Raikkonen back to McLaren? Could it just be?

McLaren Rulez · 29th August 2009, 14:00

Aug.28 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen on Friday admitted for the first time the possibility he will leave Ferrari at the end of the season.

And interestingly, although his potential departure has been linked with a full-time switch to rallying, the 29-year-old Finn said no matter what happens, he is staying in formula one.

"If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," he is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "It's not a problem. Other teams want me."

His comments coincide with increasing speculation that Ferrari has now signed a binding contract with Fernando Alonso and needs to part with either of its existing contracted drivers for 2010: Raikkonen, or the recovering Felipe Massa.

It is believed an amicable split between Ferrari and Raikkonen is likely, but it will cost the Italian team millions as his engagement next year would have earned him in excess of $45m.

"I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract," he added.

Alonso's move would obviously create a gap at Renault, but arguably the better vacant seat is at McLaren, who are openly considering parting with Heikki Kovalainen.

It may have been a Freudian slip, but the BBC quoted team boss Martin Whitmarsh as saying at Valencia last weekend: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough."

Source: Formula 1 complete - all access F1 - Raikkonen: "Other teams want me"

Apologies for the silly formatting.

SilentEngine · 29th August 2009, 15:56

Interesting, how things change quickly in F1. After winning 2007 WDC, Raikkonen had said Ferrari would be his last team in F1. And now this. But how Lewis - Kimi equation in McLaren would work out?
I for one definitely want to see Kimi for a few more years in F1. If that means going to McLaren, so be it.

McLaren Rulez · 29th August 2009, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentEngine

Interesting, how things change quickly in F1. After winning 2007 WDC, Raikkonen had said Ferrari would be his last team in F1. And now this.

Good point but since Ferrari are the ones who are throwing him out, it makes sense there. I always loved it when Kimi drove for McLaren and I would be delighted to see him back in silver overalls.

pranavt · 29th August 2009, 16:28

GMM is trash, so I would wait for another source to report on this.

McLaren Rulez · 29th August 2009, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranavt

GMM is trash, so I would wait for another source to report on this.

Your wish is Autosport's command

autosport.com - F1 News: Raikkonen not worried about F1 future

McLaren Rulez · 31st August 2009, 20:47

Well he certainly isn't going to Renault. Can see why actually

Tomorrownewsf1.com Blog Archive F1 - Kimi Raikkonen refuse Renault pour 2010

Google Traduction

Article is French so the second link is the translation

GTO · 1st September 2009, 11:00

I doubt Mclaren will want Kimi back, especially in the Lewis scheme of things. Not to mention, they really weren't able to handle 2 top drivers in 2007 (Hami + Fonso).

Hasn't Kimi been speaking of a rally debut? His performance graph of late has been like a yoyo.

Dippy · 1st September 2009, 11:10

Is Sauber staying back as a team after BMW departs at the end of the season? If yes Peter Sauber just might take the man who he gave a break in F1. The question on Kimi's future will be decided at Monza. My line up for Ferrari in 2010 - Alonso and Massa.

Another twist. Would Brawn look to replace Rubens with Kimi?

suman · 1st September 2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Hasn't Kimi been speaking of a rally debut? His performance graph of late has been like a yoyo.

I belive he's made it clear that the future for him is in F1, not in WRC. That's what they were mentioning on the Star Sports commentary.

Since Massa's crash, I'm seeing Kimi performing consistently & ending on the podium despite third row starts. Pretty good I'd say.

leadf00t · 1st September 2009, 12:25

and whats this talk of Fisi being recruited by Ferrari. i was like

suman · 1st September 2009, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadf00t

and whats this talk of Fisi being recruited by Ferrari. i was like

Only for the remaining races since Badoer is intent on staying at the "other" end of the grid

Since Fisi doesn't have a contract for the next year, they were speculating on whether he could get out of FI & drive for Ferrari for the remaining races. Does anyone know if Ferrari actually told Fisi - "Stay behind Kimi if you want to drive a Ferrari"

nitrous · 1st September 2009, 15:17

What a nice musical chair!

Renault-Alonso -> Ferrari-Kimi -> Mclaren-Kovaleinen ->Renault!

McLaren Rulez · 1st September 2009, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

What a nice musical chair!

Renault-Alonso -> Ferrari-Kimi -> Mclaren-Kovaleinen ->Renault!

