Kimi starts his rally career

[Langdale Forest]

Impressive 6th place after day 2 of Rally Turkey, it just keeps getting better for Kimmi. :)

[Langdale Forest]

An exellent 5th place for Kimi in Turkey, he is now setting stage times that are faster than Matthew Wilson! :)

[Tom206wrc]

Yep...congratulations to Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström for that solid result !!!! :cool:

[Woodeye]

Good result for Kimi. Only 2 more retirements and he would've been in podium. ;)

[vkangas]

Turkey day3 added:

http://i43.tinypic.com/fva5ib.jpg

[JRodrigues]

Turkey day3 added:

http://i43.tinypic.com/fva5ib.jpg

Can you do the average of the entire rallies?

[vkangas]

Can you do the average of the entire rallies?

Maybe later... ;) . I think it could be somehow misleading because of huge losses on some stages (mistakes and technical failures).

If you compare the two pretty clean runs (Jordan and Turkey) there is an average improvement of almost 1 sec/km. (stage average, not distance-corrected). It is statistically also very clear that Kimi's pace is much more stable now than earlier.

[JRodrigues]

Maybe later... ;) . I think it could be somehow misleading because of huge losses on some stages (mistakes and technical failures).

If you compare the two pretty clean runs (Jordan and Turkey) there is an average improvement of almost 1 sec/km. (stage average, not distance-corrected). It is statistically also very clear that Kimi's pace is much more stable now than earlier.


Great work there :cool:

[jens]

Quite impressive performance from Kimi to beat Wilson, who has 4+ years of experience in WRC. Such progress may motivate Kimi to stay in WRC long-term.

[Barreis]

No if he's smart..

[Boudica]

Turkey day3 added:

http://i43.tinypic.com/fva5ib.jpg

Thanks again, good work. :)

[TKM]

Kimi is faster than Matthew Wilson so that just shows how bad Matthew Wilson really is.

lol, a pair of also rans, and always will be.

[Eki]

No if he's smart..
Smart which way?

If he wants money over everything else, he should go to F1. If he likes rallying more or wants to try to be the first ever to be both the F1 champion and World Rally champion, he should stay in rallying.

[bluuford]

Turkey day3 added:

http://i43.tinypic.com/fva5ib.jpg

you should take out canceled stages, Then the graph looks more correct.

[N.O.T]

Smart which way?

If he wants money over everything else, he should go to F1. If he likes rallying more or wants to try to be the first ever to be both the F1 champion and World Rally champion, he should stay in rallying.

he will never be world rally champion no matter how hard he tries or his managers want....

[miksu]

he will never be world rally champion no matter how hard he tries or his managers want....

Of course he can be.

[N.O.T]

he can be a henning solberg at best if he stays in the wrc for 4-5 years...the 40 year old stunt guy from the USA is faster than him and Wilson is on par with him. Lets wait and see him in NZ a real drivers rally.....

oooooops i forgot he isn;t going to that one....i wonder why....

[WRCfan]

Biting sheep and spectators with pickled onions...?

[snellman]

he can be a henning solberg at best if he stays in the wrc for 4-5 years...the 40 year old stunt guy from the USA is faster than him and Wilson is on par with him. Lets wait and see him in NZ a real drivers rally.....

oooooops i forgot he isn;t going to that one....i wonder why....
and how many rallies have he taken part in so far?

[N.O.T]

experience has very little to do with potential and talent....and there is no potential or talent in kimi when he gets beat ugly by a stuntman or when he is at wilson pace to crash all the time.

if you don't know that by now go become a finish manager.

[Langdale Forest]

What's all this about Finnish managers?
You mention them in almost every post. :confused:

[SubaruNorway]

experience has very little to do with potential and talent....and there is no potential or talent in kimi when he gets beat ugly by a stuntman or when he is at wilson pace to crash all the time.

if you don't know that by now go become a finish manager.

Would you bother to mention the time difference from Kimi down to Wilson and Block this weekend...?

[N.O.T]

block when was in the race beat him almost on every stage...while with wilson he was ahead but never comfortably, same goes for villagra....

and take into account we were in Turkey an event where 1st you seek to avoid rocks and then drive fast....

Why kimi isn't in the entry for NZ ?? they don't get rebulls over there ??

i understand those who see potential and are from finland since their drivers are laughable at the moment...for the rest i really have no words

As i said...Henning at best.

[snellman]

block when was in the race beat him almost on every stage...while with wilson he was ahead but never comfortably, same goes for villagra....

and take into account we were in Turkey an event where 1st you seek to avoid rocks and then drive fast....

Why kimi isn't in the entry for NZ ?? they don't get rebulls over there ??

i understand those who see potential and are from finland since their drivers are laughable at the moment...for the rest i really have no words

As i said...Henning at best. block have 5 years of rally experience, while kimi have 5 wrc events. yet block doesn't beat kimi very easily

[N.O.T]

experience says nothing on potential and talent....

shall i remind you Mr ekstrom in sweden where with NO experience at all he was beating paasonen a seasoned rally driver ?? and on the opposite we have wilson with loads of experience and no talent who still tries....

why you even bother with the sport if you cannot accept or even understand some basic things ??

Kimi uses rally to get out of unemployment next year and very rightly so his managers and PR dogs present him as a multitalented man who after 10-20-30 rallies will be able to challenge for what exactly ?? the championship ?? 3rd place ?? the master chef in the citroen van ?? what are his goals ???

when you are involved in a sport and looking ahead to do it full time as a profession you must set some goals....

[snellman]

experience says nothing on potential and talent....

shall i remind you Mr ekstrom in sweden where with NO experience at all he was beating paasonen a seasoned rally driver ?? and on the opposite we have wilson with loads of experience and no talent who still tries....

why you even bother with the sport if you cannot accept or even understand some basic things ??

Kimi uses rally to get out of unemployment next year and very rightly so his managers and PR dogs present him as a multitalented man who after 10-20-30 rallies will be able to challenge for what exactly ?? the championship ?? 3rd place ?? the master chef in the citroen van ?? what are his goals ???
when you are involved in a sport and looking ahead to do it full time as a profession you must set some goals....
so you sir, can see his full potential after just 5 events?

[N.O.T]

yes... 3 are enough.

[DonJippo]

shall i remind you Mr ekstrom in sweden where with NO experience at all he was beating paasonen a seasoned rally driver ??

You really should make yourself a favour and try to get your facts right. Ekström's first Rally Sweden was 1999 when he was 11th in groupN, that happens to be the same year when Paasonen had his first Rally Sweden and he was 3rd in the same groupN.

[N.O.T]

check the stage times please not overall results and take a look at the fabia years as well....

you can check the 2005 year in the wrc.com before starting another propagnada....

[DonJippo]

check the stage times please not overall results and take a look at the fabia years as well....

you can check the 2005 year in the wrc.com before starting another propagnada....

Well shepherd no other propaganda just pointing out that Ekström had several years experience in rallying before his good results in Rally Sweden even you claim he had none. And experience is something Kimi needs before we can judge his true capabilities in rallying.

[janneppi]

Nice to see Kimi doing well, the last two rallies have been pretty good for getting experience.

[Lousada]

I don't know what is worse. Kimi performing so well that it makes Rally seem very easy. Or Kimi not actually performing that well, but showing that most experienced WRC drivers are actually very bad.

[N.O.T]

Well shepherd no other propaganda just pointing out that Ekström had several years experience in rallying before his good results in Rally Sweden even you claim he had none. And experience is something Kimi needs before we can judge his true capabilities in rallying.

years of experience in rallying ??? he has contested 9 events in the WRC in his whole career and maybe another 9 in local events...18-20 events in 6 years is called experience ??? and those 9 wrc events had no testing or anything in contrast with kimi....

Why is kimi not going to NZ ??? i thought he was serious about rallying.....

[snellman]

years of experience in rallying ??? he has contested 9 events in the WRC in his whole career and maybe another 9 in local events...18-20 events in 6 years is called experience ??? and those 9 wrc events had no testing or anything in contrast with kimi....

Why is kimi not going to NZ ??? i thought he was serious about rallying.....
what would he do there without a car? walk the stages?

[N.O.T]

why there is no car ?? kimi doesn;t have any money ??

[snellman]

why there is no car ?? kimi doesn;t have any money ??
citroen junior team wearen't suppose to take part in the NZ rally, and yes i know ogier will take part

[N.O.T]

well if all he needs is experience i think it wouldn;t be so hard for him to find some money to go to NZ and drive....but that confirms the fact that he is in rallying this year only to stay in the motorsport picture, but i guess he manages to draw some sheep ignorant fans with him...and that is why PR and managers is a viable job theese days

Henning at best i said ??? i doubt it.....

[janvanvurpa]

he can be a henning solberg at best if he stays in the wrc for 4-5 years...the 40 year old stunt guy from the USA is faster than him and Wilson is on par with him. Lets wait and see him in NZ a real drivers rally.....

oooooops i forgot he isn;t going to that one....i wonder why....

The 40 year old stunt guy stuffed on the first stage---for about the 30th time. And 40 year old stunt guy has not only been driving in 10-15 events in USA and canada nonstop for 4-5 years, but has endless other practice time including miles of roads purpose built on his own property..

Also since he did stuff it and was driving under Super-rally rules, he's already buggered and so has nothing to loose, and so could drive with impunity.
And he did stuff or something a second time....
So F1 boys results with the extremely limited gravel time he has total is nothing short of astounding, and it is clear he has the brains to improve, something Wilson has showed he cannot and that I doubt stunt man can judging how frequently he's made huge blunders.

[JRodrigues]

I don't know what is worse. Kimi performing so well that it makes Rally seem very easy. Or Kimi not actually performing that well, but showing that most experienced WRC drivers are actually very bad.

I Know what is worse. Having a g(r)eek guy constantly talking BS in this threat.

[janvanvurpa]

block have 5 years of rally experience, while kimi have 5 wrc events. yet block doesn't beat kimi very easily

Exactly. Add that Block was under Superrally rules and therefore unimportant what he does, he's no points threat, so so what if he beats anybody on stages, he doesn't count.

[janvanvurpa]

I Know what is worse. Having a g(r)eek guy constantly talking BS in this threat.


Come on don't be too hard on him, think of the pressure to prove your worth when you come from a country that has done nothing in over 2000 years.....

[Langdale Forest]

Come on don't be too hard on him, think of the pressure to prove your worth when you come from a country that has done nothing in over 2000 years.....

Greece hosted the olympics in 2004, so what are you talking about?

[snellman]

Come on don't be too hard on him, think of the pressure to prove your worth when you come from a country that has done nothing in over 2000 years.....and we, the rest of EU have to help him pay his saggy internet connection :D

[N.O.T]

i don't know what is funnier ? you guys trying to diminish me through my **** country (i doubt we even qualify for the term) that brought the whole EU project on its knees or langdales usual totally random stupid comment .... LOL

any way... you actually consider what is going on in the USA rallying ?? David and Mark higgins were champions over there....get serious...

block crashed....what 4 times now ?? well kimi did that in 1 event !!! and the guy is 40 (and has no chin, which we all know limits rally ability ...)

ok so how many events shall i wait before i open my mouth in this thread ??... (actual answers and humourus posts are welcome)

is after bulgaria good for you kids ?

[Langdale Forest]

i don't know what is funnier ?

Some of your posts make me laugh! :) :laugh:

BTW, I thought you liked the olympics/winter olympics?

[JRodrigues]

Come on don't be too hard on him, think of the pressure to prove your worth when you come from a country that has done nothing in over 2000 years.....

It's not his country's fault that he was born there..

[Rallyper]

N.O.T. has escalated his BS now when Kimi´s doing progress. He must talk himself out of this in one way or another...

He´s chosing talking more than thinking.

Let´s wait and see. Kimi´s doing far better than expected up till today. That´s for sure!!!

[Boudica]

experience has very little to do with potential and talent....and there is no potential or talent in kimi when he gets beat ugly by a stuntman or when he is at wilson pace to crash all the time.

Kimi was faster then Block on more stages.


if you don't know that by now go become a finish manager.

Kimi's managers isn't even Finnish.

[Boudica]

Willy Ramph on Kimi:

For 2001, Nick Heidfeld was rescued from a potentially career-ending debut F1 season with Prost and both Sauber and Rampf decided to role the dice on an inexperienced, underqualified unknown. Following a remarkable performance in his maiden F1 test over four days at Mugello in September 2000, the team was about to unleash 21-year-old Kimi Raikkonen on F1.

"Kimi was a big risk," says Rampf. "But we came to the conclusions that he was the right man for us. We were amazed by his driving because he had no experience. At Mugello, I was there and Peter also came down. Kimi was given a laptime to achieve and after every day he had achieved it and we asked for a quicker laptime. Then we gave him new tyres and took out 40kg.

"He had never driven with no fuel, and the simulation said that he should be 1.2 seconds quicker. And he did the first lap exactly 1.2 seconds quicker. He didn't know where the braking points were, and he just had the out lap to get a feel for it but he was spot on with the simulation. This was astonishing.

"He was very confident. After the test, I told him that it was a good laptime but he could go quicker. He asked me if he should have gone quicker and I said 'that would have been good'. His response was 'if you had told me, I would have been quicker'. He wasn't joking – he was serious.

"From that test, I said to Peter that we had to take him. And it wasn't a huge risk because if he is that quick and talking like this he must be a big talent. And so it proved. Peter was happy and was also convinced that he had to be the driver.

"We expected that he would have some offs and make some mistakes, but it was not the case. Right from the start he was on a very high level. I would say that he was the best driver that I worked with and I still have the very highest respect for him."

