Formula One's annual and infamous 'silly season' is threatening to shift into a higher gear. While most players on motor sport's highest stage enjoyed a weekend off ahead of the American double-header, speculation about the future of drivers including Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen has continued to gather speed. Montoya, who has reportedly been told to pack his McLaren bags, was photographed in conversation with Honda's Nick Fry at Silverstone last weekend. It is also suggested that his management may have staged talks with Chip Ganassi about an emergency-return to the US, as well as with Renault, Red Bull and Toyota. The rumours about Finnish pair Raikkonen and Kovalainen, however, are even hotter. The respectively Spanish and Italian newspapers AS and Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Renault's Flavio Briatore is making an almost irresistible bid of up to $64 million to repel Raikkonen from the grips of McLaren and Ferrari for three years. AS, moreover, contends that the deal - allowing Kimi to also generate his own income through personal sponsors - is now done and could be announced formally at Magny Cours. Rumours surrounding the future of Kovalainen are equally sensational. If Raikkonen is heading to Renault, then Briatore will be looking to place his new protégé at a lesser team in 2007. Complementing speculation that Renault could supply engines to a second team in 2007, then, is the suggestion that Kovalainen is part-and-parcel of a deal with Red Bull. Source GMM CAPSIS International
Formula One's annual and infamous 'silly season' is threatening to shift into a higher gear. While most players on motor sport's highest stage enjoyed a weekend off ahead of the American double-header, speculation about the future of drivers including Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Raikkonen and Heikki Kovalainen has continued to gather speed. Montoya, who has reportedly been told to pack his McLaren bags, was photographed in conversation with Honda's Nick Fry at Silverstone last weekend. It is also suggested that his management may have staged talks with Chip Ganassi about an emergency-return to the US, as well as with Renault, Red Bull and Toyota. The rumours about Finnish pair Raikkonen and Kovalainen, however, are even hotter. The respectively Spanish and Italian newspapers AS and Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Renault's Flavio Briatore is making an almost irresistible bid of up to $64 million to repel Raikkonen from the grips of McLaren and Ferrari for three years. AS, moreover, contends that the deal - allowing Kimi to also generate his own income through personal sponsors - is now done and could be announced formally at Magny Cours. Rumours surrounding the future of Kovalainen are equally sensational. If Raikkonen is heading to Renault, then Briatore will be looking to place his new protégé at a lesser team in 2007. Complementing speculation that Renault could supply engines to a second team in 2007, then, is the suggestion that Kovalainen is part-and-parcel of a deal with Red Bull. Source GMM CAPSIS International
There's no way JPM will not get a seat in F1 next year. He's pretty much the 4th best driver right now. I think he'll go either to Toyota, BMW, Renault, or stick with McMerc.
If this were true, why wouldn't he have just offered Alonso a sweeter contract? Everyone says Fernando is leaving Renault because of money, and I would imagine that's the kind of number he was looking for.
Maybe because of the nature of the contracts involved: Kimi *might* just have a pre agreement with Ferrari, relatively easy to get out while Alonso has an iron clad contract with McLaren. The thing that bothers me about this is the 3 year part: Even if MS stays at Ferrari for 2007 who is going to drive for Ferrari in 08? Kovalainen?
I think you guys are too quick to jump on a drivers' bandwagon. A few years ago Sato was being called a driver with a great future after he was doing pretty well in the Jordan. A year or two later, Webber was the next Schumacher when he was able to do a reasonable job in a very un-reasonable Jaguar - but where is he now? Button was the great white hype for a year too, as were others. Nico seems to have done very well - but its been, what, 6 races or so? And we're already saying he's a future Ferrari driver. Based on what? Same with Kovalainen. Based on what? Beating MS in the WSOC race? Sure Heiki has some good test times, but often the drivers topping the test times are guys who haven't done well in races. Maybe they are testing a different package or a new tire. I am very excited to see how Kovalainen progresses and he could be very good, same with Nico, but they are both very much unknown quantities. They could also turn into Ralfs or Barrichello's.
