Zitat Kimi Raikkonen's return could re-energise Ferrari In years to come will Ferrari’s rehiring of Kimi Raikkonen be remembered as a triumph, a bold move that heralded a return to former glories? Rehiring of Kimi Raikkonen can fire up Ferrari
By David Coulthard
6:50AM BST 12 Sep 2013
Or will it be remembered as a disaster, a relationship that ended in tears for a second time in the space of a few seasons? I cannot say for certain but it is going to be fascinating finding out.
One thing I do know, having worked with Kimi, is that what you see is very much what you get. He is cool, unflappable and completely apolitical. He just does not get involved in all of the paddock conspiracy stuff.
Like Felipe Massa at the moment, Kimi will get on with the job at hand and not rock the boat. He did not rock the boat in 2008 and 2009 when Felipe started to get on top of him.
Kimi’s ice-cool demeanour should not be mistaken for a lack of desire, though. He did not leave Ferrari on the best of terms in 2010, having lost his way somewhat, but he is older and wiser now after two years out in the World Rally Championship. And he is still extremely quick.
The question is will Fernando Alonso rock the boat if Kimi starts to push him close, or even beat him? I don’t think so.
A lot of people refer back to Fernando’s time at McLaren in 2007, and cite that season as proof that he is liable to throw his toys out of the pram if he does not get his way.
I disagree. I believe Fernando lost his cool because he felt destabilised and betrayed by the fact that McLaren did not deliver on promises made, rather than because a rookie Lewis Hamilton was challenging him.
In my opinion, Fernando is the complete driver and will raise his game with Kimi there for the next two seasons, which is a worry for everyone else.
Ross Brawn might say that Mercedes have the strongest pairing in Lewis and Nico Rosberg.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner might try to claim that Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo is the best line-up. But on paper at least, no one can compete with Fernando and Kimi.
I happen to think the new engine package will largely determine who wins next year, but with James Allison and Rory Byrne back on the technical side, and Kimi and Fernando in the cockpit, Ferrari are starting to look very strong.
Leo Turrini had very similar beliefs about Fernando's previous attitudes at McLaren and how they would not reemerge while being paired alongside Raikkonen at Ferrari. There are clearly some differences in the past (McLaren) and present (Ferrari) situations. It's everyones best guess what will happen until we reach that point. But it is reassuring to hear multiple sources saying they think the relationship will work well.
One guy in twitter post a lot of nice stuff today. https://twitter.com/KimiFanPage Quotes from Steve Robertson, Heikki Kovalainen and Davide Valsecchi arts" title="hearts" />
ZitatSteve Robertson: “I never asked Kimi to return. It was he who wanted to come back. I never said it to him, but I thought he was too young to quit in 2009. I was surprised when he contacted me and told he wanted to return. I thought it could be difficult, especially since Michael Schumacher was at the same time in trouble after his comeback. We managed to get him into good positions and then Kimi made a completely fantastic comeback, which now leads back to Ferrari.”
ZitatHeikki Kovalainen talking about karting days against Kimi: “He was clearly quick and talented. He was a fighter. He never gave up. I knew his Dad, I know his Mum and his brother – it’s just that Kimi has not changed. He’s always been like that and it’s great.”
ZitatDavide Valsecchi: ''Yes, I think it was the best choice possible if we consider that Kimi was the last driver who won the wdc for Ferrari. They certainly start among the favourites to win the constructors title with Kimi.''
''By watching Kimi up close, I have the feeling that's he an incredibly talented man. In terms of talent, Kimi's the best one today in Formula 1. Kimi and Hamilton overall.''
''Only the people who don't know him say that Kimi's hard to deal with. The truth is that all mechanics and engineers love him. Kimi only speaks with the people that interest him, with those who make him go fast on the track.''
"Perfectly normal [relationship with Kimi]. With Grosjean he has a bit more of a difficult relationship. Maybe because Kimi is not worried about me. That's the truth, he's a little bit particular (probably means different) with his team-mates. He minds his own business, does his work and doesn't give a damn about the others. Yes, to tell the truth, they (Kimi and Romain) don't have a great relationship.''
