Kimi starts his rally career

[MJW]

Maybe Citroen doesnt have more bodyshells of C4 if needed?
Quite true, they had Novikov last year and Kimi this year

[dimviii]

Quite true, they had Novikov last year and Kimi this year
:laugh:

good one!

[Rallyper]

:laugh:

good one!

Yeah! :dozey:

[Boudica]

Räikkönen puts a stop to Renault's milking

Turun Sanomat 6.10 2010 00:09:17

Kimi Räikkönen who is known for his silence got finally fed up when Renault continues week after week speculating through the media about the Finnish star's possible switch back to F1 in their team.

– I am very disappointed in the way they have used my name in order to promote their own marketing. I have not at any stage considered seriously driving for Renault and I can assure you that I'm 100% sure that I will not drive in Renault next year, Räikkönen declares in his straightforward way.

– My managers were weeks ago once in contact with Renault's team manager. That's all, Räikkönen said.

Even though they haven't had any negotiations, Renault's camp has constantly been feeding the F1-media with stories about how Räikkönen is interested in their team. According to team manager Eric Bouillier the only thing slowing down the negotiations has been the uncertainity of the Finnish driver's motivation.

Although the big audience doesn't necessarily notice it, it isn't any campaign for open negotiations, it's clearly a team- and finance-policy.

Renault is a racing team lead by tycoon Gerard Lopez. For Lopez F1 is business and therefore it looks like they are riding on WDC Räikkönen's name for as long as possible until filling the other seat.

Räikkönen and his managers are used to not speaking in public about any negotiations before the contracts are sealed. Therefore the policy Renault has taken to chow down one short contact for several weeks has been both disturbing and shocking to them.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

[Rallyper]

Well,....As I´ve been saying. No F1.

WRC next year is the most possible way to go for Kimi. ;)

[Fide]

More ditches.... crashes..... and loose behavior ....

[Rallyper]

More ditches.... crashes..... and loose behavior ....

Maybe so, but it takes some years to become a champion. Ask any of the recent ones. :cool:

[Barreis]

Recent one's? There're only two: Seb.Loeb and P.Solberg..

[GigiGalliNo1]

Maybe so, but it takes some years to become a champion. Ask any of the recent ones. :cool:

But don't bother asking Loeb :D

[N.O.T]

some useful information for kimi

http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/subjects/work_and_pensions/unemployment_and_unemployment_security/index.html

[Mihai]

Say hello to the next Stephane Sarrazin. He was part of SWRT for 2 years. I don't think Kimi will stay in the WRC much longer than Sarrazin.

[A.F.F.]

[B]
HEIKKI KULTA

Herää jo, herää jo.....

[Iskald]

Maybe so, but it takes some years to become a champion. Ask any of the recent ones. :cool:

Kimi will never be a rally champion, and I don`t think anyone will be able to change his personality (which is peculiar and not very rallystyle social, to say the least!). Anyway I think he has brought something positive into rallying, because he has actually shown that it isn`t enough to be a F1-champion to become a good rally driver. Rallying is very difficult, and a worldclass racing driver has this season demonstrated that quite clearly.

[Tomi]

Kimi for sure will never be a Rally Champion, what comes to his future driving, as long as someone is willing to pay for a competitive car why not continiue, but I think he is that much proud professional that he wont pay his own driving.

[Rallyper]

Kimi will never be a rally champion, and I don`t think anyone will be able to change his personality (which is peculiar and not very rallystyle social, to say the least!). Anyway I think he has brought something positive into rallying, because he has actually shown that it isn`t enough to be a F1-champion to become a good rally driver. Rallying is very difficult, and a worldclass racing driver has this season demonstrated that quite clearly.

At least you must admit he´s a good rallydriver. If not he wouldn´t have reached the results he had in the rallies he managed to finish. And stage times, don´t forget.

[Fide]

At least you must admit he´s a good rallydriver. If not he wouldn´t have reached the results he had in the rallies he managed to finish. And stage times, don´t forget.

Could be.... and also may be he likes the landscape, soil and grass more than cows..... http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/images/icons/yawn.gif and this is the reason he likes the off road.....

[Boudica]

From Autosport:

http://i.imgur.com/UKyWc.png

[Daniel]

From Autosport:

http://i.imgur.com/UKyWc.png
Gawd Wilson is a suck up.

[N.O.T]

None is going to invest on a dead horse...Kimi had his chance this year to prove he can be at least mediocre, he failed miserably and now the sponsors see that his name is not that marketable any more.

For monster i think Block is enough for them...he does his drift stuff and sell fake stories to the americans about his legendary drives in the WRC and they are happy.

Kimis chances are either to pay to some extend for his drive in the WRC or go to second class championships and make a profit...like hakkinen, culthard and some others..

[rp]

[quote="N.O.T"]None is going to invest on a dead horse...Kimi had his chance this year to prove he can be at least mediocre, he failed miserably and now the sponsors see that his name is not that marketable any more.

QUOTE]

Come on! First year and he was able to beat some World Rally Car drivers. Rallying is a totally different world from racing and only the unwise media and someone like N.O.T makes this kind of expectations and keep on blaming him all the time.

Could you imagine that Loeb or Ogier would beat Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Webber in the F1 during his first (or second) year in the single-seater. No way and would take time to achieve finish line or some top ten results...

[Mintexmemory]

QUOTE]

Could you imagine that Loeb or Ogier would beat Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Webber in the F1 during his first (or second) year in the single-seater. No way and would take time to achieve finish line or some top ten results...

