Renault takes Kovalainen
Discussion
Ferrari's deal with Raikkonen was done a LONG time ago. It's believed that Ferrari paid him $5million just to not re-sign with McLaren, or anyone else for that matter.
The only piece of the puzzle is Schumacher. Raikkonen won't play second fiddle in the race seat, and Massa probably won't want to go back testing for 2007. But I think it will end up as Raikkonen + Schumacher for 2007, with MS retiring at the end of next season. That will probably be the strongest driver pairing in a Ferrari since the days of Mansell and Prost.
The only piece of the puzzle is Schumacher. Raikkonen won't play second fiddle in the race seat, and Massa probably won't want to go back testing for 2007. But I think it will end up as Raikkonen + Schumacher for 2007, with MS retiring at the end of next season. That will probably be the strongest driver pairing in a Ferrari since the days of Mansell and Prost.
SamHH said:
Piquet replaces Kovalainen as test driver. I wonder if he might end up replacing Fisichella in '08. Is Piquet managed by Briatore?
There's a strange symmetry to that - Nelson's son gets his F1 break with pretty much the same team that he ended his career with. In between those two events Schumacher's F1 career took place...
GarrettMacD said:
That will probably be the strongest driver pairing in a Ferrari since the days of Mansell and Prost.
That will probably be the strongest line up for any team since the days of Mansell & Prost!
If it is true, which surely it must be (where else could Kimi go), then I look forward to Kimi and Schumacher in a Ferrari then Alonso in the Mclaren. Could be the tide turned in Ferrari's favour for another year because I don't see Kova & Fisi putting up a championship winning run for Renault.
The big question mark though is Schumacher. Would Ferrari think it a good thing or a bad thing to announce to the tifosi before an Italian GP that MS was staying or going? Would if fire up the crowd or
them off?
me toocj_eds said:
Could be the tide turned in Ferrari's favour for another year...?
Alternatively, that could benefit Alonso. Heretofore Schumacher has always benefitted because he never had a teammate who would take points away from him. Instead the teammate was required by contract to be Michael's serf and do his bidding, such as compromising pitstop strategy or holding back rivals rather than running his own race. With Kimi as teammate, for once he would be without a personal servant.
On the other hand, at McLaren there would be unmistakeably a number one and a number two. De la Rosa, for example, is as good a team man as there is in the paddock, and he's shown that he's not a bad racer either. Surely that would work to Alonso's favour.
I'd say that at the margin at least a Kimi/Schumacher pairing would benefit Alonso with respect to the Drivers' Championship, whilst it benefitted Ferrari for the Constructors'.
richb said:
And perhaps we'll finally see MS actually racing a team-mate?
Don't count on it - Mansell and Prost were supposed to get equal treatment, but Prost was a very shrewd political player and seemed to get the important people on his side.
On paper, Schumacher and Raikkonen will get equal treatment, but it will be hard not to give preferential treatment to the bloke who's won 5 WDC's in the red cars, versus the bloke who's not won any WDC's and isn't exactly renowned for his teamwork skills...
GarrettMacD said:
On paper, Schumacher and Raikkonen will get equal treatment, but it will be hard not to give preferential treatment to the bloke who's won 5 WDC's in the red cars, versus the bloke who's not won any WDC's and isn't exactly renowned for his teamwork skills...
Raikkonen doesn't have a PR friendly character but that's not to say he's not good at working with his team. Or do you have inside info?
GarrettMacD said:
richb said:
And perhaps we'll finally see MS actually racing a team-mate?
Don't count on it - Mansell and Prost were supposed to get equal treatment, but Prost was a very shrewd political player and seemed to get the important people on his side.
On paper, Schumacher and Raikkonen will get equal treatment, but it will be hard not to give preferential treatment to the bloke who's won 5 WDC's in the red cars, versus the bloke who's not won any WDC's and isn't exactly renowned for his teamwork skills...
yeah, i very much doubt ferrari will risk Schumi's swan song for kimi... he'll have to play second fiddle for a season to be guaranteed the big paycheck and 1st seat in the 08 season...
Apparently Bild reckon that Schuey's announcing his retirement. Thing is, with so many key changes for next season, plus the tyre situation, he's in a very strong position to win the '07 championship.
One thing's for certain, if he stays Ferrari won't need a test driver, both their race drivers will be fighting each other to cover the most distance over the winter
One thing's for certain, if he stays Ferrari won't need a test driver, both their race drivers will be fighting each other to cover the most distance over the winter
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