ZitatRed Bull insists Kimi Raikkonen still a 2014 candidate By Jonathan Noble Thursday, August 22nd 2013, 17:42 GMT Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen remains on Red Bull's shortlist for a 2014 Formula 1 seat, team principal Christian Horner has revealed.
In a surprise twist to the ongoing intrigue surrounding the identity of Sebastian Vettel's new team-mate, Horner arrived in Belgium on Thursday to claim that his outfit was still some way away from making a decision.
And although Raikkonen's management team had insisted that its talks with Red Bull were over, Horner said that the team had not dismissed the Finn yet.
"Nothing is fixed yet," said Horner. "We said we would take the summer to mull things over, but there is no commitment yet.
"I wouldn't rule anything out at the moment. Until we finalise who is going to take the second seat, there is nothing much to say."
When asked by AUTOSPORT why Raikkonen's management believed the Red Bull door was closed, Horner said: "You'd have to ask Steve [Robertson]. I have only seen the comments.
"We haven't made any commitment to our second seat, and when we do you will be the first to know."
He added: "Kimi is very much his own man. I think at the end of the day I am sure he will do what is best for him.
"We are in a fortunate position where there is an awful lot of interest in the seat and we have got a bit of time until we need to make any firm commitments, so we will use the time to evaluate the market fully."
When pushed to clarify whether Raikkonen was off the list of contenders, he said: "It's up to him. We want to make the right decision and we will take the appropriate time to make that decision."
MORE THAN TWO OPTIONS?
While Red Bull had initially suggested in the wake of Mark Webber's call to leave Formula 1 that its choice was between Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo, Horner suggested that other possibilities could now be on the table.
He further intimated in Belgium that the list of choices was bigger than he had initially suspected.
"You have to make sure you consider all the options and there are more options than you could possibly think," he said.
Fernando Alonso emerged as in Hungary, after Red Bull sources revealed it was made aware in a meeting with Alonso's agent that the Spaniard could be available for 2014 despite previously being believed to be firmly under contract at Ferrari.
AUTOSPORT has learned that Red Bull was not the only team to have been alerted in Hungary to the possibility that Alonso could be a free agent for 2014 under certain circumstances.
When asked in Belgium if Alonso was still in contention, Horner said: "You will have to ask Fernando. I think he has got a contract with Ferrari."
He added: "We will take the time to carefully consider our options which is what we have been doing, and when we have got something to say we will say it."
Alonso's manager Flavio Briatore has made it clear since Hungary, however, that the Spaniard is intent on remaining at Ferrari and has no interest in a Red Bull seat.
RICCIARDO NOT A DONE DEAL
Although Ricciardo has done an impressive job for Toro Rosso, and did well in a test for Red Bull at Silverstone, Horner played down talk that he was a shoe-in for the seat.
"Daniel has done a very good job in the test he has done for us, and the recent races he has done for Toro Rosso," he said.
"But that doesn't mean it is a foregone conclusion. It is an important decision for us and we want to take the time to make the right decision and consider all the options.
"We are in a fortunate position where there are a lot of drivers who would like to be in that car."
Horner expects an announcement about Red Bull's 2014 driver plans to be made around the time of the Italian Grand Prix.
Kimi Raikkonen says he has not had an answer from Red Bull over a potential seat with the team next season.
Red Bull is looking to replace Mark Webber in 2014 and Raikkoenn was one of the favourites for the seat until his manager said talks had ended "some time ago" earlier this week. However, Christian Horner yesterday refused to rule out any driver getting the vacancy and Raikkonen said the stall in talks had come from the Red Bull side.
"I've had no answer from them and I will see what happens," Raikkonen said. "You will have to really ask them what they will do; I don't know any better than you guys … We haven't heard anything for a while, so obviously that's not the ideal situation but that's how it is."
Asked about rumours he could join Ferrari, Raikkonen said: "There's not much I can tell you other than that until there is anything 100% sure I don't have anything to tell. There's a lot of talk that I'm supposed to go to McLaren. I read somewhere that it's Ferrari one day and it's Lotus the next day so … I still don't have a contract so what else can I say?"
