Hopefully Renault can get some ice cream manufacturer as a sponsor. Otherwise, it'll be expensive How many WDCs do we have on the grid now? Vettel 2x Button 1x Hamilton 1x Kimi 1x Alonso 2x Schumi 7x So every champion of the last 12 years will be there next season. Good times for F1 (Edit: Can anyone convince Häkkinnen to return, too? )
Heikki is now in the rumor mill but here is how he see's it at Renault. Heikki Kovalainen says he is committed to Team Lotus despite speculation that he could join fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen at Renault next season. "I am already signed for next year and to be honest it would need to be a really top seat before I would even mention it to [team owner] Tony [Fernandes]. Somewhere in the middle, I would not want to look at that." Sure they could make a miracle car from 1 year to the next but lets think about this. They need to find what about 1.5sec per lap in a year or less, just this winter. Maybe in 2013. Kimi will have fun but I dont expect to see him on the podium unless its a mixed weather race and they get a break.
Both Renaults have been on the podium earlier this year, yes they did slip back bit if they can develop the car at the same rate as the teams in front, I see no reason why they couldn't do it a copule more times.
Does this mean Lotus is giving up on Kubica? I said when he was injured that he would never turn another competitive lap in F1, now nearly a year later I wonder if that will turn out to be the case...
Sebastian Vettel says it will be difficult for 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen to return to Formula 1 at the same level he was at when he quit at the end of 2009. The double world champion, commenting on his friend Raikkonen's subdued public personality, added he was "quiet, not always, but most of the time." Full story: 20minutesfr (in French)
This is how I see it. I do not see L/R really wanting two top level drivers (assuming either one still know how to drive the wheels off the car). Bringing Kimi in, at least to me, clearly states they are not waiting around for Kubica. It's ashame, but I am starting to think RK will not be back in F1. Mark
Kubica stated before the whole Kimi thing that he wouldn't be able to compete in the first bit of 2012.
I don't think the team's budget is big enough for that. They're probably only paying him a few million bucks...
I guess so. I think the ideal partner for Kimi would be Rubens. But now, his management has denied the entire story. IMHO, Robert is doing himself no favours by keeping everyone in the dark.
Ian hard to say if this sounds good or not for the immediate future of the car and progress to get them to the front. I still stand by what I posted. It will be a 'growth' year for Kimi first time back. The car just wont be on par with his rides of the past I think. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96604
Indeed! We've got Ferrari saying they've got to be "more aggressive" and in your link Renault saying they've got to be "more conservative"! [Actually, I thought the Eric interview in there was terribly rambling and almost non-sensical in places - I know English isn't his first language, but he seemed to be going in all directions....] As I said, you're probably right and wise to stay with your prediction - I know it's a long shot for him, particularly in year one but it'll certainly add interest having him back. Cheers, Ian
Sorry this question is probably a novice question, but I am new to Formula 1 and I was just wondering how is 3 drivers - 2 cars going to work out with Renault Lotus GP? They already have Petrov and Senna so how is Kimi going to race with Renault also? Are they going to have 3 cars on the grid??
It isn't. ....... They do? Not according to next years initial entry list; http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96592 A few seats have subsequently been filled, but not next years Lotus #2...... Cheers, Ian
