logical" challenger, the team puts more support to that driver. Once its clear that one driver has the realistic chance the team puts all their weight behind that driver.

If you are Kimi, you target to get ahead of Nando early on and keep that position. In that sense, Kimi actually knows he can be the #1 driver at Ferrari even in his first year. We also know that Kimi has accepted this before and has completely accepted all it entails - China 2008 is proof of that.

As a comment, IMO, in the Ferrari scenario, any perceived #2 driver has a more direct and faster path to becoming #1 than at other leading teams. For example, in Red Bull, no matter how strong the position on the second driver is, even when he is the logical #1 and has the best chance of winning, the team will still favour the defacto #1 (Seb) - this was clearly demonstrated in AD in 2010.

Yeah, ok thats fine, I totally understand that. But at the moment, both Kimi and Alonso can be pretty confident they will be No.1 each year in their respective cars, as they are both much stronger drivers than their team mates. If Kimi comes along to Ferrari, they are both going to have to fight for that No.1 status. Therefore will they both be happy with that situation? Especially compare to how easy they both have it now (relatively).

Im not slating Ferrari's tactics in the slightest.

[sagi58]

Yeah, ok thats fine, I totally understand that. But at the moment, both Kimi and Alonso can be pretty confident they will be No.1 each year in their respective cars, as they are both much stronger drivers than their team mates. If Kimi comes along to Ferrari, they are both going to have to fight for that No.1 status. Therefore will they both be happy with that situation? Especially compare to how easy they both have it now (relatively).

Im not slating Ferrari's tactics in the slightest.

And, BOTH Alonso and Kimi SHOULD believe they will be #1! That's the whole point of being an F1 driver, isn't it?
I'm sure that's first and foremost in any of the drivers' minds when they choose to sign a contract, based on what's
on offer. You could ask anyone who moved from a "lesser" team why they did it and the answer would be the same,
to win the WDC!!

I don't see this as being any different at Ferrari. di Montezemolo has already gone on record, numerous times, saying
that "drivers come and go"; but, Ferrari is THE team. PERIOD.

(((p.s. I sincerely hope I never have to eat those words!! )))

[Zekenwolf]

Radio 5-live announced this morning that Raikkonen's sign-up at Ferrari was "imminent".

[spankyham]

Yeah, ok thats fine, I totally understand that. But at the moment, both Kimi and Alonso can be pretty confident they will be No.1 each year in their respective cars, as they are both much stronger drivers than their team mates. If Kimi comes along to Ferrari, they are both going to have to fight for that No.1 status. Therefore will they both be happy with that situation? Especially compare to how easy they both have it now (relatively).

Im not slating Ferrari's tactics in the slightest.

You do make an interesting point and, a long time ago Enzo was very heavily criticized for that. In fact there were some who believed Enzo's refusal to decree a #1 driver at the start of each season contributed to the deaths of some of his drivers. Enzo's logic was to encourage all his drivers with the belief that, with the right results, no matter who the other drivers were, they could become the teams #1. It is widely believed that this is written into every Ferrari drivers contract even until today.

And, BOTH Alonso and Kimi SHOULD believe they will be #1!

Agreed Sagi, that's been Ferrari's philosophy since the day dot and, whilst it may not be to everyone liking, it works for the team and, personally I'm happy with it P:)

[What's Burning?]

If Ferrari produce a winning car, then the fight for number one status is decreased, because your only competition is your team mate. Drivers at their caliber are comfortable enough with their skills that in the end all they'll want is a fast car and a the confidence in their abilities does the rest. If they get beat, then there is nothing to hide behind.

The complexities of a number 1 status and a number 2 status only come in when you don't have the most competitive car on the grid, and now you're not just looking to beat your team mate, but you need every advantage possible to beat cars painted in different colors. Like the wing situation in Red Bull a couple of years back.

Interesting topic for sure, and I find myself supportive of the move simply because it would open up a seat at Lotus for a drive like Hulkenburg to take the next step up the ladder.

[Zekenwolf]

I find myself supportive of the move simply because it would open up a seat at Lotus for a drive like Hulkenburg to take the next step up the ladder.

Quite a few people are saying that but is moving to Lotus really a 'step up the ladder' for The Hulk? IMO, Raikkonen is making the team look better than they are - yes, I accept Lotus are very good but they are still some way from the Big Boys. Would it not be wiser for Hulkenburg to remain at Sauber for a season or two more, improve his marketability with a few good performances (like at Monza) and then make the big jump?
If he makes the Lotus move now and fails to live up to expectations, will it not spoil his CV for bigger chances later?

[Ferrari man 009]

I find myself supportive of the move simply because it would open up a seat at Lotus for a drive like Hulkenburg to take the next step up the ladder.

Quite a few people are saying that but is moving to Lotus really a 'step up the ladder' for The Hulk?

It is compared to sauger. Kimi/Alonso at Ferrari and Hulk/Di Resta at Lotus would be 2 exciting partnerships

[Zekenwolf]

I find myself supportive of the move simply because it would open up a seat at Lotus for a drive like Hulkenburg to take the next step up the ladder.

Quite a few people are saying that but is moving to Lotus really a 'step up the ladder' for The Hulk?

It is compared to sauger. Kimi/Alonso at Ferrari and Hulk/Di Resta at Lotus would be 2 exciting partnerships

Di Resta could not be "exciting" if threatened at gunpoint.

[andrew]

I find myself supportive of the move simply because it would open up a seat at Lotus for a drive like Hulkenburg to take the next step up the ladder.

Quite a few people are saying that but is moving to Lotus really a 'step up the ladder' for The Hulk?

It is compared to sauger. Kimi/Alonso at Ferrari and Hulk/Di Resta at Lotus would be 2 exciting partnerships

Di Resta could not be "exciting" if threatened at gunpoint.

You sure about that?