Let's take your analogy to a logical conclusion. If a F1 race only had 10 cars in a race, 4 of them were Red Bulls, 2 were McLarens and 4 were Torro Rossos how well would Loeb or Ogier do in a Red Bull against Petrov or Bruno Senna in a TR. Fact is Wilson, Villagra and Henning (even in a Fiesta) have been regularly beating KR when his machinery is far superior to theirs. Anyone with sense can see that KR is not a serious Podium contender in WRC but to not even challenge the non-works drivers on a consistent basis indicates that if he wanted to rally he should have spent a few years working his way up, and earned respect along the way.

[N.O.T]

[/quote] Could you imagine that Loeb or Ogier would beat Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Webber in the F1 during his first (or second) year in the single-seater. No way and would take time to achieve finish line or some top ten results... [/quote]

that is the difference between rallying and F1....

those F1 kids driven by the gay media exposure and the hordes of 12 year old girls in a 30-40 year old mans bodies think they are doing something special and can do anything else with ease that is why when they stay out of their sport they try to do other things like DTM ETCC Rallying ects....little big headed clowns with no respect for anything else apart from their egos...

[Rallyper]

Could you imagine that Loeb or Ogier would beat Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Webber in the F1 during his first (or second) year in the single-seater. No way and would take time to achieve finish line or some top ten results... [/quote]

that is the difference between rallying and F1....

those F1 kids driven by the gay media exposure and the hordes of 12 year old girls in a 30-40 year old mans bodies think they are doing something special and can do anything else with ease that is why when they stay out of their sport they try to do other things like DTM ETCC Rallying ects....little big headed clowns with no respect for anything else apart from their egos...[/quote]

Here we go again... :dozey:

[A.F.F.]

little big headed clowns with no respect for anything else apart from their egos...

A view in your mirror perhaps?

[Woodeye]

those F1 kids driven by the gay media exposure and the hordes of 12 year old girls in a 30-40 year old mans bodies think they are doing something special and can do anything else with ease that is why when they stay out of their sport they try to do other things like DTM ETCC Rallying ects....little big headed clowns with no respect for anything else apart from their egos...

Please try to get some help to your mental issues but at the same time please don't share your brain farts here.

[MJW]

Oh dear, it had already been said that RedBull Citroen and Kimi were not sticking together for 2011 and that maybe Malcolm will find him a car with Monster backing. Personally for MSport I think Chris Atkinson would be a much better option in a Monster Ford. Kimi should go back to partying om his boat, and rally for fun. I'm sure TMR could find a car for Arctic, some smaller rallies and NORF 2011. He needs a year of enjoying his rallying. OK he is a superbly talented race driver, but maybe in hindsight putting him in a Citroen WRC car was not the right thing, especially in a full programme. Racers will now appreciate that rallying is a different skill set. I liked what Yvan Mueller said in rally france when asked if his racing experience helped - his reply rallying and racing are like comparing rugby and football, in that they both use a ball on a grass pitch and thats where the similarities end. Rallying is "much more"

[Tomi]

Oh dear, it had already been said that RedBull Citroen and Kimi were not sticking together for 2011 and that maybe Malcolm will find him a car with Monster backing. Personally for MSport I think Chris Atkinson would be a much better option in a Monster Ford.

Why is Atkinson not driving then?

Why is Atkinson not driving then?

Looks like Atkinson either hasn't got any money or won't spend his own money for rallying as privateer, or his dad said that's it no more !

Also nobody will give him a car for free. Too much a liability as far as crashing is concerned. The guy is a real car-breaker.

[Tomi]

Looks like Atkinson either hasn't got any money or won't spend his own money for rallying as privateer, or his dad said that's it no more !

Also nobody will give him a car for free. Too much a liability as far as crashing is concerned. The guy is a real car-breaker.

Yes maybe, but I dont think that Kimis doings has anything to do with if Atkinson can find sponsors or not.

[noel157]

Sad in some ways that Kimi can't get it together but to be honest the Red Bull money could go to a better cause and I hope it does. The man has the personality of a wet fish. In nearly every interview or chat at stage end he's as miserable and dour as a mourner at a funeral which I suppose might be appropriate.
Personally I don't think the WRC needs him. Maybe a bit harsh and perhaps I should wait another season to judge the man.

[MJW]

Why is Atkinson not driving then?
Atkinson was close to a Monster deal in 2010, in the end they (Monster) decided to dip a toe in the water with Ken Block, and run a single car. Atko could be part of an expanded Monster team in 2011.

[Tomi]

Atkinson was close to a Monster deal in 2010, in the end they (Monster) decided to dip a toe in the water with Ken Block, and run a single car. Atko could be part of an expanded Monster team in 2011.

Sure if he find the money needed, sponsoring some driver is a personal thing, not so that for instance someone stop sponsoring kimi, the money automaticly goes to some other rally driver.

[MJW]

Sure if he find the money needed, sponsoring some driver is a personal thing, not so that for instance someone stop sponsoring kimi, the money automaticly goes to some other rally driver.
No I dont mean that - its up to Monster who they sponsor, its just that Atkinson was rumoured to be close to a Monster sponsorship deal in 2010 but that didnt happen and MAY happen in 2011. Since the as yet unconfirmed story about RedBull and Kimi parting Malcolm and Christian Lorioux have both said that if Monster wanted to fund a drive for Kimi in a Fiesta RS they would make a car available. My personal opinion is that Kimi would be better off in 2011 enjoying his rallying in a mixed programme of say, Arctic, NORF, some Italian championship rounds etc in a car provided by Tommi Makinen Racing.

