Kimi Raikkonen contacts Renault for a 2011 seat
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86688
article said:
Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed that Raikkonen had approached the team - and is in contention for a seat alongside Robert Kubica in 2011.
"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.
Who saw that coming? "It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.
MSTRBKR said:
Who saw that coming?
Probably everyone, he's not happy, or at least not 'comfortable' in the WRC. He's a circuit racer, he was always going to come back at some point. The only reason he left in the first place was because Ferrari didn't want him any more and there weren't any other top line drives available.Racefan_uk said:
MSTRBKR said:
Who saw that coming?
Probably everyone, he's not happy, or at least not 'comfortable' in the WRC. He's a circuit racer, he was always going to come back at some point. The only reason he left in the first place was because Ferrari didn't want him any more and there weren't any other top line drives available.Unless Renault confirm they are buying back their stake, I can't see why the 'Renault' team would want to take on Raikkonen? It's a lot of cost and I doubt Kubica would be too happy- not to mention the Renault 'way' of the past few years has been to emulate Ferrari in having a lead and second driver.
Seeming there's nowhere upwards for Kubica to go, it's unlikely he's going to move so the concept of Raikkonen doesn't look viable at Renault.
Seeming there's nowhere upwards for Kubica to go, it's unlikely he's going to move so the concept of Raikkonen doesn't look viable at Renault.
10 Pence Short said:
Unless Renault confirm they are buying back their stake, I can't see why the 'Renault' team would want to take on Raikkonen? It's a lot of cost and I doubt Kubica would be too happy- not to mention the Renault 'way' of the past few years has been to emulate Ferrari in having a lead and second driver.
Seeming there's nowhere upwards for Kubica to go, it's unlikely he's going to move so the concept of Raikkonen doesn't look viable at Renault.
I dunno, if it's Raikonnen that has made the initial contact then it suggests money isn't the motivating factor (particularly after his Ferrari payoff).Seeming there's nowhere upwards for Kubica to go, it's unlikely he's going to move so the concept of Raikkonen doesn't look viable at Renault.
Kubica knows he's on the best seat he can get and Renault also know this, so they've got him over a barrel really. He's not at the level, yet, where he is able to dicate who he's paired with IMO.
The opportunity to have a fast Ex World Champ on board? That's a tempting prospect for Renault...
Would be good... and you can see Renault investing more back into the team with a former WDC on board once more...
Suppose Webber or Vettel wins this year, and assuming MSC stays, it would mean for 2011 we would have current / former WDCs:
Webber/Vettel
Button
Hamilton
Raikkonen
Alonso
Schumacher
With 20 races - would make for an epic season once more.
Suppose Webber or Vettel wins this year, and assuming MSC stays, it would mean for 2011 we would have current / former WDCs:
Webber/Vettel
Button
Hamilton
Raikkonen
Alonso
Schumacher
With 20 races - would make for an epic season once more.
10 Pence Short said:
Problem is, Petrov gives you Russian marketing. Raikkonen gives you Finnish marketing. Guess which market is bigger?
Yeah, true (although to counter that, Raikonnen already has the fan base). And the points about having a fast driver in Kubica..Is Raikonnen one of the ones that was going in and out of the Mercedes motorhome, as mentioned by EJ?
Edit- figuratively speaking, not literally.
Edited by DrTre on Tuesday 14th September 11:08
10 Pence Short said:
Problem is, Petrov gives you Russian marketing. Raikkonen gives you Finnish marketing. Guess which market is bigger?
Erm... rubbish 
Raikkonen had a huge global following and marketing use, just as Hakkinen did.
I don't deny Petrov gives you good Russian coverage, but marketing isn't dependent on their home country.
Let me see... marketing and sponsorship linked to a feisty, playboy former WDC or marketing linked to a mid-ranking Russian driver who is continually substantially beaten by his team mate?
The man can drive - http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/162689/1/rai...
Fingers crossed this deal comes off, 2012 could be cracking.
And a vid -
http://www.rallybuzz.com/kimi-raikkonen-ss19-germa...
Fingers crossed this deal comes off, 2012 could be cracking.
And a vid -
http://www.rallybuzz.com/kimi-raikkonen-ss19-germa...
Edited by superkartracer on Tuesday 14th September 11:16
Hmmm. An interesting one. I don't know if Raikkonen could bring enough dollars with him to warrant losing Petrov. Petrov is one of the top rookies this year, he isn't doing a bad job and he brings lots of money.
As a pairing, I don't think Raikkonen gives a s
t who his team mate is, Kubica has always seemed to be the same to me. It could work well.
I'll wait until there is something a bit more substantial to go on.
As a pairing, I don't think Raikkonen gives a s
t who his team mate is, Kubica has always seemed to be the same to me. It could work well.I'll wait until there is something a bit more substantial to go on.
plg said:
Erm... rubbish
I'm note sure that's 100% accurate. Take a look at the side of the Renaults and you'll see Lada - clearly Russian, but I also saw some large Snoras decals at Monza; they are a Lithuanian bank...but I accept also that Genie is "connected" too - I am pretty sure I also spotted an EFG logo on the side of one of the cars - Swiss private bank....What is beyond doubt is that Kubica brings no sponsors to the team and I doubt Raikkonen will either (Red Bull won't be sponsoring the team for obvious reasons)...so if Lopez does need funds, he might consider keeping Petrov.
rubystone said:
plg said:
Erm... rubbish
I'm note sure that's 100% accurate. Take a look at the side of the Renaults and you'll see Lada - clearly Russian, but I also saw some large Snoras decals at Monza; they are a Lithuanian bank...but I accept also that Genie is "connected" too - I am pretty sure I also spotted an EFG logo on the side of one of the cars - Swiss private bank....What is beyond doubt is that Kubica brings no sponsors to the team and I doubt Raikkonen will either (Red Bull won't be sponsoring the team for obvious reasons)...so if Lopez does need funds, he might consider keeping Petrov.
rubystone said:
I doubt Raikkonen will either (Red Bull won't be sponsoring the team for obvious reasons)
I really don't know about this, I think it could easily go either way. On the one hand giving them money might make them competitive with RB, but then I just don't see Renault challenging RB while Newey is designing the car. More advertising for RB and bigger prescence in the sport, more money for Renault to play with. That could be attractive to Dietrich Mateschitz.Edited by MSTRBKR on Tuesday 14th September 12:34
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