I dont quite agree with DC. Alonso will feel betrayed if somehow Kimi gets the better of him. The relationship will go very well if Alonso is ahead of Kimi.
I've been thinking a bit about this situation, and when I really think about it Kimi doesn't have much to lose in this situation. It is really amusing reading around the web how Massa dominated Kimi and how Alonso will also dominate him. Most people, 99%, already believe that Alonso will be ahead of Kimi. If this actually happens no one would be to surprised, if Kimi runs Alonso close or get ahead of of him it is going to be much more damaging for Alonso, so overal Kimi doesn't have much to lose.
But I must admit even I myself think it would be difficult for Kimi, Alonso has been there for 4 years and Kimi would be new to the team. But at the same time there is quite a few interesting stories doing the rounds, about Alonso's position within the team:
ZitatThe story about Alonso’s behaviour and how he had fallen out with the team and their little nickname for him – had been reported and was building here for some time before even then. I seem to remember discussing the chaos which was carrying on behind the scenes in Maranello with someone at Ferrari some days or even over a week before. There were threats flying from both sides and Alonso was seriously throwing his weight around about Massa and slagging off those involved in the car design and development. We have 2 roosters – for now…
ZitatYou may not realise how bad the relationship between the team and Alonso is – and we are at a stage where it is being media managed with sticky tape for now. I believe there were serious talks over of Alonso leaving, buying out his contract/being paid off – but this became a stalemate issue. When Alonso was informed Kimi was being recruited, it was presented to him that they would announce Kimi, but not who would be leaving. His demeanour – as was pointed out here last Friday – in the Monza Press Conference was very strange. Kimi will definitely be more popular in Maranello I do agree, he would be foolish to leave but Kimi’s driving style should suit the 2014 engines better and the huge torque increase – so it is not a forgone conclusion that Alonso will best him.
ZitatThe love relationship between Ferrari and Alonso has cooled considerably, despite protestations to the contrary. After a bad summer, it was always likely to finally win the title again after 2007 to Maranello.
Alonso responded frustrated. He took the slow pace of development in the criticism. Not even excessively hard. What he said had hand and foot. But at home already the nerves in the factory were blank. As Alonso management hypocrisy on the clumsy trick of Red Bull fell for those interested in the Spaniard, president Luca di Montezemolo, the horse went through. He read his number one the Levites. But not enough. Alonso was now under observation. Each of his gestures, his every word was placed on the gold scale. In Spa there was trouble again. Despite the magnificent journey of ex-champions from 9th to 2nd rank The management resented Alonso that he stood with sullen face on the podium and warned us that the Red Bull is still the better car.
Something demotivated the team, it was Ferrari in the innermost circle. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko can understand that, "As Vettel 2010 as the third on the podium's face fell in Hungary, we have also told him that such a thing does not go Others would be happy if they had the fault of third parties.. and then he not made the team. " Montezemolo had in the crisis atmosphere even listen ridicule. Critics accused Ferrari before that Alonso was the real boss. And as long as Massa would put into the second cockpit, as he liked that. As such was the commitment of Raikkonen also something like an act of defiance. Just to show who wears the pants at Ferrari.
Alonso already drew in a spa. He could live with any teammates, he said at the Ferrari press round. Probably because he has already guessed that Kimi slips more and more into the role of favorite.
Raikkonen had for Ferrari but also very practical reasons. Next year, the biggest technical challenge is coming up. Since experience helps. Race and intelligence. And two pilots that can compensate for a technical deficit, because if there is one.
As strange as it might be Kimi could actually have some clout at Ferrari, for now, if some of these stories are true. Kimi has also changed a bit in his second career, I dont think he will just stay completely quiet like before, there have already been a few situations since Kimi's return where he has spoken up, where he wouldnh't perhaps have done so in this first career. However the fact that Kimi is more quiet, might now actually for once be an advantage for him in Ferrari. But we'll see, this is an interesting situation.
