The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*

[MissChief]

ukaskew said:

Surprised by some of the Kimi comments here. Up and coming team with what I presume will be far less pressure and commercial commitments, less politics etc.

He's leaving a team where he has zero opportunity of seriously challenging for anything as he is a clear number 2, that's got to take its toll, probably far more than a relatively easy life at a midfield team which may well have a few exciting podium battles next season.

True, and with the support Ferrari are apparently putting into Sauber (Although this may dry up now their golden boy isn't there) Kimi may think he can be challenging for podiums and if he can get some Scandinavian firms involved in sponsorship the future for Sauber could be good indeed.

[Vaud]

ukaskew said:

Surprised by some of the Kimi comments here. Up and coming team with what I presume will be far less pressure and commercial commitments, less politics etc.

He's leaving a team where he has zero opportunity of seriously challenging for anything as he is a clear number 2, that's got to take its toll, probably far more than a relatively easy life at a midfield team which may well have a few exciting podium battles next season.

Yup, and i suspect the Sauber will be no slouch next year. It might even be the challenger to RB while they "settle in" with Honda.

With McLaren, Williams and arguably Force India all disrupted, I think Sauber could be the Haas challenger but with even more Ferrari "insight" and maybe the next recipient of the special fuel?

[Bright Halo]

Ferrari keeping Kimi in a holding position at Sauber in case Leclerc doesn't work out?

[Sam993]

Bright Halo said:

Ferrari keeping Kimi in a holding position at Sauber in case Leclerc doesn't work out?

Or Vettel.

[andburg]

Lots of options for the second seat at sauber, none of which make sense to me unless Kimi is being used as a mentor.

Ericsson - longbow on their way out and hes been outperformed consistently by teammates
Giovanzzi - Ferrari contract - not racing anywhere this year and didn't have a great record in lower formulas.
Fuoco - Ferrari Academy - 2nd year in F2, not in the title fight
Kvyat - Ferrari contract but linked to Toro Rosso drive

Perez - Deal signed but no anouncement
Grosjean - likely out of HAAS but not really shown hte mental maturity and consistency required

am i missing any other likely candidates? Money is unlikely to be a big a big steer but obviously would help.

[el romeral]

I think it is a good thing and exciting for next season. Would rather have Kimi giving 110%, albeit at a lesser team than playing a supporting role at Ferrari. I think with his skills and experience he could pull off a few shocks / good results. Most of all, glad he is not quitting just yet.
Love the idea af him returning to Ferrari one day, as number 1, following a full finger meltdown

[Sam993]

el romeral said:

Love the idea af him returning to Ferrari one day, as number 1, following a full finger meltdown

I'd pay good money to see that.

[Enricogto]

housen said:

i keep saying it about hamilton and ferrari

the fact that the italian fans booed mario balotelli (not because hes a bad player) at a football match will tell you exactly why hamilton will never go or be wanted

I think i already explained that the reason is in a way the same, but not the one you're thinking of. Balotelli was booed (and is today criticised) for his unprofessionalism, the fact he believes he's one of the best players in the world but this is not supported by his performance and his antics outside the pitch. In a similar way, some of Hamilton's comments and behaviours are not appreciated by the Ferrari supporting base. That said people could probably overcome this if he started to bring championships to the team but, I for one, as a since-born Ferrari fan I wouldn't want him at the Scuderia.

[another 3 points]

andburg said:

Lots of options for the second seat at sauber, none of which make sense to me unless Kimi is being used as a mentor.

Ericsson - longbow on their way out and hes been outperformed consistently by teammates
Giovanzzi - Ferrari contract - not racing anywhere this year and didn't have a great record in lower formulas.
Fuoco - Ferrari Academy - 2nd year in F2, not in the title fight
Kvyat - Ferrari contract but linked to Toro Rosso drive

Perez - Deal signed but no anouncement
Grosjean - likely out of HAAS but not really shown hte mental maturity and consistency required

am i missing any other likely candidates? Money is unlikely to be a big a big steer but obviously would help.

You left off Maldonado and his gazillion zillion zillion Venezuelan Bolivars.

[thebigmacmoomin]

FourWheelDrift said:

Vettel was booed by the tifosi when he won for Red Bull at Monza in 2013.

they boo anybody that wins at Monza and isn't in a red car.

[TWPC]

another 3 points said:

Hope he drives the Pirellis off the car on Sunday, no holds barred, no team orders. I’ve a feeling Singapore is going to be even hotter than the weather man say.

Indeed.
And with seven races to go, the rest of the season at Ferrari could be ... very interesting.

[thebigmacmoomin]

Andy S15 said:

Kimi has just announced a 2 year drive at Sauber too!

This was a big surprise, I expected him to retire.

[FourWheelDrift]

On Kimi Raikonnen's move, has anyone else in the history of Formula One ever driven for Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Alfa Romeo? I know the Lotus and Alfa ones are name only but that's quite an impressive list to have on a drivers CV.

[HTP99]

Sam993 said:

Bright Halo said:

Ferrari keeping Kimi in a holding position at Sauber in case Leclerc doesn't work out?

Or Vettel.

That was my thinking.

[thegreenhell]

FourWheelDrift said:

On Kimi Raikonnen's move, has anyone else in the history of Formula One ever driven for Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Alfa Romeo? I know the Lotus and Alfa ones are name only but that's quite an impressive list to have on a drivers CV.

Mario Andretti drove for Ferrari, Alfa Romeo (when they were a proper works team), Lotus and Williams.
Fangio drove for Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Mercedes, and was World Champion in all of them.

[Krikkit]

another 3 points said:

andburg said:

Lots of options for the second seat at sauber, none of which make sense to me unless Kimi is being used as a mentor.

Ericsson - longbow on their way out and hes been outperformed consistently by teammates
Giovanzzi - Ferrari contract - not racing anywhere this year and didn't have a great record in lower formulas.
Fuoco - Ferrari Academy - 2nd year in F2, not in the title fight
Kvyat - Ferrari contract but linked to Toro Rosso drive

Perez - Deal signed but no anouncement
Grosjean - likely out of HAAS but not really shown hte mental maturity and consistency required

am i missing any other likely candidates? Money is unlikely to be a big a big steer but obviously would help.

You left off Maldonado and his gazillion zillion zillion Venezuelan Bolivars.

I thought Maldonado was now not so much a golden boy thanks to the lack of PDVSA money? That was originally his way in, and it's since dried up...

[Vaud]

Krikkit said:

I thought Maldonado was now not so much a golden boy thanks to the lack of PDVSA money? That was originally his way in, and it's since dried up...

It's only a gazillion zillion since the currency was devalued.

[sparta6]

Bradgate said:

Perhaps Sauber / Ferrari have made him a financial offer he can't refuse?

And perhaps his wife is super high maintenance ?

[Deesee]

another 3 points said:

Will Leclerc be allowed to beat Vettel ?

Yep, Leclerc manager is the son of the chief at the fia and Ferrari royalty.

“Seb, Charles is quicker than you”.

[Deesee]

sparta6 said:

Bradgate said:

Perhaps Sauber / Ferrari have made him a financial offer he can't refuse?

And perhaps his wife is super high maintenance ?

1st one defo, 2nd one 2x deffo.