Raikkonen confirmed he is still awaiting payment from Lotus, saying it was an area he wanted rectifying if he were to stay at the team.
"Not as it should, but hopefully those things get sorted quickly."
Raikkonen also hinted that he may not have been ill on Thursday when he was absent from Spa.
"Maybe I could, it wouldn't change anything for me. You would ask me the same questions today that you would have asked yesterday. There's always reasons for things but I don't have to tell you all of those things."
ZitatKimi Raikkonen has no idea where he stands in Red Bull F1 talks By Jonathan Noble and Sam Tremayne Friday, August 23rd 2013, 15:41 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen says Red Bull stopped responding in their 2014 Formula 1 contract negotiations and he has no idea where he stands with the world champion team now.
The Finn's management team declared earlier this week that Red Bull was no longer an option for Raikkonen next year, leaving the way clear for Daniel Ricciardo to replace sportscar-bound Mark Webber as Sebastian Vettel's team-mate.
Then at Spa on Friday Red Bull boss Christian Horner insisted the team had not ruled Raikkonen out.
Raikkonen said he was bemused by the situation.
"I had no answer from them," he told reporters in the paddock. "We will see what happens.
"You have to ask them what they will do. I don't know any better than you guys."
"We never heard anything for a while, which is not the ideal situation, but that's how it is."
While staying at Lotus is believed to be Raikkonen's most likely option, he has also been linked to Ferrari.
But he refused to be drawn on his future on Friday and hit out at media coverage of his contract talks.
"There is no different answer I can give you," said Raikkonen.
"Until there is anything 100 per cent sure, I've nothing to tell.
"There is a lot of talk I'm supposed to go to McLaren, I read somewhere, then there's Ferrari, and then there's Lotus.
"I still don't have a contract so what else can I say?
"Until I can tell you anything 100 per cent, you keep asking and I keep saying the same things.
"We will not get anywhere and then there is a lot of bullshit in the papers about the different options, that this will happen, that this guy said that.
"There must be much more interesting things to write about and tell people than the same things over and over again."
1. Villeneuve says that Kimi's management is good to create a kind of energy around to develop all sort of rumors in order to grow Kimi's prize while Rb tries all that can to reduce Kimi's cost. 2. Kimi says in the interview that he is trying to find the best seat with all the package around. Plus that there always are different aspects in a deal talk that can make a transfer happen or not. He will tell something when there will be a definitive something. Than asked if he takes care of who could be his next teammate he answers saying that in the past he never decided the teammate and anyway that you always try to beat him. In the end asked if he has some problems with Alo, he answers that he has no big problems with anyone here. 3. Robertson: "at the moment no difference between 4 weeks ago and now. We are waiting an answer from Lotus both technically and financially in order to win the title and then we'll see what happens next year". 4. Lopez (In a very poor Italian...) says that next year all will change and the teams will better if start to think as constructors...so they are trying to be close to Renault to demonstrate their reaction if something go wrong. 5. Sara (so fucking cute!) summarizes to Jacques (so fucking stupid!) that Lotus should give Kimi financial and technical guarantees if they want to keep him. Jacques says that Kimi wants money because is a world champion and this is understandable. Then he says that next year the teams will need to develop the car working hard and this is a thing that Kimi doesn't do (what a wanker Jacques is! ) because he wants only to drive the car, he is fast but he doesn't do the work. 6. Vanzini with Genè says that Horner still continues to say that Kimi has many chances to go to Ferrari 7. Horner talks about the sudden punch in Seb's car and they still haven't understood the causes. Then, asked if is it true that he says that Kimi is quite close to be a Ferrari driver next year, he answers saying that is absolutely not true! Is it still open a door for Kimi? And he: I'm sure that the situation will be clear at the end of European f1 leg. 8. In the end Sara says that Spa is damned for Alonso remembering Grosjean's flight last year very close to Alo (while Kimi appears from the stairs...)
