Not Massa, but Frank Williams daughter who now runs the team. Oh and the Mercedes engine helped. Pete
Kimi Raikkonen is one is those drivers that is unbeatable when the car is right for him. When he has to drive around issues in the car or the behaviour of the car doesn't suit him, he struggles disproportionately. When he's comfortable, he's just awesome. Alonso seems to be one of the rare few that can drive anything very well. But even he can't make this car win races... All the best, Andrew.
The problem is Andrew a race car usually has a problem, or develops a problem during a race, ie. tyre issues, etc.. IMO Kimi needs to "harden up princess" and learn how to find speed within him and stop relying on the car. Nuvolari, Fangio, Moss, Stewart, Lauda, Prost, Alonso and MS all could do it and he is being paid enough money to keep some companies a float ... he needs to do it! Pete
In the last race, his brakes were overheating on lap 2, they left him out on his first stint so long that he was pit-passed by several cars, and at some point during the race Ferrari turned his power down - though he still finished in the points in a failing car that isn't a race-winner even in full working order. It's difficult to see how he might have improved in Austria. All the best, Andrew.
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve says Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen makes too many mistakes and is wrong to blame the car for his poor season. From OmniCorse (in Italian) Via BBC F1 - BBC Sport - Formula 1 gossip and rumours from international media
Ah JV. The man who had a STELLAR F1 career from 1998 to 2006, and only just became WDC in by FAR the best car of the grid. Also known for his well known insights respected by everyone. Oh wait.
I don't think it's so much a problem of Kimi "sucking" as it is just a case of Alonso completely outclassing yet another teammate in a crappy car. I never thought Kimi would give Alonso any more trouble than Massa did.
NeuroBeaker is correct about Kimi being brilliant when all the planets align. But if any aspect of the equation is not to his liking - understeer, fast team mate, team owner won't let him drive a rally car, steering isn't perfect (this one I understand), someone p***ed him off during Friday practice - then he becomes disinterested. Yes he's almost always entertaining, and I'm glad he's back in F1, but worth the money Ferrari is paying him? Not as of yet.
Probably the best evaluation of the situation that I've seen yet Kimi Raikkonen hurt by perfect storm during 2014 F1 season - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com I would never underestimate Räikkönen. That's my two cents. I like Felipe, but he's never been on the same tier, not even close.
No driver can have a serious effect on car development under the current testing limits. (Soon to get even more restrictive) The idea that this is "Alonso's team" is a fantasy. He's carried pig after pig on his back with no meaningful support from the factory.
exactly. The story has two sides. Kimi's lack of points is to a degree down to circumstances beyond his control, but the fact that he can't get the car to work, is no excuse. Not at this level. Kimi is supposed to be at the top of this game and if he truly was, he would have figured the car out by now. And if he can't or if he needs a car that is exactly to his liking before he can produce results, he is simply not at the top of this game. And that is exactly the case. Kimi is extremely overrated and loved by the public for all the wrong reasons. Hiring him was a costly mistake.
LOL. Räikkönen maynot able to adapt as well as Fernando, but claiming he is extremely overrated is an extreme over simplification. Whether Ferrari is Alonso's team is somewhat beside the question. Fernando has demonstrated an ability to adapt his driving style better than anyone on the grid. Given the struggles with this car, it should be no surprise to anyone that Alonso has dominated. That said, Räikkönen has been close and sometimes quicker than Alonso . . . Barcelona, for example, where he outpaced him in every session. Yes, Alonso beat him to the flag but that was arguably due to preferential strategy from the team. No matter. The point is that if Räikkönen was as you describe, there would be no way he would ever be close. I personally think Kimi is frustrated because he just can't put his foot down. He's not enjoying this car, which is down on power and can not go flat out the entire race distance. Does that reveal a weakness? I'd agree he's never been the most rounded driver . . . but when he is quick, it might be educational to get Alonso's take on him.
You can blame Alonso or Kimi. The fact that the rules make the whole situation stagnant is depressing. No tests, engine freeze, etc. Basically, after the first 3 races of the season, you more less know who has the fastest car out there. Drivers input have almost nothing in todays situation. Fuel flow crap, crap tyres, crap engines, they just can't drive the wheels off the bloody thing. Blame the rules, not the drivers.
I agree. Banning testing ended an era. Schumacher always won championships based on relentless testing. All the best, Andrew.
^^ This. Ferrari sucks right now. Kimi is a world champion driving a car made for Alonso. Kimi is fast. He is not the best racer, but he holds the record for most fastest laps in a season (10) and he did that twice (2003 and 2005). He has the lap record on 4 of the tracks on the calendar. Alonso has zero. Kimi does not suck, he is being beaten right now. If we use this "Kimi sucks" logic then Alonso sucks because he, a two time world champion, was beaten in 2007 by a rookie (Hamilton).
Massa faced the same. Same car and driver 'made for Alonso'. IN fact Kimi sucks worse than Massa LOL. Massa was not in anyway less than Kimi when they were both in a Ferrari. In fact he was better. Kimi sucks. Thats pretty much the story right now. He is severely over rated. Needy and unable to drive a car less than perfect. In fact Id take JB over Kimi anyday. There is an edge to driving JB has that Kimi doesnt. He is hardly adaptable. Massa has clearly adapted to the Turbo era now better than Kimi. I wont miss Kimi again when he is paid to leave. Thanks LdM another bad decision. Add the weak car and Kimi is totally exposed as to what he is capable of. He sucks. I love this thread. LdM you are my hero lol!
I've said it before and I'll say it again: This seasons cars suit some drivers more than others! Where's the: VETTEL SUCKS thread? Where's the: BUTTON SUCKS thread? They're struggling as much as Kimi is! As for the car, if you remove Mercedes from the equation, is the 2014 Ferrari that much worse than the McLaren?, the Red Bull?, the Force India?, the Renault? etc., etc.? I appreciate that it might not be the easiest car to drive fast (as demonstrated by Kimi [let's be totally honest here: He can drive! all this talk making out that he's somehow lost the ability to drive is complete b:censored:ks!] ). I appreciate that it's not the best car on the circuit (obviously!), but if it was that bad, even Alonso wouldn't be able to get anything out of it!