I agree, Kimi is different to what he once was, now he openly demanded some things to be solved. He has also benefitted from his rally years, as I think he tries to overtake or overtakes in places you would think you cant. So he trusts even more to his feeling about the grip and handling of the car. When you drive for years on the gravel for example , you learn to find the grip and then again, you dont get nervous if the grip is lost occasionally. (speaking of own experience) Next year this quality of Kimi will come handy but I wouldnt say Alonso would be any weaker. But IF Kimi gets everything he wants like he wants, I truly believe he will have upper hand of Alonso. They will be very close but I believe Kimis "head" is stronger.
Zitat UK exclusive: Kimi Raikkonen interview In the days before his Ferrari return was confirmed, Sky Sports Online sat down with the man-of-the-moment at Monza to talk 2014, his relationship with Luca di Montezemolo, his time at Lotus and his allure for '70s-style F1
By Mike Wise. Last Updated: September 13, 2013 1:35pm
One question loomed large over the Monza paddock last weekend, before reaching critical mass earlier this week: will Kimi Raikkonen return to Ferrari next season? Now we have our answer.
"I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years," Raikkonen said on Wednesday. "I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years, first and foremost, winning the World Championship title in 2007, which was really unforgettable."
Effusive stuff. Six days earlier came this slightly more muted response, when Sky Sports Online sat down with Raikkonen at the Italian Grand Prix.
"I don't know. We'll see, once I know what will happen. I'm not going to answer anything because you ask the same questions in ten different ways. You'll not get anything."
Not that we were expecting anything from Raikkonen - particularly on this subject. Getting anything out of Kimi is hard enough at the best of times and yet reporters persist; not only because he's a former World Champion and one of the pre-eminent drivers of the age but also because, every so often, he comes up with something special.
It might just be a few words, but it's invariably something no other driver would say. And it's often very funny. It also helps explain why he's one of F1's most popular drivers - if not the most popular. Raikkonen's vexed radio messages as he sped to victory in last year's Abu Dhabi GP, not to mention the discussion of his bowel movements with Martin Brundle on the grid at Interlagos in 2006, aren't the half of it: YouTube tributes give testament to the appeal of that deadpan, dazed delivery.
Those are the pearls but in order to find them, you have to sift through an awful lot of grit. "I don't know"; "It's difficult to say"; "We'll have to wait and see"; "It is what it is" - all stock phrases Raikkonen uses when deflecting questions, both pointed and prosaic. Sometimes there's a flash of irritation; more usually questions he doesn't care for are cut short by a weary croak of distress, a bit like a sheep that's snagged itself on a barbed-wire fence.
We've been hearing it even more than usual this summer but Raikkonen was rather more genial when asked about the swirl of speculation that 'silly season' whips up, chuckling at the guessing game surrounding his future. "Obviously I see it if I read some newspapers, because every day is a different story. But it's normal in Formula 1 - people try to guess and as long as they guess enough different choices then one of those will be the right one," he said.
"Every year at more or less the same time it's the same thing. It's just different drivers and different teams. I don't why people make so much effort because, for sure, in the end when somebody knows what they're doing, they will tell and it's as simple as that."
That end has now been reached, with Raikkonen committing himself to a two-year contract as Fernando Alonso's team-mate. The pair passed each other in Maranello's revolving door four years ago, when the Scuderia paid off Raikkonen's contract (at that time one of the most lucrative in sport) to make way for the Spanish double World Champion.
Of course, his return triggers all manner of expectation - not to mention the possibility of intrigue. This is Ferrari after all, although according to Raikkonen, rumours of a rift with the marque's excitable President Luca di Montezemolo stretching back to 2009 are wide of the mark. "I've never had a problem with him. For sure I've had arguments with many people and not just with him but with some other team bosses also. There's always a lot of rumours about different things I've done. But people write and they have no idea what's going on inside the team."