True. For what it's worth: I've been right on Sato, Webber, Alonso and dead wrong on Button and Davidson. Note to myself: Recalibrate crystal ball. Time will tell whether I'm right on Nico and Kovalainen.
lol pretty true, the best is just wait and see i guess. but i;m quite sure, drivers like webber, for instance, can get the job done if given the proper equipment.
McLaren-Mercedes star Kimi Raikkonen has allegedly been offered a three-year contract by Renault worth 50 million Euros. According to reports by as.com, Renault boss, Flavio Briatore is eager for the Finn to join the regie in 2007, when Fernando Alonso will leave and go in the opposite direction. Although Renault confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella this week, adding that the Italian will form the 'backbone of their challenge next year', it is thought that Briatore is keen to sign the 'ice-man' and reckons he will be the perfect replacement for Alonso, who has consistently outperformed Fisi both this season and last. Furthermore, while it is thought that Ferrari could offer Raikkonen a similar pay-packet, if Michael Schumacher opts to continue to race, the Finn may be surplus to requirements. Indeed, Schumacher is used to having the undisputed attention of the team and may continue to demand 'number one' status. Some sources, meanwhile, reckon that Raikkonen may have already signed a deal with the regie and that it will be offically confirmed in July at Renault's home race, the French GP. Hmmm sounds like Flav is getting serious. I hope he signs with Renualt, with MS still at Ferrari it would be a huge mess if they got Kimi as well. I doubt that MS would ever go for equal driver status. Kimi would probably mop him up head to head in the same car.
It would be the best thing they could do at this point. KR seems to destroy cars, so the Renault's over the top reliability would be a good match with him.
I don't know about you guys, I've only been an F1 fan since 2000 season but this is the most intriguing/all bets have weight speculation since I've been following the sport. Kimi has the potential to land at 3 major teams next year, and all three seem to have very strong legs. Stay at McLaren (it pays off to stay at one team), Ferrari deal has been speculated forever, or this Renault deal seems like a very strong possibility. I just wish this was being announced this weekend and not having to wait until the French GP
kimi to renault? i doubt very much. taking into account the amount of $$$ he will generate annually at Ferrrai, plus, Ferrari is a much better destination in terms of securing personal sponsorships, etc. ok, if Kimi goes to renault, he will end up just like FA, leaving for most likely money being the reasons. but this month's F1 racing mag didn't rule out the renault move, with Mild seven departing, kimi could well bring in Nokia to the renault's sidepods.
IMO it's because Kimi is the better driver. Granted Alonso is a very gifted driver, he's also had a very reliable race car. Kimi has managed to stay in the points very consistantly and he has had a very unreliable car over the past few seasons. Put him in the seat of a Renault or a Ferrari, and I imagine he'll have that world champoinship. Alonso isn't just leaving due to the money, there have been countless reports that he and Flavio's relaitonship has gone south as well.
i doubt very much. i think, FA is a much more better driver than kimi. just my opinion tho. i mean, aside from last year's montreal incident, FA never made any other mistakes right up till now. he just gels with the team really well. it's not just because of fast cars, reliable cars, etc. it's all about teamwork in this sport to get the job done. perfection. thats the secret to renault success. really reminds me of MS and Ferrari over the years. and regarding the subject that it's money influencing FA's move, i think thats 100% the cause. i don't buy the fact of flav and FA's relationship was heading south. in this case, mac played their cards well, and they were looking for long term. if FA's relationship was getting sour with flav, he would have left renault long time ago. not announcing his departure to mac even 1 season earlier. rumours suggest, even kimi is earning more then FA. something to think about....
I'm not saying that FA isn't an incredible driver, he is. But, if you look at the reliability of the cars they have both been racing the past couple of years, I feel if Kimi would be in something that could stay running every weekend, he would be unstoppable. Flip-flop the two. I guarentee FA is nowhere near as successful when his car or motor is being replaced every other weekend.
