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I can't believe Raikkonen is seriously considering a move to Toyota. Eight years and several billion pounds and they still haven't won a race.
Is it that McLaren just haven't got the money? I can see why, paying Raikkonen and Hamilton several million when they've lost their title sponsor, (and possibly Mercedes) might not be affordable.
Kimi has already proven himself as a winner as well as a WDC. But except for his first year at Sauber, he's ONLY been in the best two teams.
I'm not saying he should go to Toyota, but if he does he truly has an opportunity to put a stamp on his legacy--to prove (if he cares to) that he can elevate a team--only the great ones can. I'm talking about putting himself in the same category as the modern giants: Stewart, Lauda, Prost, Senna, and Schumacher, Alonso . . . perhaps Piquet.
(As brilliant as he was, I cannot put Mika in that category, having won all his races with McLaren.)
Kimi to Toyota might just work out fine for KR if Toyota decide to quit after 2010 and re-enter the WRC in 2011. Kimi will be well placed at Toyota then.
Toyota should re-entre the WRC because there is a lack of manufactures there.
Huh??? Who said McLaren are losing Vodafone?? Haven't heard that anywhere?Quote:
Originally Posted by christophulus
I think Kimi is asking Mclaren to pay him the same amount of money they pay Lewis, and there is really no reason why Kimi should have a lower salary than Lewis. He doesn't need the money, the amount money they are willing to pay just shows how much they value him and want him.Quote:
Originally Posted by christophulus
Exactly my thoughts!Quote:
Originally Posted by keysersoze
He needs to make himself a team, a team around him. To win a race and championship with toyota.
I think toyota will definitely stay in F1 if they have Kimi, all they need is one hotshot to play test dummy and eventually succeed Kimi...
Kimi at Toyota would just take a lot of time that Kimi doesn't have..It takes more then a year to develop a car and Raikko says he was to step into something competitive.. Mclaren is by far the best fit for what he wants.
I am not sure if Toyota is really that bad this season... The drivers don't seem too great.Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
They have had 5 podiums this year, which is the same as McLaren, and one less than Ferrari - both teams who have "superstar" drivers compared to Trulli and Glock. Surely if Lewis or Kimi were in the Toyota, they would have had equal if not better results?
Sorry, I meant Santander. You're quite right, Vodafone are hanging around as far as I know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Giuseppe F1
Still, two drivers on £15m a year (I think) is quite a commitment when funds are tight. I reckon McLaren is the best place for Kimi, McLaren surely can't make another dog of a car next year..
Kimi should go to McLaren. They need him more than Kimi needs them. Reason? WCC. Alonso is going to take the title next year, but at least McLaren will have the ability to take the WCC with Lewis and Kimi.
I thought Santander were still onboard with McClaren.Quote:
Originally Posted by christophulus
Kimi chose to leave McLaren. If he wants to return, I don't see him being in a particularly strong position to call the shots.Quote:
Originally Posted by DexDexter
Best way is to sign him to a performance contract - as in dangle the triple filtered - to make sure he doesn't go off the boil.
Your badQuote:
Originally Posted by gloomyDAY
http://www.mclaren.co.uk/
Egg + face?
It could be the other way around too - McLaren wants to evaluate, how committed Kimi is to F1 by not paying him a mega-salary. By the way, he gets a lot of money from Ferrari/Santander as compensation anyway, so McLaren's stance of paying "not that much" is completely justified.Quote:
Originally Posted by DexDexter
I'm not so sure about that.. Mclaren came from way behind to become fast in the second half of the season while Toyota have for the most part remained dormant ..Not sure you can give too much credit to Hamilton (but it did help)..The difference between the drivers is not as big of a gap as many would think, it just depends what car your in.Quote:
Originally Posted by Koz
The way I see it is this...Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
If a relatively average rookie in Kobayashi can come in and do reasonably well against his benchmark - teammate - then the teammate is clearly not that special.
All the teams made vast strides on performance, so Toyota have kept up. Toyota seems to be the Eastbourne of the F1 world, where all the drivers go to finish up their career. Management need to get a proper driver in there. I don't advocate Kimi though, I don't see him keeping his pecker up while the team rebuilds.
:laugh: :laugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
But my point is it is very hard for Mclaren to explain to Kimi why they would pay him less than Hamilton, since Kimi is a more succesful driver than Hamilton. Promise of equal treatment doesn't sound very trustworthy if they pay him less than the other driver, who, on the basis of statistical evidence, is not any better.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGWilko
For the first year I could understand it, but if they do a two-year deal, they have to pay Kimi as much as Lewis in the second year. If they want him that is.Quote:
Originally Posted by jens
Both toyota drivers are ahead of Hekki. Glock did not participate in the last two race. And toyota have had back to back podiums.Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
If drivers aren't that big of a difference, why the huge difference between Kimi and Fisi or Lewis and Heki.
I totally agree. Obviously if there is even a 1c difference then Kimi will be treated as an equal.Quote:
Originally Posted by DexDexter
But then if you look at the statistics... Lewis is a better driver. Kimi has 3 times more starts than Lewis and only 7 more wins.
