From Martin Brundle's analysis of the pairing: "He (Raikkonen) will go about it in his own way. If he heard a radio message 'Fernando is faster than you', Kimi Raikkonen is not going to move out of the way. "He's going to radio back and say 'So why is he behind me, then, if he's faster than me?". And a few expletives along the way. It will definitely put Alonso on his toes. It will be the strongest pairing in Formula One."
I am not to happy as well. A motivated Kimi is very quick, but it takes some effort to get Kimi motivated. And if he is not motivated, even Massa is capable of consistently beating him. It won't get any easier with Kimi in the team.
How fast many seem to forget the sullen attitude, lackadaisical work ethic and general disinterest by KR in the past. Frankly, he could have cared less when he got sacked, I feel. I guess it's okay that a driver skulks off to a yacht party in Monaco after retiring and getting paid tens of millions for his services? His support for the team was equally feckless. He may be fast (as pointed out, when he wants to be), but I can't imagine it will take too long for the same complaints about his lackluster approach to things to be heard once again around the Scuderia's garage. I'll be positive and reserve judgment, and I do like his results better than Massa's, but he's already got a strike against him. I would certainly have preferred an up-and-comer who the Scuderia could build a future around. CW
Today's driver contracts are literally two seperate agreements. Driving and promoting. Kimi may have negotiated a limited promotional commitment while loading the drivers contract with incentives.
He seems different since he came back. Two years in the wilderness away from F1 may have given him a better appreciation for what he had. Plus it's been 6 years since his WDC. Seems more hungry now. And I don't mean for ice cream...
Mario stated this past weekend "I would never move over for a team mate because the team asked me to, what are they gonna do, fire me!"
+1 clearly among the fastest in the world - when he wants it. Nico Hulkenberg? Perhaps the Scuderia has taken an option on his services two years hence
You obviously didn't get the memo from LdM... "Drivers come and go, but Ferrari is still here." It's the driver that builds a future around Ferrari, not the other way around. Ferrari just nurtures the better driving talents as best they can for the glory of red. Prime example: Michael Schumacher
Point taken, and, but for Todt and Brawn, there would have been only one leg of the stool in place. However, no matter how good the car, the driver is still an important element. A good car can make a bad driver look better than they are, just as a good driver can make a bad car finish better. Unfortunately, for me, LdM's judgment is in question. He sacked MS for a seemingly-unappreciative KR. He either intentionally broke the dream team up or let it fall apart under his tenure. Things and times change, and it would never have remained intact forever. Lots of folks don't like Domenicali and view that as a poor decision, too. But, the first foray with KR while not exactly a disaster, certainly wasn't optimal. Why repeat the mistake? Jury's out on KR. Fast, but mercurial. Let's hope he's more committed this time around. CW
If he's not under contract to Lotus or another team. If Ferrari had an option the length of his Lotus or other contract would be subject to the option.
Kimi hinted at this when he stated some would say his decision was stupid. On the contrary, Kimi is very smart to follow James Allison to Ferrari. I look forward to this pairing very much.
Awesome pic, the iceman is the coolest F1 driver since Hunt and Irvine. My signed Kimi helmet just got a few more extra miles on it.