- From Autosport Magazine

[janvanvurpa]

i don't know what is funnier ? you guys trying to diminish me through my **** country (i doubt we even qualify for the term) that brought the whole EU project on its knees or langdales usual totally random stupid comment .... LOL

any way... you actually consider what is going on in the USA rallying ?? David and Mark higgins were champions over there....get serious...

block crashed....what 4 times now ?? well kimi did that in 1 event !!! and the guy is 40 (and has no chin, which we all know limits rally ability ...)

ok so how many events shall i wait before i open my mouth in this thread ??... (actual answers and humourus posts are welcome)

is after bulgaria good for you kids ?

Ask anybody who knows me and they will tell you I never tire of talking of what and why the American approach to rally is wrong, and doomed to never produce a driver capable of winning B class in a Finnish F-cup event.

The competition is paper thin, the driving appalling, the emphasis is on having the external appearance of "the right stuff"---which means fleets of near identical blue Subarus all imitating everything they've seen on TV or on the Inter-net.
Problem is they are slow and you'll never convince them there's no need to do 4 Swedish flicks when they've started slowing 100m before the corner and have slowed down to 30 km/hr before they reach the corner.

So do not think that I will rise to stupidly defend US rally, its small time that has gotten absurdly expensive and priced dozens of club competitors out of the sport.

And all efforts to "gently suggest that if we study where rallying has mass participation, that being UK, Sweden and Finland, and study it seriously, we might be able to identify key elements that "they" are doing which contributes to the SUSTAINABLE high level and quantities of rallies, and then see if the ideas, which we believe are the cornerstones of the successful scene, can possibly be applied to the sport in USA (and Canada since they are just 200km to the North). This gentle suggestions meets with a response so stupid that one could imagine it must be your cousins replying everytime "This isn't Your-rupp" the irony seems to escaped them when they tell me, a schmuck who spent most of a decade driving all around Europe pounding my head into the rocks that "this ain't Your-rupp, and we ain't no You're a peein"

But what does this have to do with your endless ceaseless continual disrespectful comments about even guys like the Stunt-man, and Kimi and even Wilson?
I may make comments but I have driven, and now in my old age co-driven and even won our weak ass F2 class and done motorsport for now 40+ years , I have some sense of what good is and what crap is, but what gives you the right to talk so disrespectfully about even "village drivers" when as far as we know you may not be able to drive a car at all much less drive well enough to finish dead fawkin last?

You cannot be in real life as obnoxious as you try and act here, why torture us with this phony max-cynical persona?

Give it a rest, and try and be something more than like the annoying drunk at a social gathering that ruins every conversation.
In real life we can take our beer and walk away, but here you are too relentless. At least with the child Langdale we know he's maybe 13 and that mitigates his prattle to some degree.

Come on act like a human.

[Woodeye]

Give it a rest, and try and be something more than like the annoying drunk at a social gathering that ruins every conversation.
In real life we can take our beer and walk away, but here you are too relentless. At least with the child Langdale we know he's maybe 13 and that mitigates his prattle to some degree.

Come on act like a human.

Amen to that.

[N.O.T]

if human to you is to accept everything the managers and PR dogs feed you with no sceptisism at all and just encourage everything in a good manner then i am glad i am not human....in such a hard time for the sport the last thing we need is yes men applauding every useless person with a big wallet and a bunch of sponsors behind him....

if you want this sport to be a social gathering of ex-motosport stars having fun, be my guest...but don't expect me to agree with that.

What exactly am i saying that annoys you ??

the fact that your ex-f1 kid is presented as a rally driver with dedication (skipping events shows that dedication) and i think he is just here because he is unemplyed??

the fact that you present him to do progress in each event just because he is (not always) faster than wilson and villagra and gets beaten by a stuntman ??

or maybe the fact that i don;t agree with that non-personality ex-codriver of nobodies who the only thing he does after each interview is playing a record about how fast kimi is learning and gathering experience....i wonder what will do with all that experience...exchange it in euros maybe when he goes back to his ridiculous child sport.

[Tomi]

if human to you is to accept everything the managers and PR dogs feed you with no sceptisism at all and just encourage everything in a good manner then i am glad i am not human....in such a hard time for the sport the last thing we need is yes men applauding every useless person with a big wallet and a bunch of sponsors behind him....

I dont understand you really, what is so strange in that drivers have managers? Rally on top level is a professional sport, and in professional sport managers are normal, also the big wallet thing is a bit odd, its impossible to drive rally on top level without much money, there is always someone who pays the bill, sponsors, team or who ever, very few can pay them self, or are interested to pay even if they could.

[N.O.T]

well the thing is that decisions nowadays of who a team picks and who leaves behind is solely a manager thing and not dependent on the talent of the driver...and that is the situation with ford and citroen especially. we have PG/atko/meeke out of the wrc and some others too and all becuase the managers of certain drivers impose their will on the teams...and probably interfere with the team itself when the driver gets picked to have better treatment. if kimi didn;t push things i doubt anyone would give him a car for full season, he would probably do 5-6 events and he rest someone else with talent and less budget and if results where there then we could have something more...but instead we have a car sent to jail with kimi for a full season trying to persuade his lapdogs he is actually any good.

i would definately prefer that the 2nd junior car was shared between kimi.atko and anyone else with talent.

[Tomi]

well the thing is that decisions nowadays of who a team picks and who leaves behind is solely a manager thing and not dependent on the talent of the driver...and that is the situation with ford and citroen especially. we have PG/atko/meeke out of the wrc and some others too and all becuase the managers of certain drivers impose their will on the teams...and probably interfere with the team itself when the driver gets picked to have better treatment. if kimi didn;t push things i doubt anyone would give him a car for full season, he would probably do 5-6 events and he rest someone else with talent and less budget and if results where there then we could have something more...but instead we have a car sent to jail with kimi for a full season trying to persuade his lapdogs he is actually any good.

i would definately prefer that the 2nd junior car was shared between kimi.atko and anyone else with talent.

I dont understand why you think managers try to pick drivers who dont bring the invested money back, im sure they take the best possible avilable at the time when they pick.
What comes to Kimi, well there is many free WRC cars out there without drivers, it does not go like if someone deside not to drive then someone else gets the car automaticly.
Offcourse there is opinions, but the deals are between teams and drivers, they also pay for it and takes the responsibility for the desitions.
I dont think managers can interfere in the teams work, the only thing they can do is to follow that the contract is followed from both sides, and taking care of drivers sponsoring contracts etc. so that the driver can consentrate on the driving, thats their job.
Atkinson and PG would do good for the championship, for sure, but for some reason the teams are not interested, maybe because all drivers are under contract.

[N.O.T]

I dont understand why you think managers try to pick drivers who dont bring the invested money back, im sure they take the best possible avilable at the time when they pick.


they take the best possible they THINK...and when it comes down that the driver they picked cannot bring the invested summ back they try to keep the driver in the team in order to get the investment back longterm at least (see loix and latvala) would latvala be in a works team right now if he didn;t have his sponsors and manager to pay for his drive (according to some) ford lost a whole manufacturers championship last year because of him and they will lose it this year as well, i remember duval being fast but crashing all the time and we saw how this ended, maybe ford are members of the make a wish foundation and they keep latvala because they are tolerant then or they are stupid enough and made an unconditional contract with him.

i cannot see teams not interested in atko/meeke/pg and others because all are under contract....i doubt a works team would make a contract with someone without any conditions to break it if needed. and some drivers from both citroen/ford official and M1 teams i think deserve a repalcement.

Bottom line is...Kimi is here full time just because his name and his status with managers and sponsors not because he is worth it or he has longterm plans to become champion....the fact that he is finish and gets support from a whole nation who are very nationalistic about motorsports and the fact that he has F1 followers behind him as well gives him the opportunity to get some more exposure by trying to persuade rally people that he is here because of the love of the sport.

you see potential in a guy who is here for 1 year, gets ridiculed by sons of nobodies and other useless privateers and when he goes back to his f1 next year and spits in your face and the sport, you will be stupid enough to even consider him a loss....the only thing i will miss are his slow motion videos or straight line driving.

[Eki]

What's all this about Finnish managers?
You mention them in almost every post. :confused:
I thought Raikkönen had a British manager? Robertson, or something like that.

[N.O.T]

british finish swedish blah blah blah....kindergarden kids miss the point and look at details...

I mention finish managers because they mainly brought the ford at the level they are now.

[noel157]

they take the best possible they THINK...and when it comes down that the driver they picked cannot bring the invested summ back they try to keep the driver in the team in order to get the investment back longterm at least (see loix and latvala) would latvala be in a works team right now if he didn;t have his sponsors and manager to pay for his drive (according to some) ford lost a whole manufacturers championship last year because of him and they will lose it this year as well, i remember duval being fast but crashing all the time and we saw how this ended, maybe ford are members of the make a wish foundation and they keep latvala because they are tolerant then or they are stupid enough and made an unconditional contract with him.

i cannot see teams not interested in atko/meeke/pg and others because all are under contract....i doubt a works team would make a contract with someone without any conditions to break it if needed. and some drivers from both citroen/ford official and M1 teams i think deserve a repalcement.

Bottom line is...Kimi is here full time just because his name and his status with managers and sponsors not because he is worth it or he has longterm plans to become champion....the fact that he is finish and gets support from a whole nation who are very nationalistic about motorsports and the fact that he has F1 followers behind him as well gives him the opportunity to get some more exposure by trying to persuade rally people that he is here because of the love of the sport.

you see potential in a guy who is here for 1 year, gets ridiculed by sons of nobodies and other useless privateers and when he goes back to his f1 next year and spits in your face and the sport, you will be stupid enough to even consider him a loss....the only thing i will miss are his slow motion videos or straight line driving.

+1 Surprisingly I totally agree with you.

[LadySnowcat]

Sponsors want coverage...

Sponsors want fans to watch ...

And any driver who brings a ton of new fans (definitely not just Finns) is worth his weight in gold... or dollars... whatever he prefers...

And Kimi brings more fans than any other driver so if he's here for the short term or long term really matters not a jot to his sponsors, as they just want people to keep watching Kimi... and we do...

He's doing a fantastic job and that helps too...

And everyone knows Red Bull are paying for him and they get lots of kudos for that... and I also bet that Oakley sunglasses are really, really pleased too as he wears a different style or frame at every rally.... (I haven't spotted anyone doing a better job at product placement have you?)...

On the Red Bull front if they do fancy having him in an F1 car next year then this has been a cheap investment too...

Oh, and finally I didn't know anything about rallying and now appreciate better than ever before just how terrific these drivers are... it wouldn't have happened if Kimi hadn't taken up rallying... WRC needs all the support it can get and I'll bet that Jean Todt would love Kimi to stay rallying...

Kindergarten kids need to understand what makes the world go round these days and it's money... and money finds the very top talent no matter what as they want to be associated with success...

[Boudica]

they take the best possible they THINK...and when it comes down that the driver they picked cannot bring the invested summ back they try to keep the driver in the team in order to get the investment back longterm at least (see loix and latvala) would latvala be in a works team right now if he didn;t have his sponsors and manager to pay for his drive (according to some) ford lost a whole manufacturers championship last year because of him and they will lose it this year as well, i remember duval being fast but crashing all the time and we saw how this ended, maybe ford are members of the make a wish foundation and they keep latvala because they are tolerant then or they are stupid enough and made an unconditional contract with him.

i cannot see teams not interested in atko/meeke/pg and others because all are under contract....i doubt a works team would make a contract with someone without any conditions to break it if needed. and some drivers from both citroen/ford official and M1 teams i think deserve a repalcement.

Bottom line is...Kimi is here full time just because his name and his status with managers and sponsors not because he is worth it or he has longterm plans to become champion....the fact that he is finish and gets support from a whole nation who are very nationalistic about motorsports and the fact that he has F1 followers behind him as well gives him the opportunity to get some more exposure by trying to persuade rally people that he is here because of the love of the sport.

you see potential in a guy who is here for 1 year, gets ridiculed by sons of nobodies and other useless privateers and when he goes back to his f1 next year and spits in your face and the sport, you will be stupid enough to even consider him a loss....the only thing i will miss are his slow motion videos or straight line driving.

I can honesty understand your gripe to some degree. However, motorsport has been operating like this for ages, it has always been about sponsors, PR value, investment, money and perhaps only after that a bit of talent. Just look at Schumacher for example, he is earning over the 30 million this year, and yet he has scored less points then Kimi has in WRC. However he is still a good investment because of his PR value. Every team is also a business at the end of the day.

It also doesn't really seems like Kimi is doing any worse then the driver he replaced, and even if Kimi wasn't in that seat, would Citroen really have given the seat to PG Anderson, Atkinson ext, or would they just have sold it off to someone else with sponsorship money?

It is true that Kimi obviously got the seat with Red Bull backing and because of his PR value. However, you cant really hold that against him as most people in his position would have done exactly the same thing. Kimi has already paid his dues in motorsport, he came through the rankings the hard way. In recently motorsport history he is one of the few (or perhaps the only driver) who made it purely based on talent alone without any sponsors. Now he is in a position to use sponsors, so why not use them?

As for patriotic support, when it comes to Kimi it has never existed. As far I understand the Finns have never really supported or liked Kimi all that much, as far as I understand even Heikki Kovalainen might actually have more support in Finland then Kimi. Kimi's appeal is more international, he has a much more global fans base then a Finnish one. Besides Finland isn't exactly the biggest country so they dont have a huge market to exploit.