Zitat Christian Horner insists Red Bull are yet to decide on their driver line-up for 2014 But Red Bull boss not drawn on claims Alonso may be a contender
By Pete Gill and James Galloway at Spa. Last Updated: August 25, 2013 6:24pm
Christian Horner has categorically denied Mark Webber's claim that Daniel Ricciardo has already signed a deal to drive for Red Bull in 2014.
Amid incessant speculation about the identity of his replacement, Webber told Australia's Channel 10 ahead of the Belgian GP: "The decision has been made. We all know who it is. I'm happy with that decision. It's good for him and Australia."
Yet Horner remains adamant that Red Bull are still yet to make a definitive decision with Ricciardo vying against Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, and perhaps Fernando Alonso, to partner Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
"There is plenty of speculation around but nothing has been signed yet," confirmed the Red Bull boss at Spa. "The situation is that we have time to contemplate our selection and there will be no announcement before Monza.
"Mark is not privy to all of our discussions with the drivers but when we are comfortable to announce the decision then we will announce it."
Although Horner has previously declared that only Raikkonen and Ricciardo were in the running to succeed Webber, there have been increasingly suggestive hints that Alonso could also be in the frame. According to paddock rumour, Horner was personally informed at the Hungaroring prior to the summer break that the Spaniard's long-term contract with Ferrari may not be as watertight as previously believed.
"We still haven't fixed anything. We're taking our time to evaluate all our options, and we've been surprised about what those options are," Horner told Sky Sports F1 on Sunday.
"Kimi is without doubt a class driver, but we are also thinking of the future, and there are so many things we have to take into account. He's driven very well this season, probably better than last year, but he's very much his own man as well."
ZitatComment: Sometimes the back row in the circus tells the truth - for example about Kimi Räikkönen's contract
25.08.2013 19:03 | Formula 1 |
The Formula circus is a splendid world. I use the word 'circus' deliberately and in a positive meaning. F1 creates entertainement all through the year and this sport fills papers even between races. One just has to enjoy the fuss and the professionalism of this system deserves a lot of respect.
Although Belgian GP didn't offer sweets to Finns, the circus will guaranteely be the talk during the two weeks before it arrives to the next town. F1 is a machinery that is polished to the top and one can't but admire it.
When we on August 1st told that Kimi Räikkönen already signed the Ferrari-contract and when we on August 20th also as the first media revealed the lenght of the contract, the stage didn't quiet down. On the contrary. The interjection from our young website in the back row created more movement than usual in those who perform in leading roles.
Rumour mill grinds more money
One also just has to like the formula-world because hooiigans screaming from the back row aren't seen as bad. The more talk about the sport, the more the sport and sponsors get visibility. And it means money for everyone.
F1 wouldn't be even close to their current status without the huge machinery which month after month runs the rumour mill. How many of the rumours become true in the end? That's just it, most of them are misses.
The brilliance in the F1-rumour mill is that it's run by workers for the circus (teams, managers, drivers) and also by the audience (media and "normal" spectactors on discussion boards). Their motive is clear: the cake which is shared after shows grows.
Then what about the media's role? I claim that part of domestic and international reporters know at this very moment that Räikkönen has a contract with Ferrari. Still they don't tell it as a fact, instead they feed more and more team-options in the rumour mill and repeat what workers in the circus tell them, about for example Kimi staying in Lotus.
Reporters in the circus have been harnessed to the circus-machinery. By coming out with information that is deliberately confusing, a reporter ensures his own place in the front row in next season's shows. All information from these people in the front row is not a smokescreen, hence one should take everything in and share it with the hungry readers.
I'm not saying this in a negative meaning: in the same situation I would act exactly the same way and would state that this is just a part of the show. Without the contract information from our source, even SuomiF1-website would at the moment repeat every new team option like those bashed sites running with advertisement-money - hoping for vitally important clicks. Now I have to stand by and look with envy how others get to increase their traffic.
