The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Flooble said:
Anyone else think this may be a way to control Raikkonen for the rest of the season?
Getting rid of him completely (unlikely to be able to keep it a secret till the end of the season, especially if Leclerc had to be contracted) would result in seven races where he had nothing to lose - potentially destroying Vettel's championship chances.
This way, if the deal is brokered or funded by Ferrari, Rakkonen has an incentive to play ball with Ferrari team orders, to preserve his contract for the next two years.
Nope. Kimi is a good guy - not the type to piss in the coffee machine on his last day at work. He knows that Ferrari pay his wages and what it would mean for them to win the championship.Getting rid of him completely (unlikely to be able to keep it a secret till the end of the season, especially if Leclerc had to be contracted) would result in seven races where he had nothing to lose - potentially destroying Vettel's championship chances.
This way, if the deal is brokered or funded by Ferrari, Rakkonen has an incentive to play ball with Ferrari team orders, to preserve his contract for the next two years.
t about that.Kimi is great friends and does epic work for Marlboro, not promoting smoking, who 'own' the Ferrari sponsorship contract until 2021and re sell it for Ferrari. Marlboro (PMI) dont want to lose him as a band ambassador and have struck a deal to keep him in the sport and use him as and when for PR events and appearances. Makes great sense and I am sure helps out Sauber with finances as a Ferrari number 2 team. His salary is picked up by PMI and has been for over a decade.
ProCo2020 said:
How long does Kimi's contract have to run at Ferrari? Does it really expire the end of this season or is it cheaper to put him in the next Ferrari B team than pay him off?
I think he has been on a yearly contract for a couple of years now. Heres hoping he is quick in the Sauber.
hairyben said:
Seems odd to me too that Kimi is willing to slum it back in cattle class with the rest after years at the top, even though I'm not his biggest supporter it seems beneath him, plus it'll sadden and annoy me if once the music stops its someone like Ocon left without a seat.
Seems odd to me as well, but Kimi obviously seems to accept that. And given the recent Sauber performances he may be thinking he may actually get to drive a decently competitive car without getting told to let his team-mate past!Agree about Ocon too, but given he is on the Mercedes driver programme surely Force India (or whatever they are called this week) or Williams might be able to find him a seat - assuming they want a supply of engines!
Flooble said:
This way, if the deal is brokered or funded by Ferrari, Rakkonen has an incentive to play ball with Ferrari team orders, to preserve his contract for the next two years.
I assume you watched Monza? Kimi could easily have "misjudged" an overtake on Lewis, a few times, and caused a crash. He did not. He, like Lewis, is not one for the dirty tricks etc
Jasandjules said:
Flooble said:
This way, if the deal is brokered or funded by Ferrari, Rakkonen has an incentive to play ball with Ferrari team orders, to preserve his contract for the next two years.
I assume you watched Monza? Kimi could easily have "misjudged" an overtake on Lewis, a few times, and caused a crash. He did not. He, like Lewis, is not one for the dirty tricks etc
It seemed clear to me that Kimi was always going for the win (especially with Vettel's unhappiness on Saturday). Had that been Irvine/Massa during the Schumacher/Alonso era I can't help but consider the Ferrari No. 2 driver would have been under no illusion that at some point they'd be moving over. Which would have meant no need for Vettel's desperate dan moves at the start, even had he dropped to third the No. 2 Ferrari would have played the "Bottas" role holding up Hamilton until Vettel could overtake. Whereas it looked to me that Kimi was running his own race.
Flooble said:
Jasandjules said:
Flooble said:
This way, if the deal is brokered or funded by Ferrari, Rakkonen has an incentive to play ball with Ferrari team orders, to preserve his contract for the next two years.
I assume you watched Monza? Kimi could easily have "misjudged" an overtake on Lewis, a few times, and caused a crash. He did not. He, like Lewis, is not one for the dirty tricks etc
It seemed clear to me that Kimi was always going for the win (especially with Vettel's unhappiness on Saturday). Had that been Irvine/Massa during the Schumacher/Alonso era I can't help but consider the Ferrari No. 2 driver would have been under no illusion that at some point they'd be moving over. Which would have meant no need for Vettel's desperate dan moves at the start, even had he dropped to third the No. 2 Ferrari would have played the "Bottas" role holding up Hamilton until Vettel could overtake. Whereas it looked to me that Kimi was running his own race.
This is why Vettel said “it’s clear I’m now racing three cars”. A bizarre comment most thought, given the fact, he should not fear racing his own teammate... but it makes a little more sense now.
The Italian media have certainly aired their views on Vettel. It seems they’ve already moved on and his star is fading, with Leclerc the new wonder kid. Of course, if Vettel wins the championship; that’ll change in an instant.
LDN said:
Indeed. They say Kimi was told before the race, of the team not renewing / and so cant help but feel he will now be racing for himself a little moreso than for the team. I’m sure he will still aid Vettel if the circumstances are right; but now he’s leaving, why not go out with some nice finishes and performances.
This is why Vettel said “it’s clear I’m now racing three cars”. A bizarre comment most thought, given the fact, he should not fear racing his own teammate... but it makes a little more sense now.
Indeed. This is why Vettel said “it’s clear I’m now racing three cars”. A bizarre comment most thought, given the fact, he should not fear racing his own teammate... but it makes a little more sense now.
I've often quipped when Kimi shows his flashes of brilliance that he's driving in "contract negotiation" mode. But perhaps the reality is closer to Kimi being off the leash. Perhaps we'll see what he's really made of for the remainder of the season, and at Sauber. I hope so.
When Kimi is in a car he likes, and is on it, he is still brilliant. But when not, he can be very lacklustre, almost as if he can't be bothered. I hope we'll see more of the former and less of the latter from now on.
Clockwork Cupcake said:
Indeed.
I've often quipped when Kimi shows his flashes of brilliance that he's driving in "contract negotiation" mode. But perhaps the reality is closer to Kimi being off the leash. Perhaps we'll see what he's really made of for the remainder of the season, and at Sauber. I hope so.
When Kimi is in a car he likes, and is on it, he is still brilliant. But when not, he can be very lacklustre, almost as if he can't be bothered. I hope we'll see more of the former and less of the latter from now on.
Definitely. There’s two Kimi’s and we seem to be witnessing the ‘fire lit under his arse’ version at the moment I've often quipped when Kimi shows his flashes of brilliance that he's driving in "contract negotiation" mode. But perhaps the reality is closer to Kimi being off the leash. Perhaps we'll see what he's really made of for the remainder of the season, and at Sauber. I hope so.
When Kimi is in a car he likes, and is on it, he is still brilliant. But when not, he can be very lacklustre, almost as if he can't be bothered. I hope we'll see more of the former and less of the latter from now on.
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