So perhaps you are letting out your fustrations towards the wrong subject, Kimi is just using a system in motorsport that is already in existence. And posting stuff like sick dog, kindergarten kids ext. on the internet is not going change that nor would it make other people take more notice of your opinion.

[N.O.T]

He's doing a fantastic job and that helps too...


Oh, and finally I didn't know anything about rallying and now appreciate better than ever before just how terrific these drivers are... it wouldn't have happened if Kimi hadn't taken up rallying... WRC needs all the support it can get and I'll bet that Jean Todt would love Kimi to stay rallying...



fantastic job....nice adjective

are you guys minors or something that get overexcited by the slightest thing possible? what exactly is fantastic ? crashig 5 times in 4 rallies while trying to match the speed of the tourists wilson villagra and co. ?

the fact that you followed rallying just for kimi sure is a plus for the sport and somehow i can appreciate...but will you still watch rally when he goes? or just follow him to whatever he does next...?

[LadySnowcat]

fantastic job....nice adjective

are you guys minors or something that get overexcited by the slightest thing possible? what exactly is fantastic ? crashig 5 times in 4 rallies while trying to match the speed of the tourists wilson villagra and co. ?

the fact that you followed rallying just for kimi sure is a plus for the sport and somehow i can appreciated....but will you still watch rally when he goes? or just follow him to whatever he does next...?

Well kids can't usually afford to go to about half the F1 races in a year so unfortunately I cannot claim to be under 18....

If you can't see what a great job he's doing then that is your loss... I wonder if all you have seen of him is the tv clips of his little prangs which take up a greater proportion of the tv time than of his actual time on the road... but I am sure you wouldn't be that crass...

Whether I continue to follow rallying after Kimi (however long that is) will depend on one thing... the rallies and drivers that are in the sport... all I can say is that I have had a great time at the rallies I have attended and been welcomed by other spectators and stewards alike...

And it has been a pleasure to have my eyes opened to the sport which I otherwise would not have thought of following...

Don't forget everyone has to get an interest somehow... don't diss Kimi because he has encouraged more interest in the sport...

[Woodeye]

I think it's fully to watch this one "man" battle against the finish managers (not finnish that is), clownboys, stuntmans, kimmikids, tourists, ford, PR, sponsors, money, investements, etc.. Pretty much everyone or anyone. You are making a total ass of yourself, so by all means, keep up the good work. :up:

[Tomi]

you see potential in a guy who is here for 1 year, gets ridiculed by sons of nobodies and other useless privateers and when he goes back to his f1 next year and spits in your face and the sport, you will be stupid enough to even consider him a loss....the only thing i will miss are his slow motion videos or straight line driving.

I dont see the potential, but i dont have any problems with the fact that those guys drives there, i dont pay their driving, and they dont tell me how to use my money, so why should i care how they uses their. Like I said earlier, there is many WRC cars still around that can be used, if there is guys who want to drive.

[snellman]

just let him keep on with his own little jihad against people who tries but might fail, and finish managers (finnish BTW).

[Langdale Forest]

I thought Raikkönen had a British manager? Robertson, or something like that.

His manager is called Steve Robertson. ;)

[Sami]

Someone mentioned "fantastic"? Fantastic is this conversation! It's been a long time I've laughed so sweetly!

But seriously, "someone" said that talent doesn't count anymore? I mean WHAT!?

I see so much talent in top level of rallying, so much potential, that I don't remember for a long time!

Loeb is at his peak, Hirvonen still learning, but able to challenge. Solberg at his new peak, Ogier showing totally untrue levels of skill and speed and Latvala, youngster with a huge career ahead and right now going on! There's a hugely interesting "generation"-shift going on, new drivers are challenging the old ones, and that is breathtaking to wittness. And speed wise rallying is living it's best days ever.

Those 5 drivers would have been able to challenge Sainz, McRae, Grönholm, Kankkunen, Mäkinen, Vatanen, Mikkola, Biasion etc at their time, for sure.

Rallying has become true sport, all those cigerette smoking, beer drinking drivers are out of the game, but still in 1980's, those kind of guys were fighting for victories and championships.

At top level of rallying they are driving faster than ever driving-wise too, not only technology-wise.

And then there's an interesting bonus, we have a rare opportunity to follow one of the best drivers in cirquit racing in our own sport. I enjoy his difficult path on our challenging sport, but I am able to enjoy his successes too. In Turkey he did amazing job, truly! I'm not saying he will raise on absolute top, but he has already done exceptionally well. I can't understand that someone has a problem with that!

About money, problem for "someone" too (many problems, I see?). Our sport is one of the most expensive ones. That is reality. You got no money, you are out. Nice exception of that are Loeb and Ogier, and I like that! All the other drivers have burned own money for the sport, fighting for breakthrough for years.

I personally have invested tens of thousands of euros in my "career", totalled 2 cars in the mean time etc, for me relation to rallying and money is unbroken. And that is the way it goes. Problem with that, follow chess please, or running?

[Hartusvuori]

Loeb is at his peak, Hirvonen still learning, but able to challenge. Solberg at his new peak, Ogier showing totally untrue levels of skill and speed and Latvala, youngster with a huge career ahead and right now going on! There's a hugely interesting "generation"-shift going on, new drivers are challenging the old ones, and that is breathtaking to wittness. And speed wise rallying is living it's best days ever.

+1. Just add Sordo to the mix.

Your post was a good reminder how people love to concentrate only on the negative aspects. Of course they can give critic to current situation, but like you said, it shouldn't be forgot that the guys at the top right now are really at the top. Okey, perhaps cigarette-smoking and beer-drinking drivers are more archetypical "rallying", but sport-wise, they are not. As an argument that "true rallying" is also crippled if at the same breath they demand results - for example, I've seen Wilson Jr. showing spectacular driving on the stage, but sure as hell it ain't spectacular followed through the internet splits.

Perhaps you've already realised than on rallying I'm more of a glass is half full kind of guy...

[Woodeye]

[quote="Sami"]And then there's an interesting bonus, we have a rare opportunity to follow one of the best drivers in cirquit racing in our own sport. I enjoy his difficult path on our challenging sport, but I am able to enjoy his successes too. In Turkey he did amazing job, truly! I'm not saying he will raise on absolute top, but he has already done exceptionally well. I can't understand that someone has a problem with that!

About money, problem for "someone" too (many problems, I see?). Our sport is one of the most expensive ones. That is reality. You got no money, you are out. Nice exception of that are Loeb and Ogier, and I like that! All the other drivers have burned own money for the sport, fighting for breakthrough for years.[quote]

Finally some REALISM. :up: And I couldn't agree more on the first point, it's amazing really to me that someone sees that as negative. It's not about nationality btw, I would be watching anyone else from F1 with similar interest. Like Kubica for example.

Although this "someone" is apparently on a bigger battle against everything. And no words of wisdom or anything else for that matter will do any good.

[Sami]

Hey, if you think that I'm taking back my words, no I'm not!

Realistically Kimi's performance in Turkey was great, but still, he battled with Villagra and Wilson, as I predicted he would be later on in the season. In January people thought I was grazy with my comments, that their grandmas would outpace Wilson.

I hope that everyone realizes now how fast Wilson is doing, he is really fast, and so is Räikkönen. But the distance to the top is still huge. That doesn's make me disrespect Räikkönen or Wilson, but respect Loeb even more.

And everyone saying Wilson is pathetic, I have an OFFER:

Show me that you are better:

Please come and see yourself. I will offer you a blind rally in Finland, car: BMW 325i 200hp beautiful and safe rallycar, made with big heart and lot of skill, drive the famous Finnish rally roads with 120km/h average speeds without notes. Price for the rally: 1500€, incl. tyres, fuel, service...

Let's end all the speculations and check it ourselves. If you are faster than Wilson, frankly, you have to win the rally overall, that is be faster than the 219 other drivers competing in that rally.

[N.O.T]

why do we have to be faster than wilson/kimi/villagra to be able to judge his useless ability to drive a rally ??

Are you better in politics sami than the polititian you judge as incopetent?

Are you better than a painter whose his work consider crap?

Are you better than a chef you ate at his restaurant last week and his food you considered awful?

Are you better at being a CEO of an oil company and you complain about the oil prices ?

do we have to be better than someone to be able to judge his ability ??

[Finni2]

Those 5 drivers would have been able to challenge Sainz, McRae, Grönholm, Kankkunen, Mäkinen, Vatanen, Mikkola, Biasion etc at their time, for sure.


I wouldn't say that Sordo, Hirvonen and Latvala could be put to the same category as Loeb, Grönholm and Solberg-at-his-best. There is still clear speed gap between Loeb versus Sordo/Hirvonen/Latvala. At their best Grönholm and Solberg were able to match Loeb in terms of gravel pace when they had right vehicles. Hirvonen on the contrary is able to match Loeb only in few particular rallies.

If there would be the old kind of road-position system Loeb would outpace others by one minute in a rally distance. In the future I see that only Ogier has potential to trully match Loeb. At the moment Ogier is par with Hirvonen-Latvala-Sordo but there is still noticeable learning curve ahead of him.

Actually I think that in terms of driving potential Ogier and Räikkönen are the most interesting ones to follow in near future.

[Sami]

do we have to be better than someone to be able to judge his ability ??

No we haven't, or actually, maybe we should!? ;)

Anyway, if you won't, you are admitting that you are slower than your grandma (actually I'm not 100% sure that it was you who said that...) :)

What I was trying to emphasise, is a reality check for everyone. Nobody should use the word pathetic of a rallydriver who drives 200km/h between trees and cliffs. I respect everyone who is able to do that, on the international and national level. For the love of our sport and knowledge of the sacrifices made by most of the drivers, both economical and medical (I have injured my neck for the rest of my life, for instance).

And I have big respect for Kimi too, coming from the stability of that roundy-roundy-think to the total unknown of rallying is a huge leap that he had to be aware of!

[Sami]

In the future I see that only Ogier has potential to trully match Loeb. At the moment Ogier is par with Hirvonen-Latvala-Sordo but there is still noticeable learning curve ahead of him.



Agree mostly, but remember Latvala's age please. He will fight with Ogier for championships in a couple of years.

[RS]

Agree mostly, but remember Latvala's age please. He will fight with Ogier for championships in a couple of years.

Maybe, but Ogier is only at the beginning of his second proper year with a WRCar. Latvala has a couple of years more experience on top already.

Ogier's rise has been meteoric.

Kimi's progress has been very good. We should all remember he has very little experience of rallying at all so to be able to be on a par with or ahead of some guys who have been doing this for years is impressive, even if a 5th place finish in a WRC event is nothing much to shout about these days.

[Tomi]

Progress is a strange thing, and very individual, therefore its often very difficult to say who will be fastest when it counts, some guys are very fast as youngsters but kind of fade away or other catch them in progress so that in spectators eyes it looks like that they take steps back.

[N.O.T]

No we haven't, or actually, maybe we should!? ;)

Anyway, if you won't, you are admitting that you are slower than your grandma (actually I'm not 100% sure that it was you who said that...) :)

What I was trying to emphasise, is a reality check for everyone. Nobody should use the word pathetic of a rallydriver who drives 200km/h between trees and cliffs. I respect everyone who is able to do that, on the international and national level. For the love of our sport and knowledge of the sacrifices made by most of the drivers, both economical and medical (I have injured my neck for the rest of my life, for instance).

And I have big respect for Kimi too, coming from the stability of that roundy-roundy-think to the total unknown of rallying is a huge leap that he had to be aware of!

rallying is a multistage sport...i respect every rally driver from local to world level what i will never respect is a person who cannot put things and his abilities into the proper context...

I would have absolutely no problem if all of the above choose to compete in local level where their skills belong...and to be honest i would admire them and respect them far better if they chose to progress through the sport as everyone else.....now from the moment they choose to do the sport at its highest level i would excpect from them to be up to the challenge or at least admit the true reasons they are here for...it would be far more respectable from them. But from the moment i hear comments from wilson about 5 light year plans to become champ, kimi to claim he is here for the love of the sport and he wants to improve and other pathetic lies...then yes i have every right to call them whatever i want since they try to deceive the people who watch the sport.

respect is somethig you earn in your life according to me...

and in a sport where the only thing you need to do is pay to be called a sportsman at its highest level (unlike most of other sports...) then you have to prove your worth to earn my respect.

[N.O.T]

i think i just broke the world record of using the word "sport" in a 7 line text.....yoooohoooo...

[N.O.T]

Maybe, but Ogier is only at the beginning of his second proper year with a WRCar. Latvala has a couple of years more experience on top already.

Ogier's rise has been meteoric.



this is what happens to people with talent their rise is indeed meteoric, for those its easy to have a very spectacular improvement in the first couple of years.....but those final hundreds of a second through the stage are difficult to achieve to be champion or another challenger for a guy with talent.

[Rallyper]

N.O.T. I don´t think you understood what SAMI was trying to say.

Every driver in WRC at top 10 level is at top in their home countries. They are too good to just drive in the farmers league at home.

They are in the WRC - with or without own money or parents who pay.

If you just try to read what SAMI says in a proper way and don´t just be 180 degrees against I think you´d earn much more respect on this site!

[N.O.T]

N.O.T. I don´t think you understood what SAMI was trying to say.

Every driver in WRC at top 10 level is at top in their home countries. They are too good to just drive in the farmers league at home.

They are in the WRC - with or without own money or parents who pay.

If you just try to read what SAMI says in a proper way and don´t just be 180 degrees against I think you´d earn much more respect on this site!

so kimi would be finish champion....wilson would be able to faster than meeke and wilks in the IRC...ok

As for earning respect from an internet forum its not in my immediate life goals....

