CONFIRMED: Räikkönen driving for Lotus-Renault in 2012-2013
Discussion
It's been confirmed by now. Definitely a plus for the next season. I will be looking forward to see Kimi back on action.
Read the official article from Lotus-Renault webpage http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/8034-Kimi-Raikkonen-...
Please tell us what you think.
Read the official article from Lotus-Renault webpage http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/8034-Kimi-Raikkonen-...
Please tell us what you think.
FWDRacer said:
One thing is guaranteed - even if the car is 7/10 tenths - he'll be driving 10/10 tenths out of it. Really great news.
Exactly, Kimi is still one of the fastest drivers around the track based on pure talent.Kimi really adds a fun factor to the sport being not that serious.
What I personally like about Kimi is that he is such a genuine guy and a embodiment of a typical Finnish talent who spent his youth just like many of us around here. Even after all the success and fame he is still the same guy who enjoys doing things just the same even if he wouldn't have been achieved so much.
Somehow I wouldn't imagine J.Button hanging around with his friends dressed as a gorilla.
Kimi's PR spokesperson Riku Kuvaja was interviewed for Finnish newspaper.
"Räikkönen's PR spokesperson Riku Kuvaja is used to tone down the Kimi- news coverage in the last few years. Now you can hear the complacence in his voice over the phone.
- Kimi is very satisfied to the deal both parties agreed on. Mr. Kuvaja is not willing to shear any light on the value of the two year contract with Lotus-Renault, but agrees that it was worth the ex-champion's value. So Kimi got what he wanted.
Räikkönen's dream of returning into F1 did live thorough the two seasons spent in WRC- series. In the end Kimi did not had enough time in WRC, to have been realistic to anticipate podiums or championships.
- The desire to return into Formula 1 was rising in the end and eventually led in to negotations and into this contract, Kuvaja told.
There were other negotiations with other teams too, but spokesperson told the deal came in together without too much effort. It was influenced by the role of Kimi inside the team as well as the financial side. What means the most is the return of the champion.
"Räikkönen's PR spokesperson Riku Kuvaja is used to tone down the Kimi- news coverage in the last few years. Now you can hear the complacence in his voice over the phone.
- Kimi is very satisfied to the deal both parties agreed on. Mr. Kuvaja is not willing to shear any light on the value of the two year contract with Lotus-Renault, but agrees that it was worth the ex-champion's value. So Kimi got what he wanted.
Räikkönen's dream of returning into F1 did live thorough the two seasons spent in WRC- series. In the end Kimi did not had enough time in WRC, to have been realistic to anticipate podiums or championships.
- The desire to return into Formula 1 was rising in the end and eventually led in to negotations and into this contract, Kuvaja told.
There were other negotiations with other teams too, but spokesperson told the deal came in together without too much effort. It was influenced by the role of Kimi inside the team as well as the financial side. What means the most is the return of the champion.
sumpoil said:
one man's meat (ooh,err!) is another man's poison, as the saying goes ..... but, on balance, i like the guy. i like the 'no BS' approach (niki lauda, alan jones, keke rosberg). i'm not saying i don't like the jenson button or mark webber approach, it's just nice to have the contrast.
the bottom line is the man can drive. a phenomenal career in the junior categories (don't forget, he'd only done something like 20-odd car races before his debut in F1), points in his first F1 race and if mclaren had given him a reliable car he'd have probably won two world championships for them. when the car was right he was absolutely untouchable.
as i understand it there were behind-the-scenes problems during his time with ferrari, but as far as i'm concerned if you're getting well paid to do a job you should give 100% all the time. but there you go, that's kimi and that's why ferrari took fernando.
hopefully kimi has rediscovered his mojo, if not then he won't last long.
