As if Silly season couldn't get any sillier...KIMI TO SAUBER!!

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills...


Is he taking Ericssons seat?

 

Damn!!!

Well... good luck and thanks for everything, Kimi!!!

 

Dafuk?

 

Bet there's a swap clause where if Leclerc doesnt perform he gets the seat back. Seems odd to keep him in the family otherwise and him choose not to retire.

 

Logistically it makes sense as he lives in Zurich and Sauber is in Hinwil, 20 minutes away, (the only team not to be in Britain or Italy) so he will be able to contribute a lot at the factory. I think he and Vasseur will get along just fine. I hope Marcus gets to keep his seat he has driven much better this year sometimes as fast as Leclerc.

 

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I think Kimi will still get his large salary at Sauber. This is more Ferrari's way to placate Kimi, while still having him support Seb in his quest for WDC.

 

Pretty safe move, hopefully Leclerc will actually support Vettel in the same way Bottas supports Elton....

 

Four weeks ago TheMayor proposed this but surely then it was a joke !!

 

Sauber F1 Team‏Verified account @SauberF1Team 24m24 minutes ago




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We're delighted to announce that #kimi7 will be joining us for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Read all about it here: https://www.sauberf1team.com/news/kimi-raikkonen-to-race-for-the-alfa-romeo-sauber-f1-team-from-2019-2 … #F1 #alfaromeosauberf1team @F1pic.twitter.com/7ho5c7EcRj

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LOL! Yes very silly but thats how 'support' teams for the top 3 will work possibly in the future.

 

Next season should be interesting!

Merc - Ham and Bottas
Ferrari - Seb
Red Bull - Max
Renault - Ricci
Sauber - Kimi

 

Kimi at Red Bull Sauber-Petronas during 2001.


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This is kind of exciting. Next season will be a season to watch with a lot of wild cards.

 

I will stick my neck out and predict Leclerc WDC 2019 (or a very good run to same like Jacques Villeneuve his first year with Williams) and Seb throwing his toys out of the pram repeatedly. If Ricciardo can upset Vettel with his pace I am sure Charles can do so even more. Early this year I was not convinced at all but now I am, very much so.

Best of luck to Kimi who has become much more gregarious since he has a family.

 

I share your analysis up to a certain point. I don't see Leclerc as WDC 2019 (he will probably make some mistakes due to his young age), but I definitely see him make Seb's life (very) difficult. Seb will get frustrated by this young and hungry "intruder" and start throwing his toys out of the pram.

Re Kimi: my first reaction was one of sadness, but now I think the Sauber solution is the best we could get. Kimi is still in F1, and not too far away from the Scuderia...

 

In any case 2019 will be most exciting!

 

Interesting the way this has swung back and forth on the passing of Marchionne who was
firmly in the LeClerc camp.

The new management in Maranello looks more willing to take a chance on young talent rather
than tried and true.

Per Marc's analysis, yes it will be interesting to see how Vettel works with LeClerc. At first it
will be all sweetness and light but once LeClerc settles into the team and finds his pace, he
may well be a threat to Vettel.

Of course, a lot will depend on how the contracts read.

BHW

 

Hi Barton,

Yes I hope someone asks Leclerc in the Singapore press conferences whether he signed as number 2 or has equal rights determined by pace.

 

+1 given the Ferrari management. A distinct possibility

 

I would not be surprised to witness this kind of standup comedy next year @Scuderia Ferrari...

 

This is a great disappointment to me, I would rather see Kimi retire than go to Sauber. His motivation waned from time to time while driving a front line car. I can't see him staying in the game competing for top ten finishes. Two seasons at Sauber? I don't think so.