i don't think anyone will get ms salary...but think about it. ferrari without doubt is the greatest and the most glamorous team in F1. many things can be achieved there. this includes getting personal sponsors, driving home a ferrari, etc. what do u think he's gonna get or achieve at toyota?
Hmm, a few comments: - $$$ talks, yes. But a guy like Kimi already has plenty of it. I think his moves are more towards becoming WC and/or driving the myth of Ferrari. - Toyota out in 2008? Would surprise me. So far they have stayed in every racing series until they dominated it. I expect nothing less from them in F1. - I don't think Kimi is bothered by any of the other drivers. He already dominates JPM, so that guy is no longer a factor and I think he has no issue with Alonso or MS as teammates. They might have an issue with him (Alonso probably not since he already signed with McLaren). Looking at my crystal ball I see Renault leaving, Toyota staying, but doing poorly, Mercedes engines blowing up and Ferrari racing for the 2006 title. Kimi wants to become WC, ergo he signs for the Scuderia.
oh, and i forgot to add....it's every driver's dream on the grid to drive for the scuderia....don't believe me? just ask fisi
I would agree with everything except Toyota staying and Kimi automatically going to Ferrari. No matter how much $$$ Kimi has, he is young, and a few more $$$ won't hurt especially if he is not given the option to go to Ferrari. Toyota left the IRL, they will leave F1 if not winning and focus on where they can sell Camrys: NASCAR
Think global, not just the US. NASCAR wins don't sell any Camrys and Celicas in Europe, South America or Asia; F1 does that. Toyota soon will be the world's biggest car manufacturer. The F1 budget is a rounding error on their general ledger.
I am thinking global. Losing in F1 year after year will not sell cars anywhere. Toyota is not in racing for the fun of it, there is a national pride and the competition with Honda. If they don't start winning in 2006, 2007 will be their last year in F1. No matter how much they can afford to stay, losing is not an option for corporate pride, especially if Honda starts to win. NASCAR is gaining popularity even in Europe, especially England. They do have decent viewership numbers of the world wide live broadcasts outside of military bases. Nevertheless, if NASCAR is a relative success for Toyota in the US market, then why not the BTCC or its European sedan racing equivilents? Too many other venues in which Toyota can win that will actually sell cars than to continue to support a losing F1 team.
