KIMI

Driving is not the only part of Kimi’s job. Most in this forum like to conveniently pretend driving fast is the only thing expected of him when they complain about him. He was faster than Seb serval times over this and last season. He was robbed of a Monaco win last year. Driving is only one of many parts of his job and though a couple other drivers could possibly be as fast or faster, they cannot do the rest of his job. They could not stomach the team supporting actions Kimi does without hesitancy or question for the team that are often quite self sacrificing to his race, psychology, and emotion.

 

Debatable. I don't think Kimi is there just to collect a cheque.

As for them out driving Kimi...based on what really? This forum is always the expert. It wasn't very long ago you lot where begging for Grosjean to be put in the Ferrari, lol.

 

Exactly this.

 

Right. Not too long ago it was Giovinazzi and now it is Leclerc. Piloto du jour . . . . . .

 

I forgot about the Gio faze! 1 (admittedly great giving the circumstances) quali session and he was ripe for the Ferrari seat!

 

What team supporting actions are you referring to? Posing for pictures with sponsors...doing appearances for FCA...doing You Tube videos for Maserati? Kimi could retire and still do those. And then Ferrari could put a faster driver in the race car.

 

The dawn will take you all.

 

Kimi out next year... Leclerc in

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/136898/ferrari-ready-to-replace-raikkonen-with-leclerc?utm_source=Autosport+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cf8a9e080f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_22_03_42&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_37b525b20e-cf8a9e080f-36610667

 

This would be good. I predict fewer podiums for Bottas,

 

What, nobody thought about Kvyat who was waiting patiently for his turn ?

I suppose is career is over now.

 

I am wondering if Bottas's job won't be under threat at the end of this year.

 

I fear that LeClerc’s career is over if he makes the move.

 

I'll believe it when I see it.....Kimi will drive for Ferrari in 2019

 

In truth, what else could Leclerc do if he is offered a seat at Ferrari?

It's not often that someone is invited at the Scuderia.

I only hope he can make it work.

 

Why? Vettel has 2 more years and he's done.

This is a great time to be a Ferrari driver.

 

No. Kimi will not be in F1 in 2019. He's done

 

I had high hopes for Kimi at the beginning of the season but those hopes have faded--perhaps because he knows his team will never permit him to outperform Vettel. Kimi has lost his mojo.

 

Personally, I say Kimi for one more year and move Leclerc up to Haas (don't they have at least one opening at the end of the year). Give Leclerc another year to refine things and Kimi really hasn't had a bad year; not great certainly but he has had some pretty good moments and some bad luck.

 

If Haas was smart they would get Alexander Rossi in Grosjean's seat.

But they aren't so there's no sense talking about it...

 

Bear in mind autosport/motorsport not even a month ago claimed that Ferrari was ready to extend Kimi's contract.

It's all speculation. Kimi is a very popular driver, so it obviously generates loads of hits...

They claimed both things now, so they'll likely be right on 1 thing!

 

A month is a long time. Lots of things can happen to change people's minds. And maybe they are putting pressure on Ricciardo to make a decision.

You now have RB, Ferrari and McLaren trying to get him. By floating Leclerc as ready might spur him to agree.

IMO, the chances that either Alonso or Kimi will be in an F1 car next year is less than 5%

 

From a team perspective, Ferrari has to bring a new talent in, and nurture him for the future.
No doubt Kimi is still OK, but he is now 38, the oldest driver on the grid. and near the end of his career.
Ferrari cannot afford to keep much longer the "de facto" Number 2 who is 8 years older than their Number One.

BTW, this is an opinion, and not a hate post.

 

Rossi ? Really ?

Haas would be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

Rossi never gelled in F1, from my recollection.


OMG, this will be seen as a hate post ….

 

And Grosjean????? LOL!!

If Haas put in an American driver it would be a huge marketing advantage for them. I refuse to believe Rossi would be a worse team member of Haas than Grosjean.

 

That's when they'll sign Ricci and re-sign LeClerc as #2. I truly hope that I'm wrong... history suggests otherwise. Once a bridesmaid, always a number two driver...or something like that.