Kimi did win a WDC for Ferrari. Alonso doesn't look like he'll be winning one anytime soon but hey you never know. Everything I read about Mclaren seemed to signal Kimi was the perfect driver for them, very quick, and he would tell them what was wrong with the car and the engineers would set out to correct it. I've read Ferrari isn't like this they expect you to adapt to drive their car.
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/271018/williams-co-owner-confirms-serious-raikkonen-talks/ I have to sort of laugh about this just because of who Kimi is. 'Serious' talks with Kimi could mean: Williams: "So Kimi, we're excited you're re-interested in F1 and we would like to get you on board as soon as possible so to get going for '12". Kimi: *stares downwards for a few moment like his dog just died* then shakes head ever so slightly yet just enough to confuse Williams in knowing if he is serious or not Williams: "so, we want to pay you X amount with a 3 season contract" Kimi: *touches bill of his 'f**k off' logo'd hat and then fakes a sneeze making sure to rub his nose with the hand he is going to shake their hand with later* replies, "ok" Williams: "we are going to have to tell the media these are serious talks because he actually said something this time" Kimi: "are we done yet" F1 needs someone like Kimi.
An announcement is expected for the coming GP at Abu Dhabi. Kimi at the press conference: "YesitisagreathonortodriveforwilliamsadreamcametrueformeandIambeyondmyselfwithjoy." Image Unavailable, Please Login
With the rumor of Middle East $$$$$$$$ behind the deal, I will lose faith if the Abu Dhabi race passes by and nothing is announced.
Coulthard seems to disagree. I remember a story from Coulthard a few years back that when Kimi first came to Mclaren (alongside The Jaw), he woke up just before the test session was supposed to start, got in the car, drove some quick laps, got out, told his engineer what he'd like to change (apparently into detail), went back to his motorhome until the car was ready, got back in the car again, set the track on fire and DC could not catch him. I think a lot of people can't look past the muttering and not giving a **** attitude towards the press and therefore think he's got no motivation. I hope he hasn't lost his mojo and after a year at Williams he'll go to a top team again...perhaps if MSC retires his Mercedes seat? Whatever happens I'll support him, unfortunately since he left and Kubica had his accident I only have MSC to cheer for and Vettel.
What's the point of paying Kimi a boat load (presumably) of cash if Williams cannot build a car with any chance of competing for a win? Mark
Getting Kimi's butt in that seat means big sponsor $$$ from sponsors who would otherwise be not interested. He needs to get paid to be in it
I wonder if this is a test run for the Red Bull seat next year. Drive around in a crap car for a season to prove he's still fast. Then replace Webber for 2013?
Perhaps. But I also think that Williams have said enough is enough and are ready to be a winning team again. I think they see big potential with the new engines and are convincing/have convinced Kimi that next year they will have a competitive car.
Well, the two threads were both discussing Kimi's return to F1, albeit the first thread did so with a rather cryptic title. The second thread was really a continuation of the first one with a more obvious title and updated information as the story developed. Really, the two subjects couldn't be more identical, and that is why I merged the threads. Same here - I do worry that he'll suffer for competitiveness while trying to get back into F1. His second season back might be better for results - I still hope to see he's got the raw speed, even if he crashes out on occasion while he gets settled in during season 1 of the comeback. All the best, Andrew.
I don't doubt his presence will bring in sponsor dollars, but will he bring in enoug to make the team competitive. Wasn't Williams barely hanging on financially a couple of years ago?? Mark
Brilliant idea. Hopefully we'll see some spiritied driving by the Iceman. Hammer meets nail. Dollars alone won't right the listing Williams ship. All we can expect is that Kimi will pass some back markers and mid fielders. Anything beyond that would be a miracle. And he needs to beat his team mate in qualifying and WDC points.
I met Kimi this year, he was wearing a red bull hat. That said, he actually has a bit more personality when he's away from the TV camera's. The OP's picture post has made me laugh every time I come across it.
I prefer this one I thought Team Willy were going to announce signing him this weekend? Any word yet? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'd love to see him return but I think it is unrealistic to believe he'll beat his team mate first year in (you know who I use as a reference...). I still can't comprehend how he allowed Massa to become the lead driver at Ferrari and it is worrying he might not have the lap times required to return now. He was glorious to watch though and a deserving WDC. I adore the guy.
He will crush Maldonado, as long as he is coming back because he wants to do well. A motivated Kimi is faster then any team mate. He will be faster from first Friday practice. I think it is smart of him to come to a second (or 3rd) rate team as it will allow him time to get back into things and also show how important the driver is. You can't have that impact at a top team with top drivers already there. After a couple races, Kimi will put the Williams in Q3 every race, which he could do with any of the teams except HRT, Virgin and maybe Lotus. IMHO there are no top drivers in any of the non-top tier teams, (not that they cannot become top drivers) this has been proven out this season. Last year Sutil was so hyped but has been equaled this season by a rookie. Same with Kobayashi, who I am a big fan of. Kimi would crush any of them. Also, with Massa, the team wanted Kimi to support Massa after Massa helped Kimi. This took away kimi's motivation. The politics of F1 have never appealed to Kimi.