It was Montezemolo who used the metaphor "two roosters in the same hen-house" to describe precisely the team dynamic Ferrari didn't want; yet it's one they now appear wilfully destined to have created - unless, that is, an older, wiser Alonso and the apolitical Raikkonen can co-exist without feathers flying.
Whether Maranello is big enough for the both of them remains to be seen but when the subject was broached with Raikkonen, the shutters slammed down again. "I don't know. Go and ask them. I don't do anything with them. I don't decide; you'll have to go and ask them. How can I answer some questions about some other team?"
Concerned we weren't sure where to find Ferrari's HQ in the Monza paddock, he pointed towards the throng camped outside it and added: "Go that way and ask."
Raikkonen to join Ferrari
Ferrari remain "some other team" for now as Raikkonen still has seven races left to run for Lotus. There's no doubt the partnership has worked well since he returned to F1 at the start of 2012: two victories and 27 consecutive points finishes certainly constitutes a greater strike-rate than some had anticipated - if not the team themselves by the sounds of it.
"It's so far been very nice, great people to work with and obviously we want to improve things. Since we've started working together, it's been going well - probably what they expected for how the team has improved from the past years," Raikkonen said.
"But obviously it's never enough and we want to do well. But they've been very good for me and hopefully I've been good for them."
Was that last sentence an indication that Raikkonen had already made his mind up? He was open about the financial straitjacket Lotus find themselves in - "Obviously you want your salary when you work" - and in delivering the line, "We've won races, two in two years" with an ironic laugh, he hinted that it isn't enough. Such conjecture is now academic, although when it comes to making a decision, Kimi is an old enough hand to get his ducks in a row (as the Finns probably don't say).
"I need to have things as I wish and I want. Otherwise there's no real point to do some quick, silly decisions - that you're not 100 per cent sure you want to do those things and get the things as you want," he said. "I've been long enough in the sport to know what I want and what should be right for me."
One thing he was quick to point out, however, is that a move anywhere represents a gamble - to Ferrari, or even to Red Bull, whom Raikkonen was linked with for most of the summer. "Nobody really knows with all the changes in the rules," he said. "You hear a lot of stories from different teams that they have so much more horsepower or they are so good with the new rules, but I don't think we know it exactly until we get the new cars running and we get the first few tests done.
"You expect that the big teams will have more people and more money to do things. But we've seen in the past that big teams can get it wrong. I don't know. I have no idea who will have the best car; I don't think nobody does. Of course, you always expect your team to have the best car and it always looks the nicest car ever when they show it. But if it's not fast then that's another thing."
Further questions cover the Red Bull link - "I don't know why people try to make a big story out of it because I think it was pretty obvious what would happen" - Sebastian Vettel - "He was good straightaway when he came into Formula 1. I think he did his first race at Sauber, or BMW, or whatever it was" - and Sergey Sirotkin, the 18-year-old Russian who Sauber are pushing towards a 2014 race seat.
Sirotkin's presence in F1 is being questioned on account of his lack of experience and success to date but Raikkonen, who made his debut for Sauber in 2001 having previously contested just 23 car races, is open to the idea. "If you're good enough then you're not going to be any more dangerous than some other drivers out there," he said with a knowing smile. "Good for him if he gets the chance."
From F1's future to its past and with the sport currently surfing a wave of nostalgia as the film 'Rush' gets its long-awaited release on Friday, there's time to ask Raikkonen about that era. He's hinted before at an affinity with how the sport was in the 1970s and practiced at Monaco last year wearing a replica of James Hunt's crash helmet.
"For sure, Formula 1 was different. But if you look at any sport it was different because obviously there's much more money involved in all the sports and the big companies behind it will always change the sport - sometimes in good ways and sometimes in not so good ways," he said.
"There was much more risk involved also in those days, so people probably lived in a different way - because they probably expected more things going wrong than happens these days. It just looked different. It looked more fun - not just for the drivers but I think for everybody. It was a bit more relaxed and a bit more open."