[Tomi]

My personal opinion is that Kimi would be better off in 2011 enjoying his rallying in a mixed programme of say, Arctic, NORF, some Italian championship rounds etc in a car provided by Tommi Makinen Racing.

Maybe so, it wont take long to find out what he think is best option for him self, i belive it depends on the sponsor what he will drive and where.

[COD]

With these results, his own pocket might be the only sponsor willing to pay for his driving. So it depends on how deep he want's to put it there...

[Barreis]

15 years ago there was top Ford escort gp.A for 300 000DEM (German valute) and it's about 150 000 euros now and driver was in the business.. Now you need about 3 or 4 times more for Mini wrc and know nothing.. No money, no business.. That's why Atkinson is not in WRC but he can drive IRC.. At least.. Kimi, go to F1 and be a champ!

[Tomi]

With these results, his own pocket might be the only sponsor willing to pay for his driving. So it depends on how deep he want's to put it there...

agree, but you never know, stranger things has happen

[Barreis]

Kimi to pay?! NO WAY! He has reputation and can be paid millions in F1.. That's why WRC is in big ****.. Who can be paid millions?! YOU MUST PAY MILLIONS ONLY TO DRIVE and can not win..

[vkangas]

I have to say I'm dissapointed. Kimi's performance in this rally was something that I really wanted to see.

It's obvious that Kimi is the kind of person who wants everything right now and not tomorrow. In F1 this was realistic because Kimi was almost all the time atleast one of the fastest drivers. I'd like to see Kimi either go to F1 or to make a long term plan and take rally seriously. Kimi is only about 30 years old and in rally it is nothing if your motivation is high.

Almost all Kimi's mistakes have happened in similar, pretty low speed corners where listening and driving with notes is the most important thing. I've heard finnish rally drivers saying that in their early years they have been making notes for tens of thousands of kilometers just to get them right. I can't recall where it was but I remember one article where one finnish rally driver said that for years he made notes for every trip to the grocery store. :) Kimi should drive all the spare time he has in a cheaper car and do all the village rally's he can get into. Today's WRC (or F1...) with all the test limitations etc. is not a place to grow as a driver - it has to be done elsewhere.

[Barreis]

Kimi should change codriver.. This guy won only once with T.Makinen and not on stages (when Loeb was penalised) - not winning mentality..

[GallardoGT]

Kimi should change codriver.. This guy won only once with T.Makinen and not on stages (when Loeb was penalised) - not winning mentality..

Good point although I want to be careful with that. At least it shows again how complicated and challenging rally is.

[Pinto]

Kimi should change codriver.. This guy won only once with T.Makinen and not on stages (when Loeb was penalised) - not winning mentality..

its allways the easy option to blame the nav,how many good navs have got shafted over this action of sack the nav it must be his fault.
i belive no nav could sort this lad his whole attitude to rally and people around rallying has to change if he has any hope into the future

[Tomi]

Almost all Kimi's mistakes have happened in similar, pretty low speed corners where listening and driving with notes is the most important thing.

"Kiiki" Kivimäki said somewhere that they should not have choosed the number note system, but the old school system, I think he is right.
Else I think Kimi has done about how expected, rally just is not easy sport.

[bowler]

Kimi should change codriver.. This guy won only once with T.Makinen and not on stages (when Loeb was penalised) - not winning mentality..

Very harsh criticism of Kaj.

What do you know of him?

[6789]

Its the guy holding the steering wheel...

[Barreis]

When something is wrong, change is needed.. Ask any sport(wo)man, businessman, etc.

[COD]

Instead of chaning co-driver, Kimi should spend more time practicing the art of making pace-notes. Kaj can't make the notes for Kimi. He can give some advice for sure, but his most important job is to deliver them accurately and that he can do.

[Barreis]

Marti did it pretty good, Grist also, etc. The best thing for him is to go back to F1.. This's not good for him..

[N.O.T]

he should start giving the experts some phone calls...

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/081101150015EH?OpenDocument

[6789]

he should start giving the experts some phone calls...

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/081101150015EH?OpenDocument

lol

[Rallyper]

he should start giving the experts some phone calls...

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/081101150015EH?OpenDocument

Old joke from unmatured youngster...

[Mintexmemory]

http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsport/story/31369.html

An example to Mr Raikkonen on the correct way to approach rallying - a little humility and respect for the culture of the sport. As they say in the UK at row boat hiring stations, 'Come in No 8, your time is up'. I expect Red Bull will put a decent RALLY driver in the car for the WRGB. So much for 'preserving the car' b/s at Rally France :rolleyes:

[N.O.T]

Old joke from unmatured youngster...

there is an advantage though...in 17 years time when kimi will become champion in the WRC you can come back and say to my face...told you so !!!


About Kubica i like his approach far better and shows that he wants to learn the art of rallying...of course he has a job. Kimi on the other hand was unemployed and he was searching more about some noise around his name rather than something serious...hope he has his cv ready for the unemployment office.

[pino]

So much hatred in this thread...

:down:

[Tomi]

Kimi on the other hand was unemployed and he was searching more about some noise around his name rather than something serious...hope he has his cv ready for the unemployment office.

The good thing is that he propably was the best paid rally driver this season, and with the money from before, it can take awhile before he has to go to the unemployment office.

[N.O.T]

yes that could be true...

some times though the feeling that you are totally useless at what you do is bigger than the millions you earn, many finish rally drivers of today and past decade have this, check your connections and you will find out. of course the good phycological support they have from fans, managers and yes men help....but the feeling remains, some could not even stand the ridicule and retired prematurely, and now they want to return...

[tmx]

So much hatred in this thread...