Oh and don't forget that German bloke who wants to get out of retirement

McLaren Rulez · 5th September 2009, 20:49

Tomorrownewsf1.com Blog Archive F1 - Raikkonen touchera 25M? pour partir de Ferrari

Italian Radio announced that Kimi will be parting ways with Ferrari after this season for a 25mil payout. Its not the first time we've heard this but this is a credible source (apparently) and is reporting that the deal has been finalised. Shouldn't be long before we see an official statement on it from Ferrari.

Translation here Google Traduction

McLaren Rulez · 20th September 2009, 14:28

F1 Times

I really really hope its true. I always thought the Kimi-Mclaren combo was one of the best ever.

29th August 2009, 14:00	#1
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Raikkonen back to McLaren? Could it just be? Aug.28 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen on Friday admitted for the first time the possibility he will leave Ferrari at the end of the season. And interestingly, although his potential departure has been linked with a full-time switch to rallying, the 29-year-old Finn said no matter what happens, he is staying in formula one. "If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," he is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "It's not a problem. Other teams want me." His comments coincide with increasing speculation that Ferrari has now signed a binding contract with Fernando Alonso and needs to part with either of its existing contracted drivers for 2010: Raikkonen, or the recovering Felipe Massa. It is believed an amicable split between Ferrari and Raikkonen is likely, but it will cost the Italian team millions as his engagement next year would have earned him in excess of $45m. "I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract," he added. Alonso's move would obviously create a gap at Renault, but arguably the better vacant seat is at McLaren, who are openly considering parting with Heikki Kovalainen. It may have been a Freudian slip, but the BBC quoted team boss Martin Whitmarsh as saying at Valencia last weekend: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough." Source: Formula 1 complete - all access F1 - Raikkonen: "Other teams want me" Apologies for the silly formatting. Last edited by McLaren Rulez : 29th August 2009 at 14:03.
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 15:56	#2
SilentEngine Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: KA19,KA04 Posts: 1,167 Thanked: 735 Times View My Garage	Interesting, how things change quickly in F1. After winning 2007 WDC, Raikkonen had said Ferrari would be his last team in F1. And now this. But how Lewis - Kimi equation in McLaren would work out? I for one definitely want to see Kimi for a few more years in F1. If that means going to McLaren, so be it.
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 16:28	#4
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 641 Times View My Garage	GMM is trash, so I would wait for another source to report on this.
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 20:47	#6
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Well he certainly isn't going to Renault. Can see why actually Tomorrownewsf1.com Blog Archive F1 - Kimi Raikkonen refuse Renault pour 2010 Google Traduction Article is French so the second link is the translation
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 11:00	#7
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,529 Thanked: 300,724 Times View My Garage	I doubt Mclaren will want Kimi back, especially in the Lewis scheme of things. Not to mention, they really weren't able to handle 2 top drivers in 2007 (Hami + Fonso). Hasn't Kimi been speaking of a rally debut? His performance graph of late has been like a yoyo.
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 11:10	#8
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,560 Thanked: 2,464 Times	Is Sauber staying back as a team after BMW departs at the end of the season? If yes Peter Sauber just might take the man who he gave a break in F1. The question on Kimi's future will be decided at Monza. My line up for Ferrari in 2010 - Alonso and Massa. Another twist. Would Brawn look to replace Rubens with Kimi?
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 12:25	#10
leadf00t BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MH04 Posts: 439 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	and whats this talk of Fisi being recruited by Ferrari. i was like
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 15:17	#12
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	What a nice musical chair! Renault-Alonso -> Ferrari-Kimi -> Mclaren-Kovaleinen ->Renault!
	() Thanks

5th September 2009, 20:49	#14
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Tomorrownewsf1.com Blog Archive F1 - Raikkonen touchera 25M? pour partir de Ferrari Italian Radio announced that Kimi will be parting ways with Ferrari after this season for a 25mil payout. Its not the first time we've heard this but this is a credible source (apparently) and is reporting that the deal has been finalised. Shouldn't be long before we see an official statement on it from Ferrari. Translation here Google Traduction
	() Thanks

20th September 2009, 14:28	#15
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	F1 Times I really really hope its true. I always thought the Kimi-Mclaren combo was one of the best ever.
	() Thanks