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[Tony_sa]

From F1 Live:

McLaren are refusing to directly confirm that Kimi Raikkonen is set to return next year, but team members are dropping lots of hints.

With it all but certain that Fernando Alonso is moving to Ferrari next year, it is believed that Raikkonen's lawyers are in the final stages of negotiating a multi-million Euro exit from his contract so that he can become Lewis Hamilton's next team-mate.

Team chiefs Martin Whitmarsh and Norbert Haug did not specifically mention the possibility in Singapore, but it was clear what they were talking about. "McLaren has never had the philosophy of specifying a number one," Whitmarsh said. "We want to have the best available drivers in our cars."

However, in 2007 when Hamilton was pitted alongside Fernando Alonso, the team's policy of employing strong drivers - with absolute equality - resulted in tension.

It is also a concern that, as Hamilton and Alonso fought two years ago, they both narrowly lost the world championship - ironically to Raikkonen. "Managing drivers is what it is all about and we are capable of doing that," said Haug.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

McLaren being good at driver management? Still, regardless of the risks, I'd rather see the two best drivers in the team, instead of copping out and going for the safe option. It's more moral and spices things up. If, or should that be when, Raikkonen shows up, I don't expect there will be quite the same problems as in 2007. Raikkonen is a much more cool character and surely knows the score with Hamilton.

what you saying chris? . that kimi allow the world to think hammie better than him ?? I think not -

[bud]

Raikkonen is a much more cool character and surely knows the score with Hamilton.

Yep, he didnt seem to care too much with Massa beating him.

[McLaren Fan]

I am saying Raikkonen's temperament will mean he is probably going to cause a lot less trouble than Alonso did.

[stonemonkey]

If this happens and Mclaren and Ferrari sort their cars out, with Alonso and Massa as teammates and Hamilton and Raikkonen as teammtes and with Brawn and Red bull and/or other teams in the mix, what a season to look forward to next year from anyone's point of view.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

McLaren: We could handle Raikkonen

By Jonathan Noble Monday, September 28th 2009, 08:51 GMT

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug says McLaren has no qualms about slotting in Kimi Raikkonen alongside Lewis Hamilton next year - as it closes in on a deal with the Finnish driver.

With Ferrari in the final stages of completing moves that will end Raikkonen's Ferrari deal a year early, and open the way for Fernando Alonso to join the Maranello-outfit, sources have confirmed that the 2007 world champion and McLaren are keen to renew their partnership.

And although the signing of Raikkonen for 2010 would give McLaren one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid, it could also leave it exposed to the problems it has faced in the past in managing two top-line drivers.

However, Haug thinks that McLaren will have no trouble in dealing with such a situation – and does not risk a repeat of the problems that marred the outfit when Hamilton was partnered with Fernando Alonso.

"Whatever you can do to get the best available drivers, that is what you have to do," said Haug. "It's a question of money, it's a question of capability, a question of the amount of talent. Managing two megastars, I don't think that honestly it was a problem.

"With Alonso there were some noises to the outside world, but in reality inside the team everybody did his job and in reality we should have won the world championship. But it was not due to not having team orders.

"You can imagine what would have happened in Fernando would not have blocked Lewis in Hungary, no penalty, one point more and you are there. This is how it goes sometimes. We won it by one point and we lost it by one point.

"I stress, I do not confirm that there is change. This is very important. But managing drivers ifs and whys is the name of the game and we are qualified to do so."

Although Raikkonen did not enjoy the best of relationships with former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis, Haug says that the team would relish the opportunity to have the Finn back.

"Reflecting on our co-operation which was five years, I think that it was positive," explained Haug. "We should have won at least two world championships. I have to say we missed one with two points in 2003 but I think an engine failure was one of the reasons, so without that he could have done it.

"In 2005 he could have done it, in fairness. The engines at that stage were not as good and reliable as they are now. To have Kimi in our team winning two world championships would certainly have been a fair outcome for him. I have a good relationship with him and I'm sure he would say the same."

More positive noises. Who are you trying to kid, Norbert.

[vaptin]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

[stonemonkey]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

[Denthúl]

I'm actually getting really annoyed that they simply won't confirm that this is happening. Stop keeping us in suspense!

[scotty]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

Almost? Strongly disagree. I love the guy but no way is Massa a truly exciting driver... I feel a poll might be worthwhile here!

[vaptin]

You don't get that uplifting feeling just looking at massa? Whereas looking at kimi, err well

Alonso, mass v kimi, lewis. This just sounds totally awesomeness

[stonemonkey]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

Almost? Strongly disagree. I love the guy but no way is Massa a truly exciting driver... I feel a poll might be worthwhile here!

I don't think you quite got my point. While I think anything between Hamilton and Kimi will be kept to the track I have a feeling Massa could wind up Alonso nearly as much as Hamilton did.

[Denthúl]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

Almost? Strongly disagree. I love the guy but no way is Massa a truly exciting driver... I feel a poll might be worthwhile here!

I don't think you quite got my point. While I think anything between Hamilton and Kimi will be kept to the track I have a feeling Massa could wind up Alonso nearly as much as Hamilton did.

Possibly more so, if he comes back stronger than he was already. But Alonso and Massa are friends, so it may well be easier than the relationship between Alonso and Hamilton.

[scotty]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

Almost? Strongly disagree. I love the guy but no way is Massa a truly exciting driver... I feel a poll might be worthwhile here!

I don't think you quite got my point. While I think anything between Hamilton and Kimi will be kept to the track I have a feeling Massa could wind up Alonso nearly as much as Hamilton did.

Ah. It'd be even less excusable than before, seeing as Massa is a proven driver and has been driving for the team for years!

[Hanwombat]

I'm actually getting really annoyed that they simply won't confirm that this is happening. Stop keeping us in suspense!

Doesn't help for those that are easily frustrated

[racechick]

kimi won't cause any rifts, he'll just get in and drive.

Agree, although it will be almost as interesting a pairing to watch as Alonso and Massa, almost.

Almost? Strongly disagree. I love the guy but no way is Massa a truly exciting driver... I feel a poll might be worthwhile here!

I don't think you quite got my point. While I think anything between Hamilton and Kimi will be kept to the track I have a feeling Massa could wind up Alonso nearly as much as Hamilton did.

Yep. Hissy fit time when Massa beats him. I remember him getting arsey when massa defended his position from him. He mouthed off at him after the race and they werent even in the same team then.