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[Denthúl]

Maybe Renault need a big name as Kubica might be on his way somewhere else

Where though? Mercedes if Schumacher retired? (Which i think is unlikely)

I think, come the end of the season, Renault will be very close to Mercedes in terms of points, if not ahead. A lot of it depends on whether or not Petrov can start to score points regularly, I guess.

As much as I want Kimi back in F1, I'm not sure I want Vitaly to lose his place. He is talented and promising, he just needs time to mature and I think Renault can help him become a regular winner if they can get him to calm down and perform consistently.

[myownalias]

I questioned Kimi Raikkonen's desire to be an F1 driver during the 2009 season and it seems given that he could have taken a drive with McLaren for $15m and turned that down; it seems that he has had his fill of F1 and wanted to go in another direction. $15m is nothing to sneeze at; yet he walked away for much less in WRC!

Kimi had a piece of crap car in 2009 just like what Schumacher has now at Mercedes GP. The Renault engine is strong and if they can give Kubica aero updates to keep posting good results, Kimi may be a team mate with Robert.

I never said anything about his abilities; he became world champion so he must be a talented driver; but I got the feeling that he turned up to Grand Prix' to get his paycheck rather than to go racing with maybe the exception of Spa. If he doesn't enjoy the F1 racing then it's time to head for new pastures, he seems to enjoy WRC more than F1!

[headless]

I was thinking with Schumi struggling, would this put Raikkonen off making a comeback after this year?
We heard about JV.

Maybe he wasn't planning on it, but maybe he was.

[kerc]

I questioned Kimi Raikkonen's desire to be an F1 driver during the 2009 season and it seems given that he could have taken a drive with McLaren for $15m and turned that down; it seems that he has had his fill of F1 and wanted to go in another direction. $15m is nothing to sneeze at; yet he walked away for much less in WRC!

Kimi had a piece of crap car in 2009 just like what Schumacher has now at Mercedes GP. The Renault engine is strong and if they can give Kubica aero updates to keep posting good results, Kimi may be a team mate with Robert.

I never said anything about his abilities; he became world champion so he must be a talented driver; but I got the feeling that he turned up to Grand Prix' to get his paycheck rather than to go racing with maybe the exception of Spa. If he doesn't enjoy the F1 racing then it's time to head for new pastures, he seems to enjoy WRC more than F1!

I completely agree with you on this. He really looked sick of F1.

[f1ea]

I never said anything about his abilities; he became world champion so he must be a talented driver; but I got the feeling that he turned up to Grand Prix' to get his paycheck rather than to go racing with maybe the exception of Spa. If he doesn't enjoy the F1 racing then it's time to head for new pastures, he seems to enjoy WRC more than F1!

Kimi was/is one of the drivers that goes for the win at all times. You can see plenty of examples of races where he started from the back, or from a so-so position and gave his all to move up the field against any odds. Even in his Mclaren yrs when the car wasnt very reliable he was always in contention and going for it.

He got the lazy banner... and i really dont know much about that. Sure, he isnt the hard worker Massa is... and definitely he doesnt like to deal with the media stuff... but as a driver he gives everything, always on track... and never whines

Ah, maybe in 09 he was not much in it, because 1) he knew he was on his out for Fernando and 2) he knew the F60 wasnt much to compete with.....

[myownalias]

I was referring ONLY to the 2009 season; he always looked like he couldn't give a rats bottom in interviews and such but generally delivered on the track; in 2009 he looked like he was simply fulfilling his contractual obligations rather than going to the races, at least thats my feeling and on his one rally outing last year he seems so much happier, more animated and vocal about his experiences in WRC, I think the writing was on the wall for him at that point, he was looking for a way out which Ferrari obliged as they wanted Alonso anyway!

[racechick]

Maybe Renault need a big name as Kubica might be on his way somewhere else

Where though? Mercedes if Schumacher retired? (Which i think is unlikely)

I think, come the end of the season, Renault will be very close to Mercedes in terms of points, if not ahead. A lot of it depends on whether or not Petrov can start to score points regularly, I guess.

As much as I want Kimi back in F1, I'm not sure I want Vitaly to lose his place. He is talented and promising, he just needs time to mature and I think Renault can help him become a regular winner if they can get him to calm down and perform consistently.

I agree. Id love to see Kimmi back but I dont think Renault is the right time, right place. They have a strong leader in Kubica and a talented Youngster as well. Good for building the team back up. Kimi may not stay long, may not be hungry enough, may upset the dynamics Kubica has built with the team.

I think a better place would be to replace Schumacher and put some more speed into mercedes....providing he's genuinely motivated

[7UpJordan]

Kimi would wipe the floor with barbie at Mercedes, and have one of Ross Brawn's bananas with a Cola.

[f1ea]

Kimi would wipe the floor with barbie at Mercedes, and have one of Ross Brawn's bananas with a Cola.

Bananas and Cola... that's a strong sugar rush. Maybe more than a magnum...

I was referring ONLY to the 2009 season; he always looked like he couldn't give a rats bottom in interviews and such but generally delivered on the track; in 2009 he looked like he was simply fulfilling his contractual obligations rather than going to the races, at least thats my feeling and on his one rally outing last year he seems so much happier, more animated and vocal about his experiences in WRC, I think the writing was on the wall for him at that point, he was looking for a way out which Ferrari obliged as they wanted Alonso anyway!

Yeah. i think so also. Maybe he was angry they were elbowing him out to make way for Alonso. This yr should have been Kimi and Alonso though... then in 2011 Kimi retires to let Massa back in.

[EwanM]

This rumour does actually have some momentum. Infact there is an article on here about it.

Erm Autosport were the first to break it. Kubica looks set to stick with Renault as the team look to be in rude health. The team has apparently been in talks with a number of sponsors and is about to announce an major sponsorship deal.

The article then went on to say that Lopez was so confident of the team's future that he has told senior figures that he will try to lure Raikkonen back.

I believe that Renault are the up and coming team in F1. They have their aerodynamic set-up sorted and they have Kubica who is a born leader and a committed worker.

Though Kimi might be one step too far, the future is bright.

[Hexagram]

Would love it if Renault bet Mercedes this year. Would love it even more if Renault got a win.

[EwanM]

Will neeever disappear... I've seen that road beforeee (At Enstone)
It always leads me here...

[Hammer278]

Depends on Raikkonen's success in Rally and how much he's enjoying it.

Would be fantastic to see the Iceman back in F1 though. I'd be way more excited about his comeback compared to Michael's. Honestly. Maybe because I was a staunch Kimi supporter until he left F1, and my 2nd fav thus got promoted to my favourite driver. No names though.

[Hexagram]

Depends on Raikkonen's success in Rally and how much he's enjoying it.

Enjoying it? Yes, sort of. Success? No, he is consistently 3 - 8 mins off the leader at the end of each rally.

However the first 100% asphalt surface rally is up next which will suit him. I think he was only 5 seconds off the pace of Ogier in a Citroen test recently on asphalt.

[silverco]

are we forgetting that Kimmi has a problem with defending if he doesn't have the best car........ Adelaide hairpin anyone?

bringing Kimmi back would be a mistake... There are better drivers out there who know how to defend... Alonso for instance.

If Renault can't keep the existing line up, then they should be chasing Kobayashi, he showed great patience, race pace and race craft last race. Really out performed the car.