But statistics aren't everything and everyone knows the quality that is Kimi Räikkönen.
Now Mclaren and Lewis are a different story, and chances are if he goes back he will play second fiddle to Hamilton - such a driver can't be wasted in this way.
True...but how much does Kimi want to be in F1 in two years time? He also had to commit to McLaren over that period. If he wants money he should go to Toyota, if he wants the chance to compete he should go to McLaren.Quote:
Originally Posted by DexDexter
McLaren has the bargaining position, not Kimi, because they still have Hamilton and coudl just as easily bring in DiResta or Heidfeld for less money.
IMO you're underestimating Kimi's market value. I hear all the teams bar Ferrari were/are interested in him.Quote:
Originally Posted by I am evil Homer
Well, you said it, Kimi has more wins than Lewis, and even if Lewis has much fewer starts, he still has to win those 7 races. The statistics are not important in this matter, I just brought them up as evidence of Kimi being on Lewis' level which probably is the basis for him asking the same money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Koz
has nothing to do with it - Kimi spent many years in a car not capable of winning. Lewis has spent none. If I were Kimi I would take the Toyota deal he would do quite well there. Probably Kubica is wishing he took it with the possibility of Renault leaving now.
It is not the same as Hamiltons, becauseQuote:
Originally Posted by DexDexter
1) Kimi is not the most talkative person
2) He is not black
3) Finland is not exactly as big of a player in Financial world as UK.
Kimi wont go to McLaren. Button will drive at McLaren in 2010.
confirmed? no i thought soQuote:
Originally Posted by 555-04Q2
anyway , Abu Dhabi is gonna be Kimi's last race with the ferrari...hoping for a Kimi win
I think that Mercedes will decide this.Quote:
Originally Posted by 555-04Q2
http://club.quotidianonet.ilsole24or...i_rispondo_cheQuote:
Originally Posted by "
"Team principal Whitmarsh is continuing negotiations with Raikkonen. English F1 Racing asks him who of McLaren's drivers would have been his dream team.
– We had Senna-Prost and that didn't work too well. We had Hamilton-Alonso and that didn't work too well either.
– Perharps the best working pairing from our drivers would have been Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen. With them it would have worked. Both are straightforward drivers who concentrate on the driving. Special personalities but intelligent and clever and can give all the necessary feedback to their engineers, Whitmarsh says."
Raikkonen guarantee for the presence of Mercedes
It is considered almost certain that Kimi Raikkonen will be a McLaren driver in 2010. However, the conclusion has been reached after a long time and it will definitely be done after Abu Dhabi. But two obstacles must be overcome.
The first and most worrying, is the relationship between McLaren and Mercedes. The German manufacturer has assured of their presence until the end of their contract, ie until 2011. In fact, Raikkonen got the assurance that the Woking team is fully supported by Mercedes until the end of his contract. This ensures two years of Mercedes's presence in the backing of the Woking team.
The second question is concerning the Mercedes engine, which might lose its dominance in 2010. The Finn is seeking technical guarantees from the manufacturer, guarantees that have been slow to come. On the McLaren side, their charge during 2009 convinced the world champion about their ability to return to the front of the stage.
For the contract, Mercedes-Benz offered the same contract that had been proposed to Kimi Raikkonen in 2006 to keep him in 2007 and 2008 in McLaren alongside Fernando Alonso. A concrete contract, for two seasons, with technical and sporting guaranteed fairness. Which should comfort everyone.
http://www.tomorrownewsf1.com/f1-mcl...-mercedes-8624
Kimi has now confirmed that his only option is McLaren. Ha hasnt even talked to Toyota. Things should be clear in a few days.
Source: Finnish MTV3
So after this weekend we know if Kimi is in F1 business next year or not...
Raikkonen: McLaren the only option..
29.10.2009 13:56
... Kimi Räikkönen told MTV3 that McLaren team is his only option for the employer. (Google translated :b) ...
More info in couple of days (if not earlier) after the Dubai race.. I think the McLaren’s decision will also give info about Kovalainen’s future..
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutise...2009/10/985468
I do want Kimi at Mclaren, but he's got to lower his expectations a bit in terms of salary. he's already getting 27mill from Ferrari and should accept a reasonable salary from the macs. He'd still be the highest paid driver by miles and in championship caliber team.
If his manager continues to play hardball then I think the Mclaren will look elsewhere to fill that slot, possibly sutil, heidfeld or retaining kovy.
I don't think Kimi's manager can play hardball....he's one of f1's top talents but he needs to have a salary on par with Hamilton...not the unrealistic amount they were paying him @ ferrari
The deal is done, Kimi wouldn't say anything about Mclaren being his only option, if the deal wasn't already done he always counts his words very carefully. This is almost as good as a confirmation, you will not get any clearer then that from Kimi. It has been reported that the announcement could be made on Tuesday.
I'll believe it when it is reported in The Bild.
I have a bad feeling...
Ohh man a Raikkonen Hamilton pairing, for sure the best on the grid! Montreal better get their together ,so that I have the possibility of seeing this power house next year :D