:down: I can't read them because they're blocked, unfortunately some people kept quoting them.

[havk]

still, it's better to feel useless with millions on account than work for a couple euros per hour...

[N.O.T]

sure.... but its event better to feel you are actually doing somethig right and have a big account also...

[Barreis]

Sick..
http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/32484.html

[N.O.T]

the F1 kids showed the door to the crying doggy that wanted to return and was on his knees for every team... now he has to do the same in the rally teams which unfortunatelly are more compasionate.

[Rallyper]

the F1 kids showed the door to the crying doggy that wanted to return and was on his knees for every team... now he has to do the same in the rally teams which unfortunatelly are more compasionate.

Pathetic comment, when everyone knew he wasn´t heading back to F1. Just a dream from F1-fans who missed him so much in F1. And Renault trying to make their brand more interesting to sponsors. :D :D

We on this forum except for N.O.T and Barreis has understood that since Kimi changed way from F1 to WRC. :dozey: :dozey:

He´s not as stupid as fellow MS who believed he could do miracles in F1 after 7 years.

So please let us skip those stupid comments. :mad:

[Barreis]

Rallyper, don't mention my name..

[Rallyper]

Rallyper, don't mention my name..

Your name is mentioned because of your comment above.

[julkki]

Rallyper, don't mention my name..

Barreis and N.O.T., first of all you should stop posting those black-and-white comments. You think you are some kind of populists? Start to put some clear and reasonable arguments on your comments and someone might take you seriously.Your making only fool of yourselves.

N.O.T. what's yout problem with Kimi's driving? Do you really think that the money of Kimi's driving is out of somebody else's driving? There ain't no driver in rallying with same kind of publicity like Kimi even that he would be better rally-driver. Reb Bull is financing Kimi only because of his puclicity of 2007 F1 championship win and 18 F1 Gp wins and that's a quite of a success. Try to understand please that's only for business. And that's how rallying and other motorsport is run. If you can't live with it, go to cry in your own backyard, not in this forum.

[bretddog]

I don't know if it's the lack of "feedback" which makes one stay on the same hopeless path forever. I can honestly say that about every other week I start to type the first line of a really nasty response.. But then I stop and think; why the heck am I spending time on this loss of a human? As much as I would like to post an unfiltered point of view, it is just not worth the time and effort.

NOT you had a few golden weeks this summer where your spirit was really picking up, after returning from your "vacation", but only to suddenly fall back in old form again. Whatever nice that happened to you at this time I think you should repeat it. It was good for you.

The odd thing is that NOT's brain in many ways is quite clever, and it's a bit of a mystery how it's not able to realize how other people truly think about the posts it produces.

More important is the fact that this thread in particular is just blocked of any sensible discussions, as any view that has signs of positivism or balanced analysis is simply ridiculed and bashed of this "world governor of rally opinions". People just don't bother to respond to a thread where they have to fight with such brainless negative and offending replies, where anything they may post will be attacked by just puke and farts with no substance.

To be serious about Kimi;
I'm sure he got his feet firmly planted on the ground and is not suffering from any delusions about what he is doing. He had less than a handful of rallies when starting this season, so you can compare that to anyone, and his results will not in any way be sub-par. Any reasonable person would understand it takes at least 3 years for him to have any chance to be near the podium. What he's doing is indeed quite brave. He's putting all his bets in one pot of something he wants to try, with no possibility to know if he will be able to succeed. Anyone can make a safe bet where they know the expectancy is good. But to make a bet where you have no sensible indicators, and can easily miss your goal, but still you do it on pure personal desire, guts and your own belief of what you may be capable of, and don't give a sh.. about what anyone else in the world thinks about what you are doing, that's quite respectful in my eyes, whatever the outcome. If anything should be understood about Kimi, it is that he doesn't care a second about what anybody believe or say about him.

While most will count his success in life by the results they can view on Wikipedia, he's in reality just a normal person who wants to have fun. And it's quite clear that he now favors the less political nature of the WRC, with more focus on the driver skill/competition and not a lot of crap in between.

[Rallyper]

I don't know if it's the lack of "feedback" which makes one stay on the same hopeless path forever. I can honestly say that about every other week I start to type the first line of a really nasty response.. But then I stop and think; why the heck am I spending time on this loss of a human? As much as I would like to post an unfiltered point of view, it is just not worth the time and effort.

NOT you had a few golden weeks this summer where your spirit was really picking up, after returning from your "vacation", but only to suddenly fall back in old form again. Whatever nice that happened to you at this time I think you should repeat it. It was good for you.

The odd thing is that NOT's brain in many ways is quite clever, and it's a bit of a mystery how it's not able to realize how other people truly think about the posts it produces.

More important is the fact that this thread in particular is just blocked of any sensible discussions, as any view that has signs of positivism or balanced analysis is simply ridiculed and bashed of this "world governor of rally opinions". People just don't bother to respond to a thread where they have to fight with such brainless negative and offending replies, where anything they may post will be attacked by just puke and farts with no substance.

To be serious about Kimi;
I'm sure he got his feet firmly planted on the ground and is not suffering from any delusions about what he is doing. He had less than a handful of rallies when starting this season, so you can compare that to anyone, and his results will not in any way be sub-par. Any reasonable person would understand it takes at least 3 years for him to have any chance to be near the podium. What he's doing is indeed quite brave. He's putting all his bets in one pot of something he wants to try, with no possibility to know if he will be able to succeed. Anyone can make a safe bet where they know the expectancy is good. But to make a bet where you have no sensible indicators, and can easily miss your goal, but still you do it on pure personal desire, guts and your own belief of what you may be capable of, and don't give a sh.. about what anyone else in the world thinks about what you are doing, that's quite respectful in my eyes, whatever the outcome. If anything should be understood about Kimi, it is that he doesn't care a second about what anybody believe or say about him.

