I hate how the Scuderia Ferrari gear is never the same as the official gear the team actually wears...gonna miss that from buying kimi lotus gear the last 2 seasons...hats shirts etc were always identical to what is worn by kimi, other than the inner labels/tags.
Kimi Raikkonen leaving Lotus over money | Lotus F1 | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1 Its money that matters.....
There's a muppet news flash. Even if a driver is willing to forgo salary a broke team just can't produce a competitive car.
Indeed. Read a fascinating article in a German magazine. F1 is in deep trouble financially. Something needs changing. Not sure Bernie can fix it or whether he is even part of the problem. A major shake up is coming though.
It's not that simple and clear cut. Lotus thought they got Kimi cheap when paying him a low salary and they thought they were safe when promising bonuses if Kimi would score over 100 points, which they didn't think would happen. They didn't pay him bonuses last year and nor have they paid him bonuses this year either. What kind of a message are they giving their driver who scores points after points to them? 1. They don't think he is worth paying bonuses. 2. They don't have money to build a competitive car for next year. If the team has so little appreciation for KR that they don't think they have to pay bonuses according to the contract, then the bunny picture can be seen two ways But does Kimi owe them so much that he ought to drive for nickles and take the charity-approach to Lotus? I don't think so, since salaries always show a certain kind of respect for a driver.
But you made it sound as if he was greedy for money, DF1. Kimi's salary in Lotus is 5 million euros. The team owes Kimi 5,1 million euros in unpaid salaries.
Uh you can read all you into what matters or not from Kimi. He left because he wasnt being paid. Thats not greed at all. He would like to be paid for his efforts. Lotus didnt pay him. This is not a complicated calculus.
IIRC Kimi did get his money from last year, as it almost bankrupted the team (they weren't aware he was going to do so well...he got 75K euro per point! + 3m base!). I'm only aware of them owing some cash now, that 5.1 figure you put is probably right. If they can't pay his salary, they can't afford to develop the car. I'm sure he enjoyed his time at Lotus but no point racing for friendship .
Bas Jaski, I don't know if he got all of it from last year. The contract stated that he would get bonuses if he would score over 100 points, from that on every point meant bonuses. Kimi scored over 200 points last season, something Lotus wasn't prepared for. So I think that they still owe from last year? Reporters asked Kimi today why he has stayed for so long at Lotus although he doesn't get paid. Kimi replied that he wants to help the team as much as he can. Kimi skipped Lotus-team's PR-event in the earlier GP, he probably skips them from now on. But Lotus is in big trouble if they don't find a pay driver, there has already been talks about their future being at stake. lol, they probably sigh of relief every race Kimi doesn't score points
If Andrew Benson is right, then Lotus didn't even try to keep Räikkönen in the team, otherwise they would had taken care of it: @andrewbensonf1 - to be clear on Raikkonen/Lotus, I'm told it's not just his bonus for points that hasn't been paid, but his whole salary
If he still hasn't got their pay by next year he can probably take a (generous) ownership share in the team. Might be a conflict of interest there though....put it in his managers name .
Here's a good breakdown on the finances. Ill bet lawyers are drooling to sue Lotus on Kimi's behalf after the season is over. Serious $$ BBC Sport - Kimi Raikkonen joining Ferrari because of money dispute
There is a group of anonymous Finns who translate every now and then, they don't want their names to be mentioned so that's the reason why I don't credit the translator. You Ferrari-guys, do you know this Moko-guy?