True facts here. If Mercedes could have delivered more reliable engines, Kimi just could have three championships by now.the bottom line is the man can drive. a phenomenal career in the junior categories (don't forget, he'd only done something like 20-odd car races before his debut in F1), points in his first F1 race and if mclaren had given him a reliable car he'd have probably won two world championships for them. when the car was right he was absolutely untouchable.
as i understand it there were behind-the-scenes problems during his time with ferrari, but as far as i'm concerned if you're getting well paid to do a job you should give 100% all the time. but there you go, that's kimi and that's why ferrari took fernando.
hopefully kimi has rediscovered his mojo, if not then he won't last long.
Kimi just told at the official L-R interview that he never lost the desire and will to win, but got frustrated to the vanity of the sport. After running few raced in Nascar, the will to win grew so much that he wanted to get back into business.
He also mentioned that everyone is always discussing about the motivation of every driver, he highlighted that the driver itself is the only one who knows their motivation and for example he himself would never do something if he wouldn't have interest in doing it. He has great feeling about the season and it is looking forward to the upcoming season.
nickfrog said:
Good news for F1 I guess but I can't stand the guy's attitude.
loose cannon said:
He would be my last choice, crap attitude, non team player and lazy,
Come back soon kubica your missed !
I would like to hear on what facts your knowledge is based? Few interviews from the pit lanes or perhaps from what he does in his private life?Come back soon kubica your missed !
Matt.. said:
He may well come across differently on TV to you than he does to the people he works with.
Yes, indeed. And I think that partly comes from the Finnish culture as well. We have tendency to be a little reserved and sometimes not the most talkative around. As he is very closely followed in the Finnish society, you can get a good sense of what he is of a kind. Häkkinen was not the most verbal at the times either, partly that he didn't speak English that well. 
But what I'm trying to say is that there is a whole other person behind the curtains what seem to be icy, emotionless, quiet or even rude sometimes. I've been hearing so much "inside" stories about him that he is just a wonderful person when you get to know him. Finland is very small country and it is rare, but not impossible to spot Kimi Räikkönen at your local bar*. - And therefore hear things about him, things not heard or read from the media.
Gadgeroonie said:
Very pleased to see him back
how old is he now ?
the Finnish Drivers are the best imho
That is a good point nobody pointed out earlier. Kimi is 32 now if I can count right. So he have been grown up quite alot since the last time in F1.how old is he now ?
the Finnish Drivers are the best imho
nickfrog said:
Yes and particularly in the WRC over the past 10 years or so !
Yes we have a lot of talented drivers around here and the majority of them wont never be able to proceed in their careers. If the whole potential could be used 100%, we would have double the champions by now. We only have sub 6.000.000 people in whole country so only the fortunate will get sponsorships and supporting contracs.wanacoop said:
I think Button is a poor example, as imo, he is one of the most genuine guys in f1, if any, i could see Button looking silly, maybe sporting a tash?
Yeah, might be. I've always found Jenson bit a boring, but after thinking about it I might be wrong actually. Well anyway, what I meant was one of these "robots" the current lineup has. nickfrog said:
Absolutely, the guy's got immense "natural talent" at systematically rolling WRC cars. He has been an absolute joke of a rally driver since day 1 and right to the end, hence the need to come back to F1 with his tail between his legs. Kimi "Charisma" Raikkonen.
I'm really overwhelmed about the critic some of you people give. Last WRC season Kimi got five Top 10 results (6th two times) in different rallies which he attended (11/13), I wouldn't call that an absolute joke at all. Some of these guys have been rallying all of their life, even Kimi's brother was not able to rise this far even though hes been rallying from the beginning! Rallying is a whole another sport and it requires quite alot more than just pure skill of driving.Edited by Twilight1 on Wednesday 30th November 09:47
Denorth said:
and more interesting news from Leo Turrini (big supporter of Ferrari and big fan of Kimi). Cola - press guy from Ferrari.
(translation is courtesy of Wolfie from other forum).
Kimi, 10 million good reasons
Posted by Leo Turrini Thu, 01/12/2011 - 01:09
Wow.
I just came back from a nice dinner with Cola.
The Cola confirmed to me his enthusiasm for the return of the Holy Drinker.
Meanwhile Cola had collected some extra information about the tasty Come Back of the Blond.