While most will count his success in life by the results they can view on Wikipedia, he's in reality just a normal person who wants to have fun. And it's quite clear that he now favors the less political nature of the WRC, with more focus on the driver skill/competition and not a lot of crap in between.

Spot on! :up:

[Barreis]

Barreis and N.O.T., first of all you should stop posting those black-and-white comments. You think you are some kind of populists? Start to put some clear and reasonable arguments on your comments and someone might take you seriously.Your making only fool of yourselves.

N.O.T. what's yout problem with Kimi's driving? Do you really think that the money of Kimi's driving is out of somebody else's driving? There ain't no driver in rallying with same kind of publicity like Kimi even that he would be better rally-driver. Reb Bull is financing Kimi only because of his puclicity of 2007 F1 championship win and 18 F1 Gp wins and that's a quite of a success. Try to understand please that's only for business. And that's how rallying and other motorsport is run. If you can't live with it, go to cry in your own backyard, not in this forum.
How can I be a fool when you're a Finn?! :D

[ShiftingGears]

the F1 kids showed the door to the crying doggy that wanted to return and was on his knees for every team... now he has to do the same in the rally teams which unfortunatelly are more compasionate.

That is a pathetic comment. Grow up and get your facts straight.

[Boudica]

From Autosport:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3638/57406255.jpg

[noel157]

Interesting. Let's hope it works out for Petter.

[TyPat107]

While I hope that works out for Petter, I would be worried he wouldn't be allowed to actually fight Loeb if the opportunity came about. And what would be worse, no Petter or a Petter who isn't allowed to win?

[N.O.T]

While I hope that works out for Petter, I would be worried he wouldn't be allowed to actually fight Loeb if the opportunity came about. And what would be worse, no Petter or a Petter who isn't allowed to win?

he had many opportunities this year...Solberg cannot touch Loeb...different class.

[Julle69]

Here is Kimi's summary of this season:

http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Article/Kimis-end-of-year-report-021242928784888?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A8

[Motorsportfun]

From Autosport:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3638/57406255.jpg

Don't think Solberg will accept a seat in the Citroen Junior Team. His sponsor will be in conflict with the team...

(CJT) TOTAL / (PSWRT) SHELL
(CJT) RED BULL / (PSWRT) MAD CROC
(CJT) SABELT / (PSWRT) OMP

Petter could lose much sponsors in this case...

[MJW]

Don't think Solberg will accept a seat in the Citroen Junior Team. His sponsor will be in conflict with the team...

(CJT) TOTAL / (PSWRT) SHELL
(CJT) RED BULL / (PSWRT) MAD CROC
(CJT) SABELT / (PSWRT) OMP

Petter could lose much sponsors in this case...
First you assume that RedBull and Citroen continue, secondly Petter' ambassador role with Shell was a two year deal, 09 & 10. I would be shocked if Mad Croc is with Petter in 2011, and finally Kimi has run in Alpinestars racewear throughout 2010 so I wouldnt think Petter wearing OMP stuff wouldnt be a problem.

[alleskids]

Petter spoke of only 1 sponsor so far for 2011. Was he mentenig the Rouse guy from America?

[Barreis]

After all he has that cars (xsara WRC and C4 WRC) and can sell them..

[ProRally]

After all he has that cars (xsara WRC and C4 WRC) and can sell them..

From what I understand from him in Spain and GB, all cars sold....

[MJW]

From what I understand from him in Spain and GB, all cars sold....

Keeping one Xsara.

[Barreis]

To who? Xsara is for Solberg's motorshow I guess..

[Boudica]

Raikkonen and Meeke could be team players

Former Formula One World champion Kimi Raikkonen is being linked to a role alongside Ulsterman Kris Meeke in the new BMW Mini rally team.

Despite stories suggesting a return to F1 next season, Raikkonen has insisted he wants to continue in rallying and now is poised to test the new Prodrive-developed Mini Countryman which will make its World championship bow in the Spring of next year.

Meeke, the 2009 Intercontinental Challenge champion, is the first driver signed by the team but is expected to be joined shortly by Dani Sordo, World champion Sebastien Loeb’s No.2 at Citroen. But Mini, it seems, are interested in Raikkonen as well. Prodrive managing director Richard Taylor said: “Kimi has brought a lot of profile into the WRC so of course he would be of interest to any manufacturer.”

Apart from Raikkonen’s profile there are other reasons for Mini’s interest.

He would come with personal sponsorship from Red Bull — as does Meeke — and the four-wheel-drive Mini Countryman road cars are built in Austria, home of the energy drink company’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz.

The Mini is also the company’s promotional vehicle of choice. Red Bull are committed to one further year of sponsorship with Citroen but a switch to Mini would coincide with the team’s full assault on the World championship in 2012.

Meeke, meanwhile, has said he would be happy to see Spaniard Sordo join the team.

Currently continuing the Mini development programme in Sardinia, he said: “Apart from the fact we have been friends since out Junior World championship days and have worked together regularly on Citroen’s test days, Dani has good knowledge of the new Citroen DS3 and would bring that expertise with him.

“There are not many guys around with his experience of the new breed of cars which will appear in the World championship next season. He would be a good addition to the team.”

Former World champion Marcus Gronholm had been expected to join the team. But the Finn has changed his mind, saying he “doesn’t want to do a Michael Schumacher.”