[Rallyper]

so kimi would be finish champion....wilson would be able to faster than meeke and wilks in the IRC...ok

As for earning respect from an internet forum its not in my immediate life goals....

Well, it sure isn´t from your point of view I know. But it´s how your fellow rallyknowers think, no matter what you say.

Now back to topic (or is it?): Wilson was when he contested in England back a some years one of the fastest in natinal GB-series.
For Kimi - you have to accept the circumstances and accept that he´s paying or gets payed for driving in WRC. He shouldn´t be if he wasn´t able to be fast and maybe coming champion, no one knows that yet - if not you, my friend N.O.T can read the future...

I too think that there are proven fast drivers that should be there as well, Atko, Duval, PG, Meeke Garde etz, but they aren´t. So what could we do about it? Except from vomating over the fault they aren´t, like you do. It won´t help...

[Sami]

It would be nice by the way to know what N.O.T thinks about those tourists "stealing" wrcars that are not even close to top ten in wrc, like Therman, Arolainen, Merksteijns, Kuipers, Boland etc.

They should be put to jail, I guess?

[N.O.T]

those are privateers...everything comes out of their pockets and maybe from a few local sponsors....and you will never hear one of those presenting himself as the next start or having 20 year plans, they do selected events to have fun and that is fine with me...they drive they have fun spending their money (thats what money are for after all).

i am not against privateers, i am against drivers who with nothing to show and offer to the sport are presented as future stars, futre champions and amazing talents ects. i would definately would like to see the citroen of kimi to be shared by 2-3 drivers (kimi included) that could prove something with their performance and maybe draw some sponsoring for their future plans than to see another challenger of wilson and villagra trying to drive.

As for wilson i would prefer not to see him at all in the WRC and the money his daddy spends could be spent on further testing and development because currently Loeb is way ahead in terms of skill from the ford drivers so a better car would certainly help.

and to keep the conversation in context if kimi was here with a 3 year plan i would certainly respect him more....but what he does right now is keeping himself in the spotlight using a sport he iis totally worthless at just to manage and get a job next year.

[Woodeye]

those are privateers...everything comes out of their pockets and maybe from a few local sponsors....and you will never hear one of those presenting himself as the next start or having 20 year plans, they do selected events to have fun and that is fine with me...they drive they have fun spending their money (thats what money are for after all).

i am not against privateers, i am against drivers who with nothing to show and offer to the sport are presented as future stars, futre champions and amazing talents ects. i would definately would like to see the citroen of kimi to be shared by 2-3 drivers (kimi included) that could prove something with their performance and maybe draw some sponsoring for their future plans than to see another challenger of wilson and villagra trying to drive.

As for wilson i would prefer not to see him at all in the WRC and the money his daddy spends could be spent on further testing and development because currently Loeb is way ahead in terms of skill from the ford drivers so a better car would certainly help.

and to keep the conversation in context if kimi was here with a 3 year plan i would certainly respect him more....but what he does right now is keeping himself in the spotlight using a sport he iis totally worthless at just to manage and get a job next year.

Hey, wow! No sick dogs or any crap like that on that post, great. :up: I think that you see Kimi as a bit of a too big problem. The impression I've gotten from all the stuff written about him over here (and that's a lot) is that he really is serious with rallying and his plan is to stay in the sport. OK, none knows what he will do next year, but my guess is that if he decides to go back to F1, he will be back anyway to rally within few years from that. I don't think he is lying or deciving anyone. Could it be, just could it be, that he is in rally really to have some fun and that's it?

[havk]

Hey, wow! No sick dogs or any crap like that on that post, great. :up: I think that you see Kimi as a bit of a too big problem. The impression I've gotten from all the stuff written about him over here (and that's a lot) is that he really is serious with rallying and his plan is to stay in the sport. OK, none knows what he will do next year, but my guess is that if he decides to go back to F1, he will be back anyway to rally within few years from that. I don't think he is lying or deciving anyone. Could it be, just could it be, that he is in rally really to have some fun and that's it?

I agree. I don't know why N.O.T has a impression that Kimi is deciving rally funs. I bet he will return F1 next year to fight for another title and then after one, two years go back to rallies. BTW Renault F1 driver, Robert Kubica is also interested in rallies, he starts in Rally Mille Miglia. Here's online results: http://rally.ficr.it/tab_schedule.asp?p_Anno=2010&p_Codice=29&p_Manifestazione=22

[LadySnowcat]

Hmmm...

Is there anything that NOT doesn't see as a problem bless him...

His life would just be impossible if all his dreams came true...

There are the "glass half full" people...

The glass "half empty" people...

And the "I've NOT even got a glass" people...

But it does keep the forum going round and round...

[Langdale Forest]

Any prediction to what Kimmi will acheve in Portugal?

Apparentley he doing some tarmac testing already...

[MJW]

I think that Kimi will return to F1 in 2011, probably replacing Mark Webber at RED BULL RACING, with Mark off to Ferrari as Alonso's #2, in a big money deal and the kudos of being a Ferrari F1 driver. Apparently Citroen have said they want to run 3 cars in 2011 for Loeb, Ogier, and Sordo - I would have thought they would have wanted to hang onto Kimi just for his publicity value, but no mention of Kimi in Citroen's plans.
Maybe Kimi leads a new Tommi Makinen Racing Mazda team?

[Langdale Forest]

Maybe Kimi leads a new Tommi Makinen Racing Mazda team?

Mazda in WRC next year!? :eek:

[GallardoGT]

Why don't a lot of you understand what is going on?

Kimi will be a WRC driver next year because:

- Kimi want to be the first world champion in F1 ánd Rally.

- Kimi accepted not to compete in New Zealand. He understood that it was also a mental test from Citroën before the season to deliver results. For Kimi this was an investment for 2011.

- Kimi will have no problems with more high revving 1.6l turbo engines in 2011 with his expirience in F1.

- etc, etc

BTW, if Kimi was born twenty years earlier it was another case because F1 sucks nowadays.

[MJW]

I think that Kimi will return to F1 in 2011, probably replacing Mark Webber at RED BULL RACING, with Mark off to Ferrari as Alonso's #2, in a big money deal and the kudos of being a Ferrari F1 driver. Apparently Citroen have said they want to run 3 cars in 2011 for Loeb, Ogier, and Sordo - I would have thought they would have wanted to hang onto Kimi just for his publicity value, but no mention of Kimi in Citroen's plans.
Maybe Kimi leads a new Tommi Makinen Racing Mazda team?
Looks like I was wrong

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83912

[Carlo]

Looks like I was wrong



Bet that is something that we will never see N.O.T announce

[GallardoGT]

Motorsport is like the real world: You have mainstream media that delivers F1 info and alternative more or less independant media that deals with the real stuff.

Kimi has woken up and don't want to go back ;)

[N.O.T]

nice drive so far....i think he is using the backwards development tactic...

[Langdale Forest]

i was mightley impressed to see his legendary drives today... he really showed the other WRC boys what he is capable of....

[vkangas]

Portugal day 1 added:

http://i47.tinypic.com/2ccp85g.png

[vkangas]

After Portugal:

http://i46.tinypic.com/2rz7y2q.png

[N.O.T]

is the slow motion video from portugal ready ?

[cut the b.s.]

Bet that is something that we will never see N.O.T announce

if he admitted he was wrong every time he would have over 22000 posts now!

[N.O.T]

i am never wrong....

i sometimes misjudge things but i am never 100% wrong.

[Iskald]

i am never wrong....

i sometimes misjudge things but i am never 100% wrong.

Can you please define 100% wrong? Would be nice to know for those of us who think you are partly wrong (or should that be wrongish?) most of the time ;)

[N.O.T]

ask me this question next time you think i said something you disagree and you will get the answer.

[Iskald]

ask me this question next time you think i said something you disagree and you will get the answer.

I really don`t think it matters much...

[Barreis]

The Ice Man please go somewhere where is much better - F1..

[Langdale Forest]

is the slow motion video from portugal ready ?

I think this is the 4th time you have said that this year....


The Ice Man please go somewhere where is much better - F1..

Why?

[snellman]

kimi still in the lead in the lanterna rally :)

[Hartusvuori]

kimi still in the lead in the lanterna rally :)

Ogier wins it, Kimi 2nd 5,7s behind.

If Kimi can keep up this pace on asphalt, he will definitely give Villagra some hell.

[miksu]

Ogier wins it, Kimi 2nd 5,7s behind.

If Kimi can keep up this pace on asphalt, he will definitely give Villagra some hell.

he will probably improve, and give all the ford drivers hell

[MR666]

Always new he would be a good asphalt driver.... still see him needing more seat time before he is super fast... did have a good lead at the lanterna rally but Ogier was able to catch and pass him so still room for alot more speed.

[N.O.T]

he will probably improve, and give all the ford drivers hell

even wilson ??? how many years you give him to beat wilson in mens rallies and not lady events like turkey, greece ects ?

[giangino]

Video rally Lanterna 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saas9eU_-Eo

[pino]

Video rally Lanterna 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saas9eU_-Eo


Grazie :D

[giangino]

Photos rally Lanterna 2010 online... http://www.avetowrc.com/

[N.O.T]

hmmmmm...

i just checked the times of the rally laterna....Kimis times are pathetic...he lost most stages from Silva and felice Re !!!!!

i thought that through the rally he and ogier were 2nd and ogier was 1st all the time when he put the proper tyres on and didn;t tackle the wet on slicks.

Kimis times were laughable !!!!

I expect a lot of pain is spain !!!!

[Aquagen]

Photos rally Lanterna 2010 online... http://www.avetowrc.com/Nice pics :cool:

[Sulland]

NOT happy is still drinking too little Ouzo I see...

But Ogier is impressed: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84526

[N.O.T]

if redbull showered me with cash as well i would be more than impressed with a guy who lost stages to felice RE....

[N.O.T]

NOT happy is still drinking too little Ouzo I see...

But Ogier is impressed: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84526

Nogier was impressed not Ogier...

Nogier team boss of junior team = if redbull is impressed he is impressed, red bull invests in kimi so they are impressed even if he cooks eggs for breakfast. if redbull says jump he doesn't even ask how high.....

[Tom206wrc]

Räikkönen 4th overall after three long stages of Rally Bulgaria !!! Who would have bet this ???? :eek: :eek:

[vkangas]

Räikkönen 4th overall after three long stages of Rally Bulgaria !!! Who would have bet this ???? :eek: :eek:

I've bet a reasonable amount of money that Kimi will finish atleast once in top 3 this season. ;) I will not fall to misery if he fails to do it, but 1:10 odds before season start were enough to convince me...now the odds are totally different...

[vkangas]

Time for an update.

http://i27.tinypic.com/op4fpl.png

[Blazquez]

There are rumours that Kimi will drive in a F1 seat nexst year! can`t confirm it yet.
Sadly... the WRC need more attention!

[GigiGalliNo1]

Well hope he goes - he's so boring to listen to in interviews and watch on tv after stages/service park...

[N.O.T]

he really doesn't offer much in the WRC as he is, so i guess its better for him to go back in F1.

[ZequeArgentina]

I think Raikkonen s doing reasonably well
Probably trying to much to get to sped no less than Loeb or Sordo in tarmac, but his lack of previous experience cannot be dismissed.

Some say Spain would be his best shot, but I guessed Bulgaria was the one, and Kimi must have known it. That could be the reason for his excessive push.

Bulgaria was new for everyone, while Spain is a well known event for everyone but him.

I expect him to deliver some good times on repeated stages, btnot to climb to4th overall like he was in Bulgaria.

Well doen Kimi, I preffer to risk toget to toptimes than to get experince will driving safe.

[johunn]

he really doesn't offer much in the WRC as he is, so i guess its better for him to go back in F1.

Name someone who offers more then :D Wilson is just stupidly slow. Ford drivers hardly ever achieve anything spectacular and their interviews are not that exciting. Ogier is only exciting because he is a new talent. Loeb is purely amazing and one can never get bored of watching him conquer everything there is to conquer but there are not that many exciting things that he does to spice the competition up. Out of all the guys Petter has got the best personality and the fact that he has to drive in a private team wins him more supporters. Kimi and Ken Block on the other hand are there just for the show. And to my knowledge they deliver. Not afraid of crashing out. Driving to the best of their ability. Which is not too shabby considering their backgrounds. What WRC needs is more manufacturers and more drivers that are willing to go flat out. Currently all you need to do is nurse your car home and you get points.

[N.O.T]

Name someone who offers more then :D Wilson is just stupidly slow. Ford drivers hardly ever achieve anything spectacular and their interviews are not that exciting. Ogier is only exciting because he is a new talent. Loeb is purely amazing and one can never get bored of watching him conquer everything there is to conquer but there are not that many exciting things that he does to spice the competition up. Out of all the guys Petter has got the best personality and the fact that he has to drive in a private team wins him more supporters. Kimi and Ken Block on the other hand are there just for the show. And to my knowledge they deliver. Not afraid of crashing out. Driving to the best of their ability. Which is not too shabby considering their backgrounds. What WRC needs is more manufacturers and more drivers that are willing to go flat out. Currently all you need to do is nurse your car home and you get points.

lol

[Mirek]

Name someone who offers more then :D Wilson is just stupidly slow. Ford drivers hardly ever achieve anything spectacular and their interviews are not that exciting. Ogier is only exciting because he is a new talent. Loeb is purely amazing and one can never get bored of watching him conquer everything there is to conquer but there are not that many exciting things that he does to spice the competition up. Out of all the guys Petter has got the best personality and the fact that he has to drive in a private team wins him more supporters. Kimi and Ken Block on the other hand are there just for the show. And to my knowledge they deliver. Not afraid of crashing out. Driving to the best of their ability. Which is not too shabby considering their backgrounds. What WRC needs is more manufacturers and more drivers that are willing to go flat out. Currently all you need to do is nurse your car home and you get points.