Raikkonen has not driven a car from that era but added: "It would be nice to try. Just to know how it feels - probably very nice. Just for interest, it would be nice to try.
"There were much more chances to get hurt badly or lose a friend or lose your life. But they took the chance and I'm sure even now if it would be similar - more dangerous like that - there would be people taking the chance.
"Everything has come forward in the sport, the safety. That's how things always move."
As Raikkonen has shown, not everything - or rather everyone - moves forward all the time. How will his second stint at Ferrari work out alongside Alonso? We'll have to wait and see.
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ZitatKimi Raikkonen Q&A: “Hopefully it means I won’t be asked so much where I’m driving next year…”
Kimi Raikkonen is the man of the moment for obvious reasons, but before he rejoins Ferrarin 2014 he still has a championship to fight for. Lotus has issued this Q&A with the Finnish star about his prospects for Singapore.
Q: It’s now been announced where you will drive next year; how does that affect the rest of your season?
“Hopefully it means I won’t be asked so much where I’m driving next year, but maybe it means more questions. For my racing this season it doesn’t make any difference. I’ll keep pushing at every race to get the best result I can.”
Q: Are you looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix?
“I really like going to Singapore. It’s a great place to be, I love the local food, and I don’t mind the unusual times we run in the car as it means I don’t have to get up so early. I have some unfinished business after my three Grands Prix there so far, as I enjoy the circuit but have not yet had a podium. That doesn’t mean I’m not quick there as I’ve been told I still hold the lap record from 2008. I crashed while fighting for fifth place that year, finished down in tenth in 2009, and took sixth last season, so I want more this time.”
Q: What difference does it make racing at night?
“In the first years of the race being held I was a little bit surprised by how people were talking so much about the different timing. Obviously when they switched on the lights it was exactly the same as racing in the day time. I think everybody in Formula 1 enjoys the night race. It’s worked out really well as Singapore is a buzzing city and lots of people turn up. Apart from one or two dark spots in the run-off areas the circuit is very well lit, so there is not a big difference to racing in the day.”
Q: Regardless of being at night, it’s a street race; what effect does this have?
“Monaco was not that good for us but there is no reason why Singapore should be difficult. Like at every street circuit it’s very difficult to pass other cars there, so starting the race as high as possible on the grid is very an important factor in getting a good result on Sunday.”
Q: How do you think the circuit will suit the E21?
“Everybody will bring updates to this race so we’ll have to see what difference that makes. It’s a case of trying to get the maximum from our package and working on achieving the best balance. If we get everything right we should do okay.”
Q: Any worries about the weather?
“We saw rain last year in Singapore and it’s no secret that our car sometimes struggles in wet conditions. It’s something we’ll deal with if it happens, and as always the weather is the same for everyone.”
Q: Is it good to be back to a higher downforce layout?
“After these two weekends with zero points it’s nice to get back to a circuit we expect to be more suited to our car. We seem to go better at high downforce circuits, that’s for sure. The car actually worked surprisingly well at Monza during the race so it was a shame we lost so much time at the start. After getting the new nose, our race pace was not too bad.”
Q: What’s your target in Singapore?
“Obviously, the podium is a target again. We’ve had two races without scoring any points so we need to score as many as we can in the remaining races this season.”
Q: How are you feeling about your Championship charge?
“You don’t win Championships by not scoring points. We’ve had two races where we haven’t scored which is not ideal. We’re here to race and score as many points as we can. Of course, that’s what everyone is trying to do so we just have to keep pushing and hope that we have some pretty good races for the rest of the year, then we’ll see where we end up in the standings.”