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/raikkonen-and-meeke-could-be-team-players-15013050.html

Autosport magazine has a similar story:

Sordo waiting on 2011 offer from Ford

Sordo is expected to test the Mini for the first time before the end of the month. Another driver linked to a test in the Countryman WRC is former Formula 1 world champion and Citroen driver Kimi Raikkonen.

A Mini drive could offer the Finn less pressure, with a bigger focus on testing and development away from the rallies. A positive would be the potential tie-in with his sponsor Red Bull and the expected 2012 deal between the drinks firm and Mini.
http://i.imgur.com/oBow6.png

Raikkonen was in the States - interested in Nascar

Kimi Raikkonen followed last weekend a race in Nascar in the United States.

Nascar-season ended on Sunday on Homestad's oval-track in Florida. The last race of the season was also followed by Räikkönen who was there.

They have been rumouring in rally-circles for some time that Raikkonen could race some Nascar-races in addition to rally next season.

IS Sports reached Riku Kuvaja on Tuesday morning and he said that the trip to America had nothing to do with Räikkönen's plans for next year.

- It was just a holiday trip. We only watched the race since we happened to be there, Kuvaja said.

In Florida Raikkonen was seen in the company of Nascar-series star designer Eric Warren among others.

They should rather have asked about Monster Ford, then Nascar. :p :

[N.O.T]

rumours rumours rumours just to keep the dying dog alive for a few more months....

its simple kimi will drive wherever his sponsors want....nobody gives a dime what he wants...he was over the hill long long time ago.

[Rallyper]

Anything new about where we find Kimi next year? :confused:

Hopefully in WRC....

[Gard]

It will probably be as the rumours say. He'll team up with Petter in a second Citroen team

[Mintexmemory]

It will probably be as the rumours say. He'll team up with Petter in a second Citroen team
:o hplease: well as it looks like no one's gonna pay him to drive (Prodrive Mini clearly want to be competitive and not just get doubtful publicity) let's wait to see how committed he is to the idea of spending his own cash to compete. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if in February 2011 we don't have a 'Kimi ends his rallying career' thread

[N.O.T]

If his sponsors see any marketing value in his name still after the tourist season he had in 2010 he will compete. Or he can of course drive in one of the racing series around the world, maybe red bull takes him a tourist trip like a circus clown around the world to cash on his name while they still can...i wonder if they do children's parties...DTM is also a nice attraction for the has beens of the F1 fun faire.

[Mintexmemory]

If his sponsors see any marketing value in his name still after the tourist season he had in 2010 he will compete. Or he can of course drive in one of the racing series around the world, maybe red bull takes him a tourist trip like a circus clown around the world to cash on his name while they still can...i wonder if they do children's parties...DTM is also a nice attraction for the has beens of the F1 fun faire.

'No water, no food after midnight, and no bright light.' ...and no mentions of Finnish F1 world champions :) Sorry folks I shouldn't have made a response to the thread bump (no news is good news).

[Tomi]

let's wait to see how committed he is to the idea of spending his own cash to compete

Lol are you serious. cant think of any professional driver who pay his drives.

[julkki]

If his sponsors see any marketing value in his name still after the tourist season he had in 2010 he will compete. Or he can of course drive in one of the racing series around the world, maybe red bull takes him a tourist trip like a circus clown around the world to cash on his name while they still can...i wonder if they do children's parties...DTM is also a nice attraction for the has beens of the F1 fun faire.

Kimi earned 27 million euros through sponsors in this year only...plus the 17 million from Ferrari. 44 million € from "cooling season"...So I think the sponsors might be interested of him in 2011 also..

[N.O.T]

Lol are you serious. cant think of any professional driver who pay his drives.

i can think of many...

[N.O.T]

Kimi earned 27 million euros through sponsors in this year only...plus the 17 million from Ferrari. 44 million € from "cooling season"...So I think the sponsors might be interested of him in 2011 also..

nice numbers.....false of course but still, finnish media and fans are good in such kind of propaganda...

do they pay those numbers to him because he is handsome ?? I guess no...they get a lot more from him from guest appearances... from childrens parties...from driving around for the girls to cheer for him...thats why they pay him...the problem is his failure is now continuous...after failing in F1...he failed in rallying so the circus must move to different territory...or they can give some more to Quesnel...once it dries up he can spend those millions in cheeseburgers...and he got a lot of practice with that this year.

[julkki]

nice numbers.....false of course but still, finnish media and fans are good in such kind of propaganda...

do they pay those numbers to him because he is handsome ?? I guess no...they get a lot more from him from guest appearances... from childrens parties...from driving around for the girls to cheer for him...thats why they pay him...the problem is his failure is now continuous...after failing in F1...he failed in rallying so the circus must move to different territory...or they can give some more to Quesnel...once it dries up he can spend those millions in cheeseburgers...and he got a lot of practice with that this year.

Sorry, in Finland we don't act like in Greece. False information to people leading to bankrupt.

The source is Swiss economic newspaper Bilan.

[Rallyper]

Kimi earned 27 million euros through sponsors in this year only...plus the 17 million from Ferrari. 44 million € from "cooling season"...So I think the sponsors might be interested of him in 2011 also..

True or not. Still I believe Kimi can pay his own wheel for one year or another just to develop and find out how high he can reach. He will have bread on his table anyway.

2012 will be his break through if he continue to practise.

Failure in 2010 - no way for a beginner taking points and stagewins first year in WRC.

[rallyfiend]

Lol are you serious. cant think of any professional driver who pay his drives.