The only interesting thing I saw from Kimi so far was a lot of crashes. Ignoring stage interviews is not what amuses me a lot...

I don't have a problem with him driving WRC. It's his choice and he can do whatever he wants but please don't make him a rally god. World didn't collapse when he entered WRC and won't collapse when he leaves. In few years it will be just an interesting episode for rally and F1 historiographers.

[Rallyper]

Well Mirec, I don´t agree.

We have to let Kimi develop in his own way. Let´s wait and see. If he stays, which I do really hope, then we´ll see a WRC star in just one or two years from now.

So let´s take care of the famous or those personalities who maybe are not so fast in the beginning in the WRC and just not sack everyone, because even though they don´t fit in at the beginning but will do after a while. :cool:

[Mirek]

Read also what I was quoting ;)

[N.O.T]

then we´ll see a WRC star in just one or two years from now.


slow his development a bit please so we have a battle for the championship between him and WIlson.

[Rallyper]

]Read also what I was quoting ;)

OK, I read between the lines in the first place... :o

BTW Mirec, are you attending NORF this year? And N.O.T. same for you, attending NORF 2010?

[Mirek]

Unfortunately I have no time for rallies before Barum and even that I can't attend full :(

[Tom206wrc]

There are rumours that Kimi will drive in a F1 seat nexst year! can`t confirm it yet.
Sadly... the WRC need more attention!


I don't trust in these rumours :cool:

[Boudica]

he really doesn't offer much in the WRC as he is, so i guess its better for him to go back in F1.

I guess that depends on how you look at things. Take Red Bull as an example, who else are they going to sponsor in WRC, who will give them better publicity then Kimi? And that is afterall the main purpose why companies invest in motosport - advertisement. But the answer is simple, no one not even Loeb, and that is kind of the issue at the same time. Loeb, Mikko and Latvala are all very nice down to earth guys, but that is the problem, it makes them a little bit dull in the media world. While when it comes to Kimi whether you love or hate him, he's got a way of making headlines whether it is for running around in gorilla suits, eating icecream or crashing out in rallies he can at least generate some interest.

And that is what, you need PR wise, someone who can create a bit of controversy even if it is for being purposely dull in interviews. And guys like Loeb and Mikko just dont create enough controversy to keep people interested. As far as PR goes Kimi is obviously worth it, enough for Red Bull at least to invest in him. But you wouldn't really expect the hardcore fans to care about this. The hardcore rally fans would obviously much rather go with the best drivers available, which is fair enough. But these executives are obviously not targeting the hardcore fans (who are already following the sport), when it comes to future or potential publicity. Kimi is really well known around the world, much more then even Loeb for example, and that type of PR is big business these days and Kimi has a lot fans, he creates controversy, his got a cool attitude, he is good looking and he is A F1 WDC. PR wise I guess Kimi's got more then enough going for him, and those are also properly the type of attributes that will get the younger generation interested, which is exactly what every company wants. And once again I've read that Kimi had a lot of fans in Bulgaria, and those executives notice these type of things.

The hardcore fans will properly not like it, but I think Kimi will be staying on in WRC. :)

[Red bull]

I guess that depends on how you look at things. Take Red Bull as an example, who else are they going to sponsor in WRC, who will give them better publicity then Kimi? And that is afterall the main purpose why companies invest in motosport - advertisement. But the answer is simple, no one not even Loeb, and that is kind of the issue at the same time. Loeb, Mikko and Latvala are all very nice down to earth guys, but that is the problem, it makes them a little bit dull in the media world. While when it comes to Kimi whether you love or hate him, he's got a way of making headlines whether it is for running around in gorilla suits, eating icecream or crashing out in rallies he can at least generate some interest.

And that is what, you need PR wise, someone who can create a bit of controversy even if it is for being purposely dull in interviews. And guys like Loeb and Mikko just dont create enough controversy to keep people interested. As far as PR goes Kimi is obviously worth it, enough for Red Bull at least to invest in him. But you wouldn't really expect the hardcore fans to care about this. The hardcore rally fans would obviously much rather go with the best drivers available, which is fair enough. But these executives are obviously not targeting the hardcore fans (who are already following the sport), when it comes to future or potential publicity. Kimi is really well known around the world, much more then even Loeb for example, and that type of PR is big business these days and Kimi has a lot fans, he creates controversy, his got a cool attitude, he is good looking and he is A F1 WDC. PR wise I guess Kimi's got more then enough going for him, and those are also properly the type of attributes that will get the younger generation interested, which is exactly what every company wants. And once again I've read that Kimi had a lot of fans in Bulgaria, and those executives notice these type of things.

The hardcore fans will properly not like it, but I think Kimi will be staying on in WRC. :)
what a waste..hes killing chances of young drivers who would have made the wrc more intresting,theres no difference btwn him an conrad only he was F1 champ.

[donlorean]

what a waste..hes killing chances of young drivers who would have made the wrc more intresting,theres no difference btwn him an conrad only he was F1 champ.

Don't think so... Red Bull pays only Kimi's bill's and they wouldn't give a dime to young driver's. So optios are 10.000.000€ to Kimi or 0€ to youngsters... They choose Kimi...

[Red bull]

red bull should have used their money better by making him win another F1 title it would have made good PR for them than the wrc crashes.

[johunn]

I agree with you Boudica. PR wise it was a smart move. But it is only a smart move with the current conditions. If there were 20 top guys competing then Kimi wouldn't make headlines for everything he does. But currently there are only a few talented drivers and the others are just not world class. I personally reckon that Kimi's involvement is good in the long run. Although he cashes in heaps he also brings more audiences. This in return brings in more money and helps some of the younger guns.

[Rallyper]

I agree with you Boudica. PR wise it was a smart move. But it is only a smart move with the current conditions. If there were 20 top guys competing then Kimi wouldn't make headlines for everything he does. But currently there are only a few talented drivers and the others are just not world class. I personally reckon that Kimi's involvement is good in the long run. Although he cashes in heaps he also brings more audiences. This in return brings in more money and helps some of the younger guns.

Loeb did have some extra publicity last year when he went off the road a couple of times in a row, but as said not even Loeb as the best driver is enough for the media. Kimi is.

[donlorean]

From Autosport:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85282

"A Red Bull source confirmed to AUTOSPORT that it is close to a deal with Raikkonen: "We are very happy with what Kimi has done this season. He is very good for the Red Bull brand and we are looking to extend his agreement into next year. I think this is likely.""

[N.O.T]

hmmm it will be interesting to see in what car is he going to compete in if he stays....since production of the 1.6T cars is going to be limited at least for te start of 2011. hope he stays healthy until next season and do what he likes.

[cosmicpanda]

what a waste..hes killing chances of young drivers who would have made the wrc more intresting,theres no difference btwn him an conrad only he was F1 champ.

To be fair, that's quite a difference and one that is indicative of significant skill. I find watching an F1 champ tackle rallying interesting and I admire him for giving it a go.

[Woodeye]

hmmm it will be interesting to see in what car is he going to compete in if he stays....since production of the 1.6T cars is going to be limited at least for te start of 2011. hope he stays healthy until next season and do what he likes.

Am I sensing positive attitude towards Kimi? :) Anyway, I like the last sentence you wrote, that's exactly the way it should go. :up:

[AndyRAC]

If true, it's really good news. Especially as F1 were desperate to get him back. WRC gets one over F1......

[Julle69]

From the article Donlorean posted before, here is Loeb thoughts (=advice) for Kimi's decision:

Sebastien Loeb agrees that it would benefit Raikkonen to stay for at least a second year in the WRC.
"He should, because this year he is only learning," Loeb said. "He cannot be competitive this year and if he stops then he has lost this year. If he continues next year he will arrive on the rallies knowing where he is.
"He has the notes, he can modify them, which is much easier than this year when he had to make them all from the start. He will know better the stages in his head. He can improve a lot from this year to next year.
"Especially because we all change cars, so he will get in the new car and we will also. I'm sure he would have more chances to succeed next season."

[DonJippo]

hmmm it will be interesting to see in what car is he going to compete in if he stays....since production of the 1.6T cars is going to be limited at least for te start of 2011.

He will have Citroen 1.6T from the beginning of the season.

[N.O.T]

hmmm a bit risky decision for citroen...they might run out of cars if they give their WRCs to anyone like that...

[Julle69]

Isn't there own serie for S2000 cars next year, maybe Kimi drive there. This again shows how stupid decision it was to switch for 1.6l engines. There is still only few cars/ drivers competing for WRC title...

[jacko]

what a waste..hes killing chances of young drivers who would have made the wrc more intresting,theres no difference btwn him an conrad only he was F1 champ.

They from RedBull do what they think it's best for the company and they are doing it very well so far. They did sponsering young drivers in the past like Andreas Aigner and nowtoday a norwegian driver in the PWRC. Also they are sponsering many other sportevents that doesn't well know to the worldwide public.
Think as a true rally-lover you must be happy with every company that invest a lot of money in rally and RedBull has invest a lot of money over the last 10years with sponsering works-teams as well local drivers.

Now with Kimi they have plenty of interest and that's exactly what was the plan of RB.
And Kimi is doing good, the stage times, specially on the last rally are not bad, it's his first year! and already faster than both Wilson & Rautenbach ever would be.
Next year he has a season in the bag and everrybody drives new cars, so it would be a waste for Kimi to go back to F1.

I think you can only judge after two (whole) seasons about the results/ progression etc. But some people here think they can judge well enough behind their PC after a few rounds, that's a big big laugh to me. Poor people...

[vkangas]

After Germany update. I changed the format so that it's easier to follow progress.

Expected better from him in Germany overall, but atleast he managed to get one fastest SS time. :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/b8me75.png

[Boudica]

After Germany update. I changed the format so that it's easier to follow progress.

Expected better from him in Germany overall, but atleast he managed to get one fastest SS time. :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/b8me75.png

Thanks! Kimi sounded quite disappointed with himself. But I think he did alright on day two and three, it was on day one where he really struggled. It seems like it was a difficult rally, and there were lots of gravel on the roads. Isn't there tarmac rallies with smoother roads? :p :

I think Kimi was properly more consistent.

[N.O.T]

the graph shows what kimi was from the start...a racing driver with nothing to offer to the sport...very inconsistent with many mistakes even when going at walking pace. Next year is time for the unemployment office once more or some sponsor money leeching to stay and amuse us.

[Rallyper]

As I´ve said before: give Kimi this season maybe next, and he well could be wrc-champ in 2012.

Kimi just doing fine and nothing else is to wait at this time.

[Barreis]

If he's smart he'll go back to F1..

[vkangas]

If he's smart he'll go back to F1..

Kimi said three days ago that returning to F1 is very unlikely and he thinks F1 career is over. He has many different options next year and one unlikely option is also that he's not driving anything next year.

[Boudica]

Kimi said three days ago that returning to F1 is very unlikely and he thinks F1 career is over. He has many different options next year and one unlikely option is also that he's not driving anything next year.

Yes, that was strange, and apparently that article was quickly removed from MTV3, I cant be sure but I think the Robertsons might be busy planning something.

[MJW]

Yes, that was strange, and apparently that article was quickly removed from MTV3, I cant be sure but I think the Robertsons might be busy planning something.
Whilst Kimi is happy in rallying I suspect Steve Robertson wants a return to racing. Just something I picked up on a TV interview beginning of the year, I think it was Arctic Rally time.
Found the link, about 2 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53VamgyhxPI

[JRodrigues]

I doubt there is a rally driver that as won a SS with so few rallies under is belt :up:

[N.O.T]

yes indeed....and especially when the second fastest on that stage was wilson....quite an achievment...

[grugsticles]

After Germany update. I changed the format so that it's easier to follow progress.

Expected better from him in Germany overall, but atleast he managed to get one fastest SS time. :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/b8me75.png
Nice graph!
There is a definite trend of increased speed. But, he does seem to struggle a bit on day 1 which is fair enough.
For someone in thier first attempt at WRC to be only 1-1.5 sec/km off Loeb's pace (Turkley, Finland, Germany) is pretty damn good IMO espetially as he seems to be getting faster as the season progresses.

Go Kimi!

[A.F.F.]

Yes, that was strange, and apparently that article was quickly removed from MTV3, I cant be sure but I think the Robertsons might be busy planning something.

Yet the reporter in MTV3's rally footages mentioned it a few times. I guess the footages in the future include the famous "pleep" sound :D

[Mintexmemory]

the graph shows what kimi was from the start...a racing driver with nothing to offer to the sport...