ZitatCan Raikkonen win a second title with Ferrari? Friday 13th September 2013, 20:12 by Daniel Chalmers
On current form Ferrari may not seem like a great move for Kimi Raikkonen, but it was his only logical option if he wants a second title. This is a team that hasn’t won a championship since 2008 and have rarely had the quickest car since. It also shouldn’t be forgotten that this is the same team that paid him not to drive in 2010, so that they could bring the team leader they wanted in - Fernando Alonso. One of the most important factors that Kimi will have considered is the 2014 regulation changes. The biggest of those changes is the introduction of 1.6 litre V6 turbo-charged engines. The change in the dimensions of the engine will also affect the rest of the car, including the aerodynamics. Certainly if the rules were stable going into next season Ferrari wouldn’t be an attractive option at all. It would have been hard to see Ferrari being able to overtake Red Bull and indeed Mercedes. However the rule changes are effectively a reset button. The competitive order could change completely. Red Bull would have been the better option. We have seen in the past how brilliant Adrian Newey is at adapting to major rule changes. We saw it back in 1998 when the cars were narrowed and the tyres went from slicks to grooved. McLaren won both championships that year and then again in 1999 Then in 2009 the aerodynamic regulations were significantly changed and F1 went back to slick tyres. Red Bull has been the most successful team in F1 since then. However the option of joining the Milton Keynes squad closed when they opted to sign Daniel Ricciardo. Mercedes are very likely to have a strong engine. Plus they have an army of technical directors working on the car. However they already have two contracted drivers in Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Therefore the Brackley based team were never going to be an option either. In an ideal world the next best option would have been to remain with Lotus. This is a team that Raikkonen has loved driving for and they have enjoyed a great relationship. They understand and adapt to his unique personality. However the list in the cons column started to outgrow the list in the pros column. The 2014 rule changes are really going to eat into team’s budgets. There have been plenty of rumours and stories about the financial situation at Lotus. Even if they are not all true there is no denying that Lotus simply doesn’t have the budget to match the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes. With the new engine regulations having a works engine is going to be a key advantage. As it stands Lotus will be using Renault customer engines, as Red Bull is the Renault works team. Renault will be manufacturing an engine to suit Red Bull’s requirements. Knowing Adrian Newey he will very particular about his what he wants from the engine, so that it fits in with his plans on the rest of the car. It will be like he is designing the engine. A scary thought. Lotus will just get whatever engine Renault gives to Red Bull, and they will be forced to adapt their car to it. Furthermore Lotus has been weakened on the technical side too with technical director James Allison moving to Ferrari. Of course McLaren was another option. However like Lotus they will be using customer engines next year (until Honda joins in 2015). Also the Finn never liked all the PR and sponsor work he had to do when he drove for them in the past. There is a massive amount of that to do at McLaren compared to other teams.
So all things being considered Ferrari was the best move possible move. However there are lots of positives for Ferrari going into 2014. It is potentially the best moment to join them. Despite recent failings the prospects look much better for Ferrari in 2014. Allison is one of the most talented engineers in the paddock and is certainly one of the team’s missing jigsaw pieces. He will have a big impact on the 2014 project. Furthermore Ferrari also has Rory Bryne working on the 2014 car. He was one quarter of the dream team that were responsible for the team’s period of utter domination in the 2000s. He never quite got the same credit as Jean Todt, Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn did, but his contribution was just as important. His record is up there with Newey’s. Engines are going to have a much larger impact on the competitive order than they do currently. If Ferrari can do a great job with their 2014 engine then it could propel them to the front. Ferrari hasn’t been strong in the aero department in recent years. With aero being by far the largest variable on F1 cars of late it’s a weakness that has been pretty painful. If engines become the decisive factor in F1 next year it could suit Ferrari right down the ground, if they get their engine right. With new regulations there is always the chance that one team can find the perfect solution or idea, which leaves the opposition stumped. That’s exactly what we saw in 2009 when Brawn GP pioneered the double diffuser, which was key in their fairytale double championship victory. As we have seen with Renault/Lotus in the past Allison is a very imaginative engineer and often thinks outside of the box. Ferrari now have someone who is capable of coming up with a potentially championship winning idea. He is one of the next best things after Newey. It should also be remembered that Ferrari has a massive F1 budget. The importance of that can’t be underestimated with these huge new regulations. Having two star drivers in the team is going to send lots of positivity round the factory at Maranello. When you have got two such strong drivers it gives that extra incentive to build a great car for them. You know that they will get every last thousandth of a second out of it. One of the important factors for Kimi is whether he can manage to assert himself within the team, which will be critical with Alonso as his team-mate. The Spaniard has been with the team for the last four years so already knows everyone, and will want to continue to control the team. Of course Kimi will know many people from his first stint with Ferrari in 2007-2009.