You mean other than half the F1 grid, a good smattering of WTCC, most GP2, some MotoGP......

[Tomi]

You mean other than half the F1 grid, a good smattering of WTCC, most GP2, some MotoGP......

really? how can so crap drivers have earn so much money as drivers, that they can affort to pay their drive.

[Allyc85]

Sponsors and rich dads!!!

[N.O.T]

really? how can so crap drivers have earn so much money as drivers, that they can affort to pay their drive.

the same way peter does it...the same way wilson does it...the same way latvala sustained his palce in the team...the same way most of the professional drivers started their careers.

As for the kimi salary from sponsors....there is absolutely no way he earned that much, especially when champions earn much less...maybe the newspaper refers to gross income which is a very different story...like the footbal transfers.....its ok to feed from lies...it gives a false sense of accomplisment for your idols.

[vkangas]

Lol are you serious. cant think of any professional driver who pay his drives.

Have to agree with Tomi here.

Actually I think this is just a matter of how you define a pay driver... in my opinion a driver is a pay driver if he has other business etc. that he uses to get the money for rallying. Personal sponsor deals are a part of professional sport and do not make a pay driver.

The biggest difference to the old days is that nowadays there is much more personal driver-sponsor deals and then people seem to think that "driver pays to drive". It does not matter if the sponsor pays to the driver who then has the money to buy a seat (and also get some salary) or the sponsor pays to the team that pays salary for the driver.

[alleskids]

True or not. Still I believe Kimi can pay his own wheel for one year or another just to develop and find out how high he can reach. He will have bread on his table anyway.

.

A ride with the DS3 WRc costs 2,5 miljoen for the whole 2011 year. If he spends the cooling down and stay away money from Ferrari, he can buy the whole Ford or Citroen team if he would like to do. If Kimi really enjoys rally, he can buy any car in any team he would like to drive. He could drive Oliviers Quesnels own car if he wants.
Don't feel sorry for Kimi if he does not get a rally drive in 2011. He could buy it any time he wants, at any team he likes.

[Woodeye]

As for the kimi salary from sponsors....there is absolutely no way he earned that much, especially when champions earn much less...maybe the newspaper refers to gross income which is a very different story...like the footbal transfers.....its ok to feed from lies...it gives a false sense of accomplisment for your idols.

I can see the village idiot is crying here yet once again. Continuing his one mans battle against the windmills and getting nothing but being laughed at.

Check for example the Forbes list for the best paid sportsmen from the days when Kimi was still in F1 and then come back to cry about the "lies" someone else is "feeding" here.

[cali]

Have to agree with Tomi here.

Actually I think this is just a matter of how you define a pay driver... in my opinion a driver is a pay driver if he has other business etc. that he uses to get the money for rallying. Personal sponsor deals are a part of professional sport and do not make a pay driver.

The biggest difference to the old days is that nowadays there is much more personal driver-sponsor deals and then people seem to think that "driver pays to drive". It does not matter if the sponsor pays to the driver who then has the money to buy a seat (and also get some salary) or the sponsor pays to the team that pays salary for the driver.

As I recall in North America sponsors are paying for seats in racing (Indy, Nascar etc). Our american friends can correct me if I'm wrong :)

So this is nothing new to me

[cali]

the same way peter does it...the same way wilson does it...the same way latvala sustained his palce in the team...the same way most of the professional drivers started their careers.

As for the kimi salary from sponsors....there is absolutely no way he earned that much, especially when champions earn much less...maybe the newspaper refers to gross income which is a very different story...like the footbal transfers.....its ok to feed from lies...it gives a false sense of accomplisment for your idols.

Pathetic way of justifying yourself ... how do you know it is a lie? How much did he earn then, if you know that this figure is a lie?

Stop proving your point, you have crossed the line between reality and wishful thinking ...

[Tomi]

there is absolutely no way he earned that much, especially when champions earn much less...

Those 2 things has nothing to do with each other in sport.

[Hartusvuori]

Kimi and Ken to unite in 2011?

That would make a perfectly equal and commercial team.

Google translate (http://translate.google.fi/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fi&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iltasanomat.fi%2Fralli%2FFord%2 520kutsuu%2520R%25C3%25A4ikk%25C3%25B6st%25C3%25A4 %2Fart-1288356315675.html)

[N.O.T]

so no red bull for kimi? or no monster for Block ?

[Hartusvuori]

so no red bull for kimi? or no monster for Block ?

This rumour puts Block and Räikkönen as team mates for next season. They had a meeting over it after Rally Wales with some consult telling how things should be done...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs950.snc4/74383_460798205764_139454585764_5825258_8044356_n. jpg

[Leon]

Kimi and Ken to unite in 2011?

That would make a perfectly equal and commercial team.

Google translate (http://translate.google.fi/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fi&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iltasanomat.fi%2Fralli%2FFord%2 520kutsuu%2520R%25C3%25A4ikk%25C3%25B6st%25C3%25A4 %2Fart-1288356315675.html)

So no Atko for WRC?

[Tomi]

So no Atko for WRC?

propably he stll cant find any sponsors.

[Langdale Forest]

Kimmi back to F1 next year....

Kimi Räikkönen back in F1 with LRGP in 2012 (http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/8034-Kimi-Raikkonen-back-in-F1-with.html)

[AndyRAC]

Unsurprisingly, and predictably – Kimi’s return to F1 has made more news here in the UK than in the whole of his 2 years in the WRC.....
I wish him well, but I think he could have done better – but did he bring the coverage everybody expected??