And also from my observations in the service park over the weekend he has no engagement with the spirit of the sport. The routine I observed on every occasion:- Arrive in service, get out of car, ignore requests from fans, disappear into area behind Citroen wagons. Come out of hideyhole and get straight into car without even an acknowledgment of applause and drive off thankful, no doubt, for the heat deflecting mirror glass.
Now, I understand that living your life in public can become boring but surely engaging with the people who buy the cars, merchandise etc goes with the territory. I'm not suggesting that he copies 'Hollywood's' PR abilities but Petter is genuinely admired for what he gives back to the fans (especially the Mad Croc promo girls yesterday :lips :)
Saying he's 'essentially shy' doesn't cut it for me, as the drivers collected their cars from the service assembly area, about 1500 hrs, he repeated the performance - despite the fact that there were less than 100 fans spread around the perimeter fence - i.e a very relaxed, non-hassling situation. Every other driver, including the guy who'd just won his 8th in a row, was signing, shaking hands and posing with fans for pictures. It didn't look like shyness, just arrogant disregard for the paying public (who were only behaving in an entirely respectful manner).
I'll now go and lie in a darkened room as it appears I'm in some sort of agreement with N.O.T :disturb:

[jacko]

And also from my observations in the service park over the weekend he has no engagement with the spirit of the sport. The routine I observed on every occasion:- Arrive in service, get out of car, ignore requests from fans, disappear into area behind Citroen wagons. Come out of hideyhole and get straight into car without even an ....
...I'll now go and lie in a darkened room as it appears I'm in some sort of agreement with N.O.T :disturb:

Fully agree here, did the same observation, he's in his own world.
Maybe in Finnland he was more open but i doubt it.
About his performances, think you can judge it after 2years, for now it's all about learning. In Spain he will be faster for sure as the roads are more "ciircuit". But i don't think Kimi will ever be a WRC champ, can't be true.

[vkangas]

Yes, that was strange, and apparently that article was quickly removed from MTV3, I cant be sure but I think the Robertsons might be busy planning something.

It's still there:
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2010/08/1172977

[Boudica]

Whilst Kimi is happy in rallying I suspect Steve Robertson wants a return to racing. Just something I picked up on a TV interview beginning of the year, I think it was Arctic Rally time.
Found the link, about 2 minutes in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53VamgyhxPI

I think you are spot on, the Robertson will properly have massive budget cuts next year. :D


It's still there:
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/ralli/2010/08/1172977

Okay thanks, some other Finns said the article was removed. Perhaps they meant it was removed from TS now that I think about it. I just thought it was MTV3 since that is were it first appeared.

[Boudica]

And also from my observations in the service park over the weekend he has no engagement with the spirit of the sport. The routine I observed on every occasion:- Arrive in service, get out of car, ignore requests from fans, disappear into area behind Citroen wagons. Come out of hideyhole and get straight into car without even an acknowledgment of applause and drive off thankful, no doubt, for the heat deflecting mirror glass.
Now, I understand that living your life in public can become boring but surely engaging with the people who buy the cars, merchandise etc goes with the territory. I'm not suggesting that he copies 'Hollywood's' PR abilities but Petter is genuinely admired for what he gives back to the fans (especially the Mad Croc promo girls yesterday :lips :)
Saying he's 'essentially shy' doesn't cut it for me, as the drivers collected their cars from the service assembly area, about 1500 hrs, he repeated the performance - despite the fact that there were less than 100 fans spread around the perimeter fence - i.e a very relaxed, non-hassling situation. Every other driver, including the guy who'd just won his 8th in a row, was signing, shaking hands and posing with fans for pictures. It didn't look like shyness, just arrogant disregard for the paying public (who were only behaving in an entirely respectful manner).
I'll now go and lie in a darkened room as it appears I'm in some sort of agreement with N.O.T :disturb:

I can definitely see why some people don't like this, and it has been a reoccurring theme throughout Kimi's F1 career. However Kimi has a complicated public image. While someone like Petter is known and well liked for his open type of PR persona, Kimi is exactly liked for the opposite. Kimi is liked for being anti-PR or anti-establishment, and for doing what he wants, so in other words properly for being a bit of a rebel. And this works for Kimi, he has always been this way, and Kimi fans understands this well and they dont have a problem with it. And Kimi has loads of fans, it doesn't exactly hurt his popularity. But even so a few Kimi fans that always went to F1 races, have gone to some rallies this year and they have all said that Kimi was actually much more engaging with the fans then he was in F1.

I agree it is certainly not the correct PR thing to do, but Kimi has never done the correct PR things, he is properly the driver in motorsport who is the worst with traditional PR hand down. But at the same time he has always been one the more popular drivers.
It is always fans of other drivers who complain about this, and honestly I can see their point. But Kimi's own fans dont care about it. Would it hurt Kimi to be a bit friendlier? No, of course not. But he has been doing this for nine years, so he is not suddenly going to change, and he doesn't care what people think about him.

In conclusion I would say that, Kimi is good with brewing up controversy, and people sometimes like controversy. So I guess that is the way he generates interests. I have always thought that as long as Kimi isn't really alienating is own fans, it is okay, and the fans that went to Germany are pleased as punch. In fact it would properly bother his fans much more if he suddenly started being proficient in PR, it would make him appear fake or as selling out. As strange as that might sound to fans of other drivers. That is about all I can say about that, Kimi is like Marmite or either love it or you dont. :s mokin:

[Sulland]

I agree it is certainly not the correct PR thing to do, but Kimi has never done the correct PR things, he is properly the driver in motorsport who is the worst with traditional PR hand down. But at the same time he has always been one the more popular drivers.
It is always fans of other drivers who complain about this, and honestly I can see their point. But Kimi's own fans dont care about it. Would it hurt Kimi to be a bit friendlier? No, of course not. But he has been doing this for nine years, so he is not suddenly going to change, and he doesn't care what people think about him.


He has never been very extrovert, thats how he is, and that has also become his image - we just have to accept and respect that this is how Kimi is.

AS far as I have read, he is talking a lot more in small private groups, and not all of us here either would have been perfect as a PR object......

[Mintexmemory]

He has never been very extrovert, thats how he is, and that has also become his image - we just have to accept and respect that this is how Kimi is.

AS far as I have read, he is talking a lot more in small private groups, and not all of us here either would have been perfect as a PR object......

...and in 1977 punks rushed to the mosh to be spat on by the band (and to spit back) - fine if that is the scene you are into. As for introvertness just being an image, 'we' (by which I take you to mean all rally fans) have to accept and respect, I take the view that arrogant disrespect for the paying public (my interpretation of KRs behaviour) deserves nothing in return. In his favour at least he is consistent in that he treats the media in the same manner, unlike some F1 drivers I've observed. Bottom line - some class and some manners wouldn't go amiss.

[Boudica]

...and in 1977 punks rushed to the mosh to be spat on by the band (and to spit back) - fine if that is the scene you are into. As for introvertness just being an image, 'we' (by which I take you to mean all rally fans) have to accept and respect, I take the view that arrogant disrespect for the paying public (my interpretation of KRs behaviour) deserves nothing in return. In his favour at least he is consistent in that he treats the media in the same manner, unlike some F1 drivers I've observed. Bottom line - some class and some manners wouldn't go amiss. -Soren-

Well as I have said this is what some Kimi fans thought, for example:



I will say that when Kimi flew by on the last stage I was filming him. But I put the camera down after that. Cause I could tell he was taking no prisoners. He went by us 3 times and we screamed like madmen cheering him on and pumping our fists. After Kimi had completed the last stage and his time went up on the screen we couldnt believe it. It was so fast. When it had sunk in that no one could beat him we cheered and gave each other hugs and he might as well have won an F1 race as far as we were concerned. I get a little emotional just writing about it. Lol. But its Kimi so.. you know. Im sure even Loeb would have struggled beating him if he had pushed.
A great end to a great weekend and it was an anticlimax getting into the shuttle to the airport and missing the ceremony. One of the girls I mentioned before met Kimi and congratulated him on his first stage win. And I would have been right beside her if I didnt have to leave. Bummer. I dont care about autographs and stuff but it would have been nice to congratulate him. Oh well. Maybe next time :)


I came home from Trier last night and I have to say that it was such a great great experience to see Kimi driving and see him very often outside the car. You can´t see the drivers so often outside the car in F1. I got a photo with Kimi and also an autograph.
On Friday we went to the parc fermé and their we could see Kimi and Kaj parking their car and going to their shuttle bus back to the hotel. There Kimi gave a lot of autographs and they had to wait a long time in the bus for the other Citroen drivers so I could see him for a long time. Yesterday we saw him againg giving autographs while he was waiting to drive to the podium for winning the last stage "Circus Maximus".
Today I looked at my photos on the laptop and now I´m realizing how great it was. If Kimi stays at the WRC I´ll go to the Rallye next year.
-F194girl-



So I dont know maybe you just saw him at a different time? In any case if dont like Kimi then you dont like him.

[Boudica]

What is this story about Kimi perhaps switching to Ford? I am pretty sure those Robertsons are up to something.

SPOX: That means the Formula 1 fans will not see you ever again in a GP-car?

Räikkönen: I will not express it like that. We will see. First, we have to drive this season to the end and then we have to clear some things up. Afterwards, we will see further.


http://www.spox.com/de/sport/formel1/1008/Artikel/kimi-raeikkoenen-interview-ferrari-sebastian-vettel-comeback-rallye-deutschland-mode-politik.html

This interview was done after the rally.

[tmx]

What is this story about Kimi perhaps switching to Ford? Doesn't makes sense to me because his sponsor is Red Bull and they also sponsor an F1 team. Also he's in a more competitive car now, he wouldn't switch unless he know exactly the Fiesta would be better than DS3. Why would he make it harder on himself.

I'm just happy to know he's enjoying rallying and looks like planning to stay. But yes, we'll see a different winner for Spa grand pix this year.

[Tomi]

What is this story about Kimi perhaps switching to Ford? I am pretty sure those Robertsons are up to something.

Do you mean the story from MTV3 site? I dont know who the writer is but he propably feel ashame him self too because he never put his name anywhere.
But for sure its not from Anette or Tomi Tuominen, sometimes it looks like Kimi has an own PR person at MTV3 who makes stories about nothing.

[DonJippo]

Do you mean the story from MTV3 site? I dont know who the writer is but he propably feel ashame him self too because he never put his name anywhere.
But for sure its not from Anette or Tomi Tuominen, sometimes it looks like Kimi has an own PR person at MTV3 who makes stories about nothing.

That story is originally from TS by H. Kulta. MTV3 has cut few "corners" as in full interview M. Wilson says that it would be possible for Kimi to drive with Ford next year but on commercial contract in other words after he pays enough he would get a Ford.

[Tomi]

That story is originally from TS by H. Kulta. MTV3 has cut few "corners" as in full interview M. Wilson says that it would be possible for Kimi to drive with Ford next year but on commercial contract in other words after he pays enough he would get a Ford.

ahaa ok.

[N.O.T]

It was easy to get some money from sponsors and citroen when he was portrayed as a future champion and the next big thing, since the majority of rally fans don't have a clue, or they are just that stupid or even desparate from the deprivation of world titles in their country.

Now that this image is wasted and this year he fought to beat or lose from nobodys like villagra and wilson he must come up with a new plan...so its either pay to drive/get less or the unemployment office...maybe even some racing local championship like BTCC or DTM.

Lets hope he stays healthy and finishes the season.

[OldF]

Kimi had wrong setups the last day in Germany.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv3.fi%2Furheilu%2Fralli%2Fuut iset.shtml%2Farkistot%2Fralli%2F2010%2F08%2F117486 3&sl=fi&tl=en

And another quite fresh one.

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv3.fi%2Furheilu%2Fralli%2Fuut iset.shtml%2Farkistot%2Fralli%2F2010%2F08%2F117568 5&sl=fi&tl=en

[Francis44]

I think if he does not show big progress beggining next year than he should just leave, at the moment there are few cars so not a good time to fill the few avaible seats with slower drivers, and this goes to Wilsow aswell, but that's a different case.

[Rallyper]

The thing is that Kimi has to improve his skills regarding pacenotes. He has everything else. The skill to handle his car and the way to make a good setup.

So when he sttles the pacenotes, which is not been doing in a coffeebrake, he´ll be a winner.

A would tip in 2012. In a Ford.

[Boudica]

It was easy to get some money from sponsors and citroen when he was portrayed as a future champion and the next big thing, since the majority of rally fans don't have a clue, or they are just that stupid or even desparate from the deprivation of world titles in their country.

Now that this image is wasted and this year he fought to beat or lose from nobodys like villagra and wilson he must come up with a new plan...so its either pay to drive/get less or the unemployment office...maybe even some racing local championship like BTCC or DTM.

Lets hope he stays healthy and finishes the season.

Or Lemans that would be cool. Or Kimi can just go back to F1, I am going to miss him this weekend around Spa. :(

But it seems like Citroen are quite eager for him to stay. That would be the best. Perhaps it is just the Robertsons spreading out those Ford rumours.

http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/quesnel_expects_top_fives_from_raikkonen/

[Boudica]

I think if he does not show big progress beggining next year than he should just leave, at the moment there are few cars so not a good time to fill the few avaible seats with slower drivers, and this goes to Wilsow aswell, but that's a different case.

Obviously I hope Kimi improves next year. But it is sometimes a bit strange that people are alright with Wilson learning for five years, but they expect Kimi to be on top when his first year isn't even done yet. That is just a general observation I am not referring to you specifically. :)



The thing is that Kimi has to improve his skills regarding pacenotes. He has everything else. The skill to handle his car and the way to make a good setup.

So when he sttles the pacenotes, which is not been doing in a coffeebrake, he´ll be a winner.

A would tip in 2012. In a Ford.

:D

Glad to see someone else with a little bit of faith! I think Kimi can become a good rally driver, with a bit of persistence, determination and application. This year has been a big learning curve especially with the pacenotes, and he will properly need another year or so. I am not saying he will be WDC or anything like that but I think he could be a decent driver. :)

[Francis44]

Obviously I hope Kimi improves next year. But it is sometimes a bit strange that people are alright with Wilson learning for five years, but they expect Kimi to be on top when his first year isn't even done yet. That is just a general observation I am not referring to you specifically. :)

I understand what you are saying, but I refer to Wilsow that way just because aslong as he wants a seat, he will have it, I mean his dad owns M-Sport, there is not much to do if Macolm Wilsow continues to spoil his kid, perhaps if he had to deserve the spot he would be much faster by now.

