I told you so :)
Most of us speculated that Kimi and Allison moved to Ferrari because like most people they actually like to get paid for their efforts. Imagine busting your ass, not getting paid and then getting screamed at? Kudos to Kimi for staying calm through all this-his moniker fits perfectly. That said I hope he wins all the remaining races so the team can get their constructors ' $ and MAYBE Kimi can finally get paid.
Just read this quote on espnf1: "There are discussions between Gerard and Kimi and it obviously involves our parent company and shareholders," he said. "Kimi has some emotions, yes. He's not an Iceman like we all believe he is. He's a normal guy." Low blow.
The press is riding what is basically an old story for what its worth now that the championship is sown up and there isn't much else to write about.
Kimi has now said publicly that he "hasn't been paid a single Euro this year" Kimi Raikkonen confirms he considered boycotting Abu Dhabi GP over Lotus dispute | Sky Sports SOMEONE's Lying....and that's a BOLD lie for Kimi to be making if it's not true... Youtube version for those who can't see the above link: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZPtwGsfKqg]Sky Sports F1 2013 - 17 Abu Dhabi GP - Kimi persuaded to race by Lotus - YouTube[/ame]
so lotus is travelling around the world with a credit card seriously over due? hotels arent getting paid? restaurants, bars, etc? wonder if the team principals are being paid? no one on the team has a home mortagage to pay?
Excuse me. Are you saying that these are the terms of the contract between KIMI and LOTUS? If so why didn't Lotus just say that they intend to pay Kimi by the end of the season as the contract stipulates. If you don't know what the contract says, let us know. But even with a well written contract, things can become a mess.
Alonso isn't the problem. Alonso isn't the answer either. Kimi + Alonso may not be the answer either. Hasn't the problem been the car? IMO Ferrari should hire some of the aero & chassis talent away from Red Bull.
I seriously doubt kimi is acting without a lawyer on this. His manager will run that stuff behind the scenes. He's got the Robertsons' behind him as managers, those guys are incredibly intelligent/shrewd. I don't think he'd risk his cash that Lotus owes him by going back on his contract unless they knew what they're doing. He can make it much, much worse for them. If they don't pay him by start of testing or the actual racing season, he can lay claim on Team Lotus and the first thing they'd lay claim on is the E22. If Lotus doesn't race sponsors will sue them and it's the end of Lotus. As I said...Kimi as them firmly by the balls.
Apparently Ferrari have now also advised Kimi to sit out the remaining races and join them early at the factory unless he gets paid. Although no real surprise that as Ferrari is on the cusp of falling to 4th .
apparently, one of the issues is that lotus contracted with kimi at 50k euros per wc point the team gained....so far they have 285 points, so they owe him more than 14 million euros, and the season isnt over. so it is conceivable they will owe him about 15 million euros... and they may not have it.
Here is a TS-article on the subject - it's clear that Kimi would had raced without telling about unpaid salaries had they not accused him of being a bad team player after India:
I can't believe no one has made the office space reference here. Poor Kimi I bet they even took his red swingline stapeler.
Joe Saward is now reporting the new funds deal has completed and Autosport says Robertson and Genii have spent two days agreeing that if the check clears beforehand Kimi will appear at Austin Jackie Stewart was quoted earlier in the weekend as saying at least three teams have not paid their drivers this year.....
Mansoor Ijaz, chairman of a consortium of private investors buying a 35 percent stake in the team, told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that talks with the 2007 world champion's manager had prevented a potential walkout. "We intend to not only make sure that they (the unpaid wages) are made whole, and then some, we are intending to also compensate our employees and management team. "I am confident that he (Raikkonen) will run the last two races and fulfil his professional obligations to us and us to him," added the U.S.-based businessman. Raikkonen, who retired after a first lap collision in Abu Dhabi, made headlines before the race when he turned up a day late and told reporters he had considered not competing because of unpaid wages and other issues. Formula 1 - Lotus investors say Raikkonen row resolved - Yahoo Eurosport UK Joe
Wrong.... It was known in India he wouldn't show up "early". [Not aimed at you of course, but "dodgy" reporting again IMO. ] Now, his "I haven't been paid $ one" comment, that's a different tale. Also reads like the guys (and gals) need paying too! Hopefully his word is good. Cheers, Ian