I am going to order now.
Kimi has 10 million reasons to drink vodka.
Lotus-Renault is paying him ten million.
I understand that the agreement includes in Marchionne-style a robust performance bonus.
1 million more if the Blond wins at least one Grand Prix.
An extra extra extra bonus if the win comes at some place that is seen as 'special' (read: Monte Carlo or Spa or Monza).
Renault-Lotus has guaranteed to Raikkonen that the car is good from the beginning, since the first Grand Prix of Australia, that it will be in top ten in qualifying.
The drafting of the contract was made up so that by the end of 2012, by paying a small penalty, the Holy Drinker is free to find a home elsewhere (Mercedes, if the Old Uncle decides to devote himself to Corinna).
I just sat there.
Good info here.(translation is courtesy of Wolfie from other forum).
Kimi, 10 million good reasons
Posted by Leo Turrini Thu, 01/12/2011 - 01:09
Wow.
I just came back from a nice dinner with Cola.
The Cola confirmed to me his enthusiasm for the return of the Holy Drinker.
Meanwhile Cola had collected some extra information about the tasty Come Back of the Blond.
I am going to order now.
Kimi has 10 million reasons to drink vodka.
Lotus-Renault is paying him ten million.
I understand that the agreement includes in Marchionne-style a robust performance bonus.
1 million more if the Blond wins at least one Grand Prix.
An extra extra extra bonus if the win comes at some place that is seen as 'special' (read: Monte Carlo or Spa or Monza).
Renault-Lotus has guaranteed to Raikkonen that the car is good from the beginning, since the first Grand Prix of Australia, that it will be in top ten in qualifying.
The drafting of the contract was made up so that by the end of 2012, by paying a small penalty, the Holy Drinker is free to find a home elsewhere (Mercedes, if the Old Uncle decides to devote himself to Corinna).
I just sat there.
skinny said:
petrov at marrusia would have made more sense than pic to me, but i can see him staying at renault - i'm guessing he brings a lot more funding than senna does. and he's loads better than maldonado.
Oh yes, when does Marussia join the F1? After all it is a much more Russian team than the Renault was, logical step forward from Petrov?DanB7290 said:
Hmm, was looking at their website as I quite fancy one of their jackets, look warm, black & gold looks great etc, and under the T shirts and caps, Petrov's gear is reduced (although not massively, 15% at best) while Senna's isn't. Is it worth reading between the lines there, or are they just not selling many Petrov shirts? Is also worth noting that the Heidfeld stuff is going a hell of a lot cheaper!
Good point there.Great Dane said:
mumble mumble mumble i was very, very drunk............ "
Hahaha.Here is a collection of best and worst Kimi's interviews during the years. I found few quite funny. 
http://www.f1zone.net/news/the-words-and-wisdom-of...
http://www.f1zone.net/news/the-words-and-wisdom-of...
interview said:
What makes TAG Heuer special?
It’s ok.
It’s ok.
Thank you very much.
I'm not sure that are you aware that Finnish culture does not use small- talk at all. Hence we speak very directly and someone can find that offensive or rude. I've got so bad looks in British hotels when replying "OK" when asking about how the breakfast was like. I don't mean to insult anyone but I've learnt that you need to tell the breakfast was fine because you want the hostess to feel special and needed, its not a question how did the breakfast taste like.
I'm not sure that are you aware that Finnish culture does not use small- talk at all. Hence we speak very directly and someone can find that offensive or rude. I've got so bad looks in British hotels when replying "OK" when asking about how the breakfast was like. I don't mean to insult anyone but I've learnt that you need to tell the breakfast was fine because you want the hostess to feel special and needed, its not a question how did the breakfast taste like.
Edited by Twilight1 on Tuesday 6th December 13:00
If you have interest, please read this great column in English from Helsinki Times.
Helsinki Times - No small talk please, we're Finnish.
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/expat-view/1653...
Helsinki Times - No small talk please, we're Finnish.
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/expat-view/1653...
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