And about Kimi, you'd expect a Formula 1 champion to be a natural fighter, and so far this year he didn't show any of that, I hope next year he can prove me wrong :) .

[johunn]

And about Kimi, you'd expect a Formula 1 champion to be a natural fighter, and so far this year he didn't show any of that, I hope next year he can prove me wrong :) .

In my opinion he has had to fight his way out of quite a few forests and ditches this year ;) Crashes aside he has also shown good speed on quite a few occasions and even if he is a F1 champ the WRC cars are a whole lot different + you need massive balls to go sideways at 150kph in Finland no matter who you are.

[N.O.T]

we need a graph of cheeseburger consumption after joining the WRC....i think it would be interesting to see.

[MJW]

I was pleased when Kimi came to rallying, however its proving quite a challenge to him, I forget how many times he makes the same mistake with the notes. It will be a shame if Kimi the Crasher gets a DS3 instead of Petter. Surely the novelty factor was enough in year 1, but the way KR treat journalists and fans when still failing to finish rallies makes me think it will be a shame for him to deprive someone who can win from getting a new car.

[N.O.T]

but the way KR treat journalists and fans.

the atrocities he commits on cheeseburgers are even worse....The guy is joke he came into rallying supposedly to achive some things and save his country from humiliation and he doesn't even look like an athlete anymore....

Crashing is ok if you are trying hard and achieve some good times, the thing is Fatboy has all the characteristics of those handless mice we have in our sport where they are both slow and reckless because their limits are way lower than those of the real drivers....Rautenbach, Warmbold, Companq, wilson....and the list goes on.

The good thing is he might attract some new sponsors like mcdonalds and coca cola....

[Rallyper]

the atrocities he commits on cheeseburgers are even worse....The guy is joke he came into rallying supposedly to achive some things and save his country from humiliation and he doesn't even look like an athlete anymore....

Crashing is ok if you are trying hard and achieve some good times, the thing is Fatboy has all the characteristics of those handless mice we have in our sport where they are both slow and reckless because their limits are way lower than those of the real drivers....Rautenbach, Warmbold, Companq, wilson....and the list goes on.

The good thing is he might attract some new sponsors like mcdonalds and coca cola....

So much BS from one person wouldn´t be allowed on this forum. :mad:

[N.O.T]

BS ? what exactly is BS from the above ? the fact that he looks like a person with no physique ? the fact that he crashes a lot ? or the fact that he isn't fast ? please tell me....

[Rallyper]

BS ? what exactly is BS from the above ? the fact that he looks like a person with no physique ? the fact that he crashes a lot ? or the fact that he isn't fast ? please tell me....

There´s many ways to tell everyone you dislikes KR. You choose the cheap ones, without doubt. And you´re not fair to him aswell. I guess jeallous in some strange way...

[bluuford]

No, you dont get it.. he just loves Kimi.. (love is almost the same is hating, but not so dangerous);-)

[blissard]

No, you dont get it.. he just loves Kimi.. (love is almost the same is hating, but not so dangerous);-)

Kinda like his relation with Petter. A couple of years ago it was "Petter is a has been, Petter is slow, just give up, blablabla..", and now it's "GO Petter!!"

I think N.O.T. actually likes Kimi, but it's a strange love/hate relationship, cause he isn't fast enough yet. Give it some time..

[N.O.T]

Kinda like his relation with Petter. A couple of years ago it was "Petter is a has been, Petter is slow, just give up, blablabla..", and now it's "GO Petter!!"

I think N.O.T. actually likes Kimi, but it's a strange love/hate relationship, cause he isn't fast enough yet. Give it some time..

Well peter is a has been....and will never be champ again and will never win a rally when everyone is pushing for victory...that being said

I would like to see him win to leave the sport on a high note since its true he proved me wrong that would be a sideshow this year....so the GO PETER will stay for GB.

[noel157]

"I want to stay in rallying" - yeah, sure Kimi............

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86688

[N.O.T]

i wonder whats more economicaly viable for him to pay a drive in F1 or to pay for one in WRC....??

[noel157]

Any point rallying when his heart is obviously not in it? If Kimi does go it could leave a nice space for Petter.....

[A.F.F.]

Any point rallying when his heart is obviously not in it? If Kimi does go it could leave a nice space for Petter.....

According to rally Japan, that suits for Loeb as well...

[maxter]

Did NOT expect Kimi to do any better in his first season in WRC than what he's done so far, considering he obviously feels the need to call him slow every chance he gets? That would be kinda funny since I thought only rally "noobs" were that clueless, and NOT apparently believes to be better than them (and everyone else). So what's the constant fuss about?

[Rallyper]

Any point rallying when his heart is obviously not in it? If Kimi does go it could leave a nice space for Petter.....

For a finn there´s always a heart for rallying. Even for Kimi.

[skarderud]

http://www.motorsport.no/wip4/kimi-til-renault/d.epl?cat=13749&id=501210

kimi talks with renault in F1.
link in norwegian, but english googletranslation:
Kimi to Renault?


Rumors about what Kimi Räikkönen driving next year, has been trading on them.
Autosport.com write now that the "Iceman" has contacted Renault team for a contract in 2011.

This means that Kimi Räikkönen leaves Citroën team in Rally World Cup to make a comeback in F1.
We are not surprised, because throughout the season have been discussions about Kimi is on the way back to F1 or if he continues in Rally World Cup.


Kimi himself has made it clear that if he returns to F1, it will be in a competitive car. It was in connection with the F1 race at Spa in Belgium that Räikkönen will be contacted Renault and team manager, Eric Bouille confirming that Räikkönen is in discussions for next season.

[Barreis]

Smart man..

[N.O.T]

the media people are quite predictable...whenever kimi is showing he can be average at rallying the news sites quote him saying "i will stay" "i love the sport" and other blah blah...and when things go as planned and he is both slow and useless crashing dummy then all the F1 teams are interested once more....

[vkangas]

After Japan update. The graph is a little misleading because Kimi was much faster on short stages than on real forest stages.

http://i51.tinypic.com/33calag.png

[Ghostwalker]

Here is claims that Kimi is interested in Nascar and that the contracts already
have been signed. Kimi's agent denies though that Kimi already have decided about 2011

http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/motor/rally/article7787219.ab

[Boudica]

http://www.motorsport.no/wip4/kimi-til-renault/d.epl?cat=13749&id=501210

kimi talks with renault in F1.
link in norwegian, but english googletranslation:
Kimi to Renault?


Rumors about what Kimi Räikkönen driving next year, has been trading on them.
Autosport.com write now that the "Iceman" has contacted Renault team for a contract in 2011.

This means that Kimi Räikkönen leaves Citroën team in Rally World Cup to make a comeback in F1.
We are not surprised, because throughout the season have been discussions about Kimi is on the way back to F1 or if he continues in Rally World Cup.


Kimi himself has made it clear that if he returns to F1, it will be in a competitive car. It was in connection with the F1 race at Spa in Belgium that Räikkönen will be contacted Renault and team manager, Eric Bouille confirming that Räikkönen is in discussions for next season.

I think Renault is just using Kimi's name like Toyota last year. If there where really something more to it, then Bouille wouldn't mention it in such a patronising manner. On top of that Renault are the ones who first mentioned Kimi's name way before Spa, and now they are changing their saying that Kimi contacted them.
Neither Kimi or the Robertsons have mentioned anything about Renault, but this is just your normal silly season stuff, the Robertsons might have been in contact with Renault. But it is their job to find as many options as possible for their client, and it gives them more bargaining power.
It is also strange that none of the Finish news outlets knew anything about this. Especially someone like Heikki Kulta who usually knows what is going on with Kimi and F1 in general. However, going by the last cryptic message from Heikki Kulta, Turini and all of the delaying tactics from the Robertsons, I would say something is up. They are waiting for something to happen that is still unknown to the general public, my guess is, it might have something to do with Red Bull or Mercedes. However at this stage I think Kimi will stay put in WRC.

[noel157]

I'm told that in this week's Motoring News in the UK that there is an article about Kimi talking to Prodrive/Mini with Redbull money. Any of our English members see the article?
Plenty of stories going around about the man, all good publicity I suppose.

[rp]

I'm told that in this week's Motoring News in the UK that there is an article about Kimi talking to Prodrive/Mini with Redbull money. Any of our English members see the article?
Plenty of stories going around about the man, all good publicity I suppose.

Might be, because it is rumoured that Red Bull is moving it´s WRC backing from Citroen to Mini. But maybe not yet next year and Kimi needs competitive car like DS3 or Fiesta if he is going to continue his rallying career...

[Boudica]

I'm told that in this week's Motoring News in the UK that there is an article about Kimi talking to Prodrive/Mini with Redbull money. Any of our English members see the article?
Plenty of stories going around about the man, all good publicity I suppose.

Apparently it is perhaps more speculation then rumour. But in the very same article they state that Monster would really like to have Kimi.

[noel157]

Apparently it is perhaps more speculation then rumour. But in the very same article they state that Monster would really like to have Kimi.


Thanks guys. So, to date he's apparently/allegedly/reported to be talking to:

Citroen
Prodrive / Mini
Renault Sport F1
US Nascar team
Block / M-Sport

Anybody else? Canadian Snow mobile racing team?

[Boudica]

Thanks guys. So, to date he's apparently/allegedly/reported to be talking to:

Citroen
Prodrive / Mini
Renault Sport F1
US Nascar team
Block / M-Sport

Anybody else? Canadian Snow mobile racing team?

:laugh:

LeMans?


Kimis manager Steve Robertson confirms to Heikki Kulta at Turun Sanomat today
that they been in contact with Renault and Eric Boullier under Monza weekend.
Just "asking whats goin on at Renault" and looking for different alternatives for Kimi next year.
Robertson says to Kulta the most likely alternative for Kimi is still rally next year.
And he totally denies the rumour about the Nascar alternative.

http://www.ts.fi/f1/uutiset/159954.html

[Tomi]

I dont see any reason for him to move anywhere from citroen if he stays in rally, and why should he.

[Rallyper]

Going anywhere else than staying in rallying at Citroen next year would be a big defeat for Kimi, as he´s still a learner and will benefit next year for this season´s all experiencies.

If he goes that will be a small (note small ;) ) recognize for N.O.T. :p

[AndyRAC]

I get the feeling that the Robertson's would prefer him back in F1. I've seen it quoted that the Red Bull F1 boss has said that publicity for Kimi hasn't been as great as they were expecting. Not really as surprise, is it?

[Tomi]

I get the feeling that the Robertson's would prefer him back in F1. I've seen it quoted that the Red Bull F1 boss has said that publicity for Kimi hasn't been as great as they were expecting. Not really as surprise, is it?

I think the same its Robertson's ideas, but thats his job.
What comes to the publicity, maybe Red Bull boss is right, but on the other hand, it has anyway been much bigger than any other current WRC drivers and by far.

[N.O.T]

http://www.tyoelake.fi/Page.aspx?Section=39397

there is hope....

[Rallyper]

It´s Robertson´s job, yes. But still he need changes of the men he helps. No changes no money for Robertson. So it might be him wishing some more money...

[Tomi]

It´s Robertson´s job, yes. But still he need changes of the men he helps. No changes no money for Robertson. So it might be him wishing some more money...

I dont know about how Kimi has it arranged, but I think normally, the managers cut is a certant presentage of the clients earnings, including all, not only driver contracts, but for instance income from commercial agreements as well.
But for sure both Robertsons and Kimis yearly income will make a huge drop if Kimi stays in rally.

[Boudica]

I dont know about how Kimi has it arranged, but I think normally, the managers cut is a certant presentage of the clients earnings, including all, not only driver contracts, but for instance income from commercial agreements as well.
But for sure both Robertsons and Kimis yearly income will make a huge drop if Kimi stays in rally.

There was an article in F1 tomorrow last year which stated that the Robertsons got a 40% cut when Kimi was at Ferrari and Ferrari insisted that they change the contract in 2008 so that the Robertsons receive less commission. It is difficult to know what they are currently getting. It would properly be in their best interest if Kimi is in F1, but I don't think Kimi himself is that interested. Perhaps if there was a opening at Red Bull.

[Boudica]

I get the feeling that the Robertson's would prefer him back in F1. I've seen it quoted that the Red Bull F1 boss has said that publicity for Kimi hasn't been as great as they were expecting. Not really as surprise, is it?

That wasn't the Red Bull F1 boss, it was Marco the head of the junior driving program. The F1 team boss Horner stated only 4 days ago that he thinks Kimi will stay in rally with Citroen/ Red Bull. Marco is well known for his ranting and sometimes silly comments, and the press asked him about the Renault rumours. I think he was just irritated because the Robertsons are shopping around so much.

[Barreis]

Kimi, go where you're the best - F1..

[Barreis]

What's this?
http://www.scratch-live.fr/2010/Vosgien/ES4.pdf

[noel157]

What's this?
http://www.scratch-live.fr/2010/Vosgien/ES4.pdf

A bit of asphalt practice for Alsace.n Hey, at least he won a stage.

Really old service truck, PH Sport?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs690.snc4/63047_128911370491790_100001187840907_164971_67540 02_n.jpg

[Rallyper]

A bit of asphalt practice for Alsace.n Hey, at least he won a stage.

