Io ero in Ferrari sabato 14 sera: ma voi lo sapevate che all'interno dello stabilimento c'è una via dedicata a Kimi? Mica una via qualsiasi, alla fine di Viale Enzo Ferrari... Ad Alonso una via mica gliel'hanno dedicata... Dai va che a Kimi in Ferrari c'è un sacco di gente che gli vuole bene...
Translation: I was in Ferrari last Saturday night, the 14th. Did you know that inside the stablishment there's a street named after Kimi? and not any street, it's at the end of Enzo Ferrari's boulevard... not a single street named after Alonso... there's a bunch of people at Ferrari who loves Kimi
Kimi Raikkonen better than expected so far says Ferrari By Jonathan Noble Friday, December 20th 2013, 17:00 GMT
quote Kimi Raikkonen's return to Ferrari is going better than expected based on the team's early experiences with him, claims its president Luca di Montezemolo.
Although the Italian team and the Finn parted ways in difficult circumstances at the end of the 2009 Formula 1 season, they put their issues behind them earlier this year after agreeing a deal to reunite from next season.
Di Montezemolo has been impressed with Raikkonen's attitude and expects the Finn will deliver a big boost to Fernando Alonso too.
"Kimi has been better than what I expected," said di Montezemolo during a lunch with media at Ferrari's Fiorano test track.
"He has been welcomed by the fans all over the world, he is far more popular with the fans, and that is important inside the team."
What Raikkonen has to do to succeed at Ferrari
Di Montezemolo has no concerns that the partnership will create any political tensions - and thinks that ultimately Alonso stands to benefit from Raikkonen's support.
"What about [the comments that] putting them together - Alonso and Raikkonen - could be dangerous?" said di Montezemolo.
"In F1 I accept the attitude to equalise everything, sometimes too much, but everything provides potential dangers.
"I think Fernando knows that he drives not for himself but for Ferrari, and Raikkonen knows that he is in the second half of his career, and [there are] two very important years for him in front. Experience, responsibilities."
RAIKKONEN 'A VERY CORRECT GUY'
The president expects Raikkonen to make a bigger difference to Ferrari's title prospects than predecessor Felipe Massa was able to in recent years.
"I think that the main reason why I am positive is because Kimi in particular in the races is very strong, so will be in condition to get points off even some of Fernando's competitors to get points for the team.
"And he is a very correct guy. Since he has been with us we have not got even one moment of problems.
"They are responsible and I think the presence of Kimi will be extremely important and useful to not leave Fernando alone at the front of the grid to fight from the first lap to the end.
"[Stefano] Domenicali has spoken very clear to both of them, and they have the honour and the responsibility to drive for Ferrari.
"Every driver while I have been here knows that he has to drive not for himself but for the team.
"If some driver wants to drive for himself there are many possibilities, they can do their own team, they can go in a different team, but in Ferrari these are the rules - and that is very clear."
Fernando Alonso: Kimi Raikkonen will be an asset to Ferrari in 2014 By Pablo Elizalde Friday, December 20th 2013, 17:12 GMT
quoteFernando Alonso has no doubts that Kimi Raikkonen will be an important asset to Ferrari when he rejoins the team next year.
The Finn, who clinched the Formula 1 title with the Maranello squad in 2007, is replacing Williams-bound Felipe Massa alongside Alonso in 2014.
Although Alonso had said in the past that Massa was no slower than Raikkonen, the Spaniard insisted he rates the Finn, even though he admitted he is yet to form an opinion about him.
"There is a lot of misinformation about my new team-mate. You read things I said that I didn't actually say. I think he can be an important asset to the team next year," Alonso told reporters during a Santander event in Madrid.
"Between Kimi and I, with 12 years of experience [each], that can help us develop the car in certain aspects that are new.
"I can't give an opinion about Kimi because I don't know him. There are others who can give opinions about others without knowing them, but I can't.
"And having not shared a team with him, or having never spent more than 10 minutes with him, I can't say what he's like or who he is.
"With Felipe I shared four years and he was a good person, and we worked for Ferrari together in an efficient and professional way. I think Kimi will be the same, but it's hard to give an opinion now.
"It's important that we work together and that a red car, whichever it is, crosses the finish line first."
Although Ferrari endured a difficult 2013 and was no match for the dominant Red Bull, Alonso thinks there is reason to be confident for next year.
"This year we had a sad or disastrous year, according to some people," he said. "I think the reason to be more optimistic next year is that I'm at Ferrari, which is a top team which can do great things."
I can undestand the fear of many fans about Kimi going back to Ferrari.
But I also understand Kimi wanting to get back, just look at those numbers of Ferrari's fans, plus their history, it's an institution. And probably what he dreamed about when he was younger. Even if he can't win another WDC, he will always be rememberd as a Ferrari driver. He deserves to retire in a top team, a team who hires only the best.
And Kimi is so good, he got hired by Ferrari not once, but twice!
Quote: WHATEVER wrote in post #1451I can undestand the fear of many fans about Kimi going back to Ferrari.
But I also understand Kimi wanting to get back, just look at those numbers of Ferrari's fans, plus their history, it's an institution. And probably what he dreamed about when he was younger. Even if he can't win another WDC, he will always be rememberd as a Ferrari driver. He deserves to retire in a top team, a team who hires only the best.
And Kimi is so good, he got hired by Ferrari not once, but twice!
thanks for this post W!! if Kimi can win over his fears so should we. Kimi is smart enough to know what is Alonso, ferrari, LdM etc...
I dont trust ferrari either, but Kimi will have a chance. lets see, lets be