The Finn will need to ensure that Alonso doesn’t get everything his own way, particularly when it comes to car development. The Spaniard prefers understeer to oversteer whereas the iceman is the other way round. If he just turns up and drives, and lets Alonso do all the work he could end up on the back foot very quickly. He could end up driving a car that is perfect for Fernando and not him. He can’t allow his team mate to consume all the air in the team like Felipe Massa did. He has to be able (and willing) to match his work rate in order to succeed. This is where the biggest question mark lies, and possibly the decider between success and failure. However Kimi is older and wiser now. He has been more focused since he returned from rallying. He also appears to be more tolerable of the things he didn’t enjoy about F1 in the past. So we will see.
Another issue is that he needs to sort is his qualifying pace. It has been a problem ever since he returned to F1. However one lap pace isn’t Alonso’s strong suit either. It’s a weakness that he can target. He needs to make sure that he rattles Fernando’s cage as much as possible. We saw how the Spaniard struggled to cope with Lewis Hamilton as team-mate in 2007. We have also seen him get flustered when Massa has been ahead of on the track in the past. The iceman is very laid back, doesn’t get fazed easily and won’t panic or throw a hissy fit when he gets beaten by his team-mate. Those personality traits will serve him well. Like Jenson Button alongside Hamilton at McLaren, Raikkonen isn’t going to start as the favourite at Ferrari. Most of the pressure is on Alonso to retain his number one position within the team. Kimi can push hard to beat his team mate without too much weight on his shoulders. He has to make the most of the somewhat less harmonious relationship between Fernando and Ferrari. The best way to do that is to match him straight from the start of the year, putting the pressure on immediately.
The last thing to be mentioned is the characteristics of the 2014 cars in terms of what they will be like drive. That could have a huge say in the outcome of the Ferrari driver battle. Until the cars hit the track it’s hard to say whether they will suit Kimi more or Fernando more. The pendulum could swing either way there. In conclusion Ferrari may not have been the first choice but there is nothing to lose, and potentially plenty to gain. If the team can adapt to 2014 and the Finn makes the most of the opportunity a second title is a possibility, albeit a tall order. But it’s a chance worth taking.
ZitatRally made Raikkonen better F1 driver says Solberg By Editor on Monday, September 16, 2013
Kimi Raikkonen’s rallying foray made him a better Formula One driver.
That is the claim of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg, who got to know the ‘iceman’ during his two-year F1 sabbatical in 2010 and 2011.
Finn Raikkonen returned to F1 with Lotus last season, impressing the grand prix world yet again after his career had flat-lined in his final two years at Ferrari.
“I know Kimi and I believe that the rally made him a better Formula One driver,” Solberg told the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG).
Like many observers, Solberg thinks Raikkonen’s return to Ferrari next year, where he will become current ‘number 1′ Fernando Alonso’s teammate, will be interesting to watch.
“Alonso will certainly not like it,” Solberg said of Raikkonen’s impending move.
“But Kimi is cool,” he added. “He drives the car, and that’s it.”
Former Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio said last week he would not have signed Raikkonen.
“I admire his talent, but not his lifestyle or his technical work,” he is quoted by Italy’s Tuttosport.
But another former Ferrari boss, the current FIA president Jean Todt, backed the decision taken by the Maranello team’s current chiefs.
“Ferrari is a Formula One institution, and very strong,” he told the Italpress agency, “and I am absolutely certain they will also be at the highest level in the coming years.”
As for signing Raikkonen, “Ferrari has always known how to make the right decisions,” Todt insisted.
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