Kimi's future - No racing in 2010?

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Originally Posted by Fiero 5.7

Based upon their performance over the last half of the season and their enthusiasm to remain in the game, I'd love to see Kimi drive for Force India next year. They are at the point they could benefit from a balls out, hard charger next year and there aren't many to pick from. He could remake his name there and help put finishing touches on Sutil.

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The owner is not short of a quid, that's for sure. And the car isn't half bad; with Kimi in the driver's seat, they could win several races next year.

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Originally Posted by F1boat

Ross Brawn also commented that Kimi is too expensive.
http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...ve-says-brawn/
"However, what does Ross make of the requested figures from the man who was the highest-paid driver on the grid in 2009? "Too expensive," the Englishman said of Räikkönen. "His management negotiate as if there is no seperation from Ferrari."

Of course, as we see with Jenson, Ross is a bit stingy /he reminds me of Frank Williams/, but if McLaren find Kimi expensive, maybe Brawn has a point with the problem.

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Ross Brawn and Frank Williams are not stingy - get real. They are team bosses negotiating with drivers over MILLIONS. It is clearly debatable whether drivers are worth what they are asking when it comes to arguing millions anyway. I am sure Ferrari are grinding their teeth realizing that Raikkonen cost them over 100 million now over the past 12 months with little to show for it. It is a disgusting thing to observe people with more money that they will ever need being brattish.

As Jackie Stewart noted a few days ago, a driver in Button's position should not quibble over a couple of million because over the next few years he will earn a great deal of money.

As history shows, no team should become dependent on any driver.

Clearly if Raikkonen is holding out over having to make sponsor appearances then Mclaren should shut down negotiations. He is not the only driver available and quite frankly I think that Hamilton would whip his ass.

Actually Mclaren do not need a second driver to win. They need a driver that is good at development and will support the team - Kimi is not a team player.

I think that most likely Raikkonen will retire and we have seen Kimi in his last grand prix.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I am sure Ferrari are grinding their teeth realizing that Raikkonen cost them over 100 million now over the past 12 months with little to show for it.

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He won the World Championship. This is not little. And I think that champions should be treated with respect. To me not to increase the already small (compared to other drivers) salary of a World Champion is insulting.
About Kimi, he really wants much. Unlike the case with Jenson, he is very well paid. He wants as much money as Michael had and Michael he is not.

Well who are the options for the 2nd seat at McLaren?

Kovalainen - He's a nice guy and won't cost a lot, but that's the only thing he's going for him.

Raikkonen - The best option, but he and his management need to get sensible with his salary (unlikely?). He is perhaps the most overpaid driver in history. Ferrari were dumb to pay him as much as they did.

Sutil - Who suggested him? I don't need to explain why he wouldn't be suitable for the job.

Heidfeld - Relatively cheap, consistent. Out-pointed Kubica despite usually anonymous and sometimes unexplainably terrible performances.

If its an option between paying Raikkonen more than $20 million or getting Heidfeld, McLaren should get Heidfeld lickety split.

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Originally Posted by Malllen

Well who are the options for the 2nd seat at McLaren?

Kovalainen - He's a nice guy and won't cost a lot, but that's the only thing he's going for him.

Raikkonen - The best option, but he and his management need to get sensible with his salary (unlikely?). He is perhaps the most overpaid driver in history. Ferrari were dumb to pay him as much as they did.

Sutil - Who suggested him? I don't need to explain why he wouldn't be suitable for the job.

Heidfeld - Relatively cheap, consistent. Out-pointed Kubica despite usually anonymous and sometimes unexplainably terrible performances.

If its an option between paying Raikkonen more than $20 million or getting Heidfeld, McLaren should get Heidfeld lickety split.

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And Button is also an unlikely possibility. He is a world champion and a lot cheaper then Lewis. He will be at least a solid and consistent finisher.

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Originally Posted by keysersoze

Now THIS is a funny post! The Iceman wouldn't condescend to spend even one minute under the Force India hospitality tent, much less drive their cars.

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Yep, and I think the guy was being serious :D :D .

Well, If Kimi doesn't get a ride, he could do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JgN...eature=related

:D

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Originally Posted by Malllen

Sutil - Who suggested him? I don't need to explain why he wouldn't be suitable for the job.

[B]

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I don't understand why I have this gut feeling about Sutil. Kimi did cost him a win when he was in an obviously inferior car. I guess he is a fighter more than anything else. God knows he ran into Ant that many times that cost Ant races. Who knows? Maybe he will come good driving for Mallya. Maybe I'm just being silly about this guy, who knows. Some of us are punters and like the outsiders.

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Ross Brawn and Frank Williams are not stingy - get real. They are team bosses negotiating with drivers over MILLIONS. It is clearly debatable whether drivers are worth what they are asking when it comes to arguing millions anyway. I am sure Ferrari are grinding their teeth realizing that Raikkonen cost them over 100 million now over the past 12 months with little to show for it. It is a disgusting thing to observe people with more money that they will ever need being brattish.

As Jackie Stewart noted a few days ago, a driver in Button's position should not quibble over a couple of million because over the next few years he will earn a great deal of money.

As history shows, no team should become dependent on any driver.

Clearly if Raikkonen is holding out over having to make sponsor appearances then Mclaren should shut down negotiations. He is not the only driver available and quite frankly I think that Hamilton would whip his ass.

Actually Mclaren do not need a second driver to win. They need a driver that is good at development and will support the team - Kimi is not a team player.

I think that most likely Raikkonen will retire and we have seen Kimi in his last grand prix.

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I knew I'd agree with you at some point, SD, although I'm not sure where you got the $100 million figure and I'm not certain Lewis would crush Kimi.

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Originally Posted by henners88

I was very surprised to see a statement like this from someone who has gushed over Jenson claiming the "ultimate motorsport prize".. If you think winning one WDC and helping a team to 2 WCC is very little in 3 years I might add, then you are seriously devaluing JB's achievements this season.

Yes Raikkonen was on an obscene amount of money, but Ferrari were more than willing to pay that so that was their mistake. Drivers can ask for what they want, but the're only worth what teams are willing to pay for them. :)

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I am a Jenson supporter but that does not mean I slavishly support every position he may take.

He is entitled to ask and negotiate for as much as he can, but should not let it trip up the future. Being WDC will earn him many millions in the next couple of years if he manages things well.

Raikkonen won in 2007 but his value is not the same now - in f1 a year is a long time ago and three is eternity.

Kimi on the day is brilliant but as a fan observing a driver he is to me largely an enigma. I am beginning to think that that was why Ferrari made the decision they did.

Given the situation Alonso was a no-brainer and maybe contrary to expectations the relationship will work well.