[Mintexmemory]

Unsurprisingly, and predictably – Kimi’s return to F1 has made more news here in the UK than in the whole of his 2 years in the WRC.....
I wish him well, but I think he could have done better – but did he bring the coverage everybody expected??

Not at all! Completely failed to engage with the sport and treated it as a diversion so he wouldn't be board lounging on his yacht. His reluctance to eversuper rally or stay one minute longer than the tiime spent in car means I can only echo the sentiment expressed in last week's Motorsport News.

[Barreis]

Good for Kimi and bad for WRC.

[N.O.T]

good news...good riddance from our sport.

[Hartusvuori]

Kimi did well in NORF 2009 as practically a first-timer, even rolled properly, but since then...

[Barreis]

This shows in how bad shape is WRC 'cos even with this big sport character like Kimi sport was in medias on low. Very bad.

[Barreis]

Agree.

[N.O.T]

maybe the reason the sport is so low with the media is because you cannot consider a sport serious when every clown can jump into a car in the top category...

once again...

GOOD RIDDANCE ICECUBE.

[Barreis]

maybe the reason the sport is so low with the media is because you cannot consider a sport serious when every clown can jump into a car in the top category...



Must agree with this also.

[N.O.T]

no...you would not.

[Barreis]

They can drive swrc, pwrc, jwrc (or M-sport academy :D ).

[mousti]

Isn't it good that Rallying is more accessible than F1 that's one of the reasons I don't follow that anymore, it's getting over the top and all those Tilke circuits doesn't help them at all.

[N.O.T]

in my opinion the best cars should only be driven by the best drivers...simple as that...

If nobodies and unemployed hamburger blond boys want to drive a WRC they should do it in village events and lady cup championships...the WRC should be EXCLUSIVELY for the best and those that have a future.

[cali]

in my opinion the best cars should only be driven by the best drivers...simple as that...

If nobodies and unemployed hamburger blond boys want to drive a WRC they should do it in village events and lady cup championships...the WRC should be EXCLUSIVELY for the best and those that have a future.

On what planet are you living?? Star trek universe??? Idealistic, but unreal wishes ...

[AndyRAC]

in my opinion the best cars should only be driven by the best drivers...simple as that...

If nobodies and unemployed hamburger blond boys want to drive a WRC they should do it in village events and lady cup championships...the WRC should be EXCLUSIVELY for the best and those that have a future.

But that's never been what the sport is about - this isn't F1. One of the attractions is driving on the same stage on the same event as the top WRC boys.....

[N.O.T]

But that's never been what the sport is about - this isn't F1. One of the attractions is driving on the same stage on the same event as the top WRC boys.....

i never said i want privateers out of the wrc rounds...i said i do not want nobodies into WRC cars....

[pete c]

Yeah we dont want it to become like F1 and have paid drivers getting seats at the expense of talent......

[mousti]

Won't happen very fast there is not like F1 limited cars, if u got money u'll get a car but another one that is already been used. Although at beginning of this season it was limited because of a new era of cars. Now I think it's kinda unlimited if u got the backing.

[Barreis]

If you have money your first rally can be WRC rally 'cos you don't need some super licence like in F1.

[sollitt]

i never said i want privateers out of the wrc rounds...i said i do not want nobodies into WRC cars.... That's just rubbish from someone with very little knowledge or experience of the sport. Rallying, even WRC, is about the opportunity to pit yourself and the resources you can muster against the top or paid factory teams. The bane of the sport of late is not the paying drivers in customer cars (the more the merrier) but the fact that those who can put together a programme cannot obtain a car of the same spec as the top guys therefore challenging them on a level playing field. As a consequence we have the diluted anticeptic farce that is WRC presently.
Kimi might not have brought much to the sport but he didn't detract from it either.

[tfp]

That's just rubbish from someone with very little knowledge or experience of the sport. Rallying, even WRC, is about the opportunity to pit yourself and the resources you can muster against the top or paid factory teams. The bane of the sport of late is not the paying drivers in customer cars (the more the merrier) but the fact that those whocan put together a programme cannot obtain a car of the same spec as the top guys therefore challenging them on a level playing field. As a consequence we have the diluted anticeptic farce that is WRC presently.
Kimi might not have brought much to the sport but he didn't detract from it either.

:up: That pretty much summed up Mr Warmbolds blog :)

[GallardoGT]

Kimi Raikkonen wins 2013 Australian Grand Prix, congratulations ... that has something to do with his WRC genes :D

[GigiGalliNo1]

Boring. I don't care for his win in another sport. I don't follow it and he's not in the WRC.

Same with Loeb, I don't need to go to Rally websites and read about Loeb's Le Mans career and team and WTCC. Good on them both one moving back to their sport and the other moving away from the WRC. But I don't need updates. I want news and in sights to WRC teams, drivers and rallies.

[GigiGalliNo1]

also... news like this:

"Where was loeb" during mexico. At home. Obviously. Or in a le mans mustang or what ever he will drive. !

News like Loeb might be asked to return to the team is more interesting!

[Kielder]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BDWBy0aCEAEzcHb.jpg:large

[tommeke_B]

Boring. I don't care for his win in another sport. I don't follow it and he's not in the WRC.

Same with Loeb, I don't need to go to Rally websites and read about Loeb's Le Mans career and team and WTCC. Good on them both one moving back to their sport and the other moving away from the WRC. But I don't need updates. I want news and in sights to WRC teams, drivers and rallies.

Wasn't this topic about Kimi Raikkonen?

[GigiGalliNo1]

Your sir, are correct.

[Langdale Forest]

Kimmi kid is back to winning in F1!