Really old service truck, PH Sport?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs690.snc4/63047_128911370491790_100001187840907_164971_67540 02_n.jpg

At least he won two stages... Even the SS5. :s mokin:

[N.O.T]

he won every stage in this village event....nice.

[Boudica]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xevbse_rallye-vosgien-2010-kimi-raikkonen_sport

[N.O.T]

i think its nice to see him compete where his place really is....

[A.F.F.]

i think its nice to see him compete where his place really is....

As I understood it was merely a test for Kimi for the forthcoming rally... and I haven't heard him bragging about his win.

So, your ranting and raving is as it has been... a mousefart.

[N.O.T]

i think he did it out of the love for the sport...

[Karukera]

As I understood it was merely a test for Kimi for the forthcoming rally... and I haven't heard him bragging about his win.



True, a good rehearsal on about similar roads to Alsace Rally stages. Reports say people were glad to see him.

But Hey, where have you been ? don't think there are Bordeaux caves in Rue de Hanaböle :)

[MJW]

In autosport printed magazine (dont know if its on the .com version)published in UK today there is a story that Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's driver consultant considers the Kimi / Rallying experiment a failure. All the publicity is negative from the crashes and Kimi's public attitude. David Evans' editorial comment is against this and says that you only need to see the crowd around the Kimi service area to disprove this theory. Kimi linked to Monster Ford with Ken Block in the same story.

[N.O.T]

as far as the driving goes failure is a light word to describe it... after 10 events i see no signs of improvement....

but i think from a publicity point of view it was good since some rally fans brought out the inner girl in them and surrounded kimi in every event asking for autographs and things.

[rallyfiend]

In autosport printed magazine (dont know if its on the .com version)published in UK today there is a story that Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's driver consultant considers the Kimi / Rallying experiment a failure. All the publicity is negative from the crashes and Kimi's public attitude. David Evans' editorial comment is against this and says that you only need to see the crowd around the Kimi service area to disprove this theory. Kimi linked to Monster Ford with Ken Block in the same story.

Gee, what a surprise that the one of the key parties in any possible contract negotiation would make a statement like this....

C'mon. Negotiation 101.

[Boudica]

In autosport printed magazine (dont know if its on the .com version)published in UK today there is a story that Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's driver consultant considers the Kimi / Rallying experiment a failure. All the publicity is negative from the crashes and Kimi's public attitude. David Evans' editorial comment is against this and says that you only need to see the crowd around the Kimi service area to disprove this theory. Kimi linked to Monster Ford with Ken Block in the same story.

Here it is:

http://i.imgur.com/9Uz88.png

If it were someone else other then Marco who said these thing then it could be considered, but Marco is only the head of the junior driver program and he doesn't know much about rally. Colin Clark said on Total rally radio that Red Bull/ Citroen have already offered Kimi a deal for next year.
Then again there is rumours from Austria that something is going on. Baumschlager said he thinks the decision has already been made that Kimi will return to F1, it might just be speculation. But who knows, Kimi is like a one man silly season by himself.

[GallardoGT]

Boudica, you seems to be the ultimate Kimi fan here, can you please tell exactly, explain .. what Kimi should drive next year?

[Boudica]

Boudica, you seems to be the ultimate Kimi fan here, can you please tell exactly, explain .. what Kimi should drive next year?

What Kimi should drive? I dont know, Kimi can be very unpredictable sometimes I wonder if Kimi himself knows. :)

From TS:


Bernie Ecclestone himself revealed to a British journalist friend of mine that he's talked to Kimi Räikkönen about a comeback to F1 circuits. Apparently it's not looking good. Kimi is expensive and Renault can't afford him.

But at the paddock people are on their toes wondering whether the 2007 world champion will get excited about coming back. Every other person I know first says hello and then asks what a Finnish reporter thinks Räikkönen will do.

The usually seemingly dead serious Helmut Marko denies having anything to do with rally but the ex-driver known as Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz's right-hand man has according to the German media hinted that the energy drink giant might withdraw from rally altogether. The reason for this would be the brand's disappointment with rally's low visibility around the world.

That would mean that also Räikkönen's oars would be pulled out of the Citroen boat.

In August I asked Ford's team boss Malcolm Wilson whether he'd be interested in Räikkönen if he wants to continue his rally career. Wilson told me then that absolutely but only if they would get a so called commercial deal made with him.

Since now there are rumours circulating that Räikkönen might drive next year with the new Ford Fiesta S2000 car with backing from the Monster energy drink, it's possible that Wilson has proceeded from words to deeds.

(Translation thanks to dracaena)

[Boudica]

Something is definitely happening in the Red Bull camp. there was an interview with Helmut Marco on MT3.

And he said that they actually offered Kimi a drive in the F1 team for 2010, which means that they were willing to buy out one their contracted drivers. But Kimi declined it and he wanted to go rallying.

However in the same interview he said, sometimes Kimi had best sector times or best stage time but as you mentioned before, it's difficult to read Red Bull upside down. We were in contact with him and he made quite clear that he wants to go to rally at the moment and we accepted that and we made a deal and as you know he did this season in rally-cars. Apparently he said all of this in a very friendly manner, with a smile.

But he also said, now we have to consider how to move on from this point. Perhaps hinting that the association with Kimi and Red Bull will go on.

And he ended the interview with, for the next season all our seats are gone and therefore we can't negotiate anything (meaning F1).


It is some very strange revelations from Marco at this point in the championship. :confused:

[BDunnell]

Something is definitely happening in the Red Bull camp. there was an interview with Helmut Marco on MT3.

And he said that they actually offered Kimi a drive in the F1 team for 2010, which means that they were willing to buy out one their contracted drivers.

And I wonder which one that could have been. I would be willing to bet that his initials wouldn't have been SV.



But he also said, now we have to consider how to move on from this point. Perhaps hinting that the association with Kimi and Red Bull will go on.

Or not. You couldn't blame him if they decided to withdraw from rallying for reasons related to its low profile, as mentioned above.



It is some very strange revelations from Marco at this point in the championship. :confused:

If one was cynical, one might wonder whether Marko is attempting to further destabilise Mark Webber, definitely his least favoured of the two RB F1 drivers, as the championship draws to a close, by mentioning this offer to Raikkonen.

[ShiftingGears]

Something is definitely happening in the Red Bull camp. there was an interview with Helmut Marco on MT3.

And he said that they actually offered Kimi a drive in the F1 team for 2010, which means that they were willing to buy out one their contracted drivers. But Kimi declined it and he wanted to go rallying.

However in the same interview he said, sometimes Kimi had best sector times or best stage time but as you mentioned before, it's difficult to read Red Bull upside down. We were in contact with him and he made quite clear that he wants to go to rally at the moment and we accepted that and we made a deal and as you know he did this season in rally-cars. Apparently he said all of this in a very friendly manner, with a smile.

But he also said, now we have to consider how to move on from this point. Perhaps hinting that the association with Kimi and Red Bull will go on.

And he ended the interview with, for the next season all our seats are gone and therefore we can't negotiate anything (meaning F1).


It is some very strange revelations from Marco at this point in the championship. :confused:

I guess he still hasn't learned to keep his mouth shut.

[Boudica]

And I wonder which one that could have been. I would be willing to bet that his initials wouldn't have been SV.



Or not. You couldn't blame him if they decided to withdraw from rallying for reasons related to its low profile, as mentioned above.



If one was cynical, one might wonder whether Marko is attempting to further destabilise Mark Webber, definitely his least favoured of the two RB F1 drivers, as the championship draws to a close, by mentioning this offer to Raikkonen.

Yes all true, but I have been wondering about these Red Bull rumours. It is only coming up in the Finnish news. Would Red Bull really leave WRC altogether, are there anymore news about this?

[N.O.T]

i think the matter of kimis future shows exactly why you need a good manager...and i certainly give them that. They keep his name in center spot so the public doesn't lose interest, spreading lies, rumors, truths and everything they can to keep him alive in the motorsport business.

there is a saying " the only bad publicity, is no publicity"

If they manage to save such a useless and totally wasted driver from unemployment i will have huge respect for his manager, i might even send him an e-mail to offer him to manage my invention "Ashtray for motorbikes"

[Boudica]

Oliver Quesnell: "I know Kimi wants to stay in WRC, deep down he wants to stay but F1 wants him back. I feel sorry if he leaves because it´s getting better and better every year. In two years time he might win a single rally"

Kimi replies to Marco's statements:
Kimi: " There are different people speaking different things. I only had one year contract with them. Those people there (RB) I personally have been speakin with knew it´s going to be tough and difficult and crashes were expected. It´s not surprising, there´s always lots of commentating, I´m not worried about it."
(Translation thanks to Sammyosammy)

[vkangas]

Here's after France update. A really bad rally for Kimi.

Also a strange thing that he was not allowed or motivated to continue in superrally. Must be that Kimi is either going F1 or retiring after this season...


http://i54.tinypic.com/5ob7t1.png

[Mintexmemory]

From WRC web site:
Due to his road position, the Finn struggled with all the mud on the road left by previous cars cutting the corners, and he felt that this would be a major problem on the final leg today - particularly with all the big cuts anticipated on the Bitche Camp military stage.
“I don't think we’re going to learn much more under these conditions, so the sensible decision is to save the car for the Catalunya Rally, which I'm really looking forward to,” said Raikkonen.
“I don’t want to risk going off again. In some places, you could hardly see the asphalt here with all the mud and gravel on the road. The car did not sustain any damage during either of our two incidents yesterday, but obviously when you are running so far down the order you don’t have exactly the same motivation and that makes things quite difficult. We still learned a lot though and it has been really useful to have had this experience.”

Kimi can't learn anything from extra stage miles with less than ideal conditions, make of that what you will. IMHO the sooner he takes up powerboat racing (providing the waves aren't too big) the better. :rolleyes:

[dimviii]

Kimi can't learn anything from extra stage miles with less than ideal conditions, make of that what you will.

Does he know that next year he is not going to have these conditions in any rally? :rolleyes:
Ideal conditions and rallies doesn t much
Sometimes NOT has a point about scared kids,sick dogs etc.

[MJW]

Does he know that next year he is not going to have these conditions in any rally? :rolleyes:
Ideal conditions and rallies doesn t much
Sometimes NOT has a point about scared kids,sick dogs etc.
Saturday's mistakes leading to both off's proved to me that Kimi still has a massive amount to learn about our sport. He drove into those mistakes like an F1 driver, I also thought it poignant that he didn't super rally, - IF he is wrc next year I don't think it will be in a Citroen, otherwise Citroen would have put him out in those conditions to learn, maybe Citroen want to save the car. My guess is its a Monster Ford or Renault F1, even retirement with the occasional rally with no pressure when it suits him, I'm sure TMR will find a car for Arctic, Sweden, Finland etc or whatever suits.

[Rallyper]

I think Kimi´s reasons was quite acceptable, knowing that the same car should be used in Spain in a few weeks.

You can interpret his decisions after your own mood (depending if you want Kimi to F1 or WRC next year) but for me it stands clear he will continue in WRC next year.

It´s not hard to classify you guys wanting him anywhere else but in motorsport, but you have other forums for harassing people, but not this forum.

[Mintexmemory]

I think Kimi´s reasons was quite acceptable, knowing that the same car should be used in Spain in a few weeks.

You can interpret his decisions after your own mood (depending if you want Kimi to F1 or WRC next year) but for me it stands clear he will continue in WRC next year.

It´s not hard to classify you guys wanting him anywhere else but in motorsport, but you have other forums for harassing people, but not this forum.

I have heard some ridiculous excuses in my long life but 'saving the car' for a rally in 3 weeks time is total taurus excretia. The damn thing will be stripped down and rebuilt at Citroen HQ anyway!!
To decide that the situation was not sufficiently motivating to turn up on Sunday was just another slap in the face of rally fans in general and especially those mis-guided enough to have turned up hoping to cheer him on. Wake up and smell the coffee - don't like the game so I'm picking up my ball and going home typifies KRs entire approach. This is not harrassing people, its expressing opinion and explaining positions. Isn't that the point of a forum, rather that creating shrines to idols with feet of clay?

[dimviii]

I have heard some ridiculous excuses in my long life but 'saving the car' for a rally in 3 weeks time is total taurus excretia. The damn thing will be stripped down and rebuilt at Citroen HQ anyway!!
To decide that the situation was not sufficiently motivating to turn up on Sunday was just another slap in the face of rally fans in general and especially those mis-guided enough to have turned up hoping to cheer him on. Wake up and smell the coffee - don't like the game so I'm picking up my ball and going home typifies KRs entire approach. This is not harrassing people, its expressing opinion and explaining positions. Isn't that the point of a forum, rather that creating shrines to idols with feet of clay?

Thats right!
Except Kimmi another 20 wrc/swrc/jwrc drivers would use their car in next event.Some of them with much lower budget,and repair solutions in case of an off the road.
I really dont have any problem with Kimmis participation at all,i can say instead that i want to see him and in 2011.But this excuse simple doesn t exist.

[Rallyper]

Thats right!
Except Kimmi another 20 wrc/swrc/jwrc drivers would use their car in next event.Some of them with much lower budget,and repair solutions in case of an off the road.
I really dont have any problem with Kimmis participation at all,i can say instead that i want to see him and in 2011.But this excuse simple doesn t exist.

How do you know? How can you guys be so sure what´s behind a decision that´s not is only Kimís. There are more people around in Citroen Junior team as well as in other teams, as you sure know.

Maybe Citroen doesnt have more bodyshells of C4 if needed?