Lying is part of the business
MTV3:s F1-reporter Oskari Saari told during Saturday's live broadcasting how we are once again living the times when teams, drivers and managers have to talk a lot of rubbish. This lying can't be taken as a bad thing, because by talking the truth they would face a penalty of millions and I think each and everyone of us would rather bend their words. In the circus-regulations it's also stated that they can't be quiet – it would be bad for the business.
They have to give something to the papers to write about. Since they can't reveal truths or be quiet, what's left? I for one have admired Räikkönen's and his manager Steve Robertson's pokerfaces while the men come out with a load of rubbish in front of the tv-cameras.
After we revealed the lenght of Kimi's Ferrari-contract, Robertson was immediately active the very next morning. The man's statements about â€Lotus is still option number 1" were printed in both domestic and international media.
Why react to a young media's news unless it hit a spot? Why put the machinery quickly in action to produce a smokescreen if they had nothing to hide?
Because even Robertson knows that you don't have to speak the truth to get a seat in the front row. On the contrary, sometimes it can be easier to speak the truth from the back row.
Zitat von SonnyThis guy better hope he is correct about the Ferrari deal, or his reputation as a journalist will surely be smeared.
He seems very confident and what he says make sense
It depends how inclined you are to believing what he says. Personally, I think it makes next to no sense for Kimi to return to a team where the president bought out his contract with sponsor (Santander) money that is still being provided to help the "replacement" driver get his first WDC with that team. In addition, do you really think Kimi would feel like he has a chance to compete on equal terms with that very driver? Kimi doesn't fit into the Italian culture. He doesn't greet people warmly. He doesn't spend his free time at the factory. He doesn't use the simulator to prepare for the upcoming GP. Maybe most important of all: he doesn't speak Italian or care to learn the language. These traits are exactly what Fernando has strived to achieve in winning the hearts of not only the factory workers, but the president of Ferrari. In addition, Kimi's last race engineer at Ferrari is currently Alonso's race engineer.
Please ask yourself honestly: does Kimi fit there? Aside from winning his only WDC and having the chance to sit in a (maybe) more competitive car, what is His motivation to return to the team that decreased his interest in the sport so much that he left it to go rallying?
I agree Peter seems confident. I can follow some of his points and see the logic. But at the end of the day, Kimi to Ferrari is the farthest thing from logical to me.
I may be made a complete fool for "my logic." But I won't look nearly as foolish as Mr. Franck if his theory isn't true..
I agree with you Sonny. " title="five" /> But I am in panic mood " title="sad" /> RedBull option (my wish) is out, Lotus finances seems shit with so many other stuff to sort out. Ferrari seems like the only option left that can pay him & give a decent car to race even though may not be the quickest. Arghh, I clutching on straws! " title="cry" />
Zitat von SonnyThis guy better hope he is correct about the Ferrari deal, or his reputation as a journalist will surely be smeared.
He seems very confident and what he says make sense
It depends how inclined you are to believing what he says. Personally, I think it makes next to no sense for Kimi to return to a team where the president bought out his contract with sponsor (Santander) money that is still being provided to help the "replacement" driver get his first WDC with that team. In addition, do you really think Kimi would feel like he has a chance to compete on equal terms with that very driver? Kimi doesn't fit into the Italian culture. He doesn't greet people warmly. He doesn't spend his free time at the factory. He doesn't use the simulator to prepare for the upcoming GP. Maybe most important of all: he doesn't speak Italian or care to learn the language. These traits are exactly what Fernando has strived to achieve in winning the hearts of not only the factory workers, but the president of Ferrari. In addition, Kimi's last race engineer at Ferrari is currently Alonso's race engineer.
Please ask yourself honestly: does Kimi fit there? Aside from winning his only WDC and having the chance to sit in a (maybe) more competitive car, what is His motivation to return to the team that decreased his interest in the sport so much that he left it to go rallying?
I agree Peter seems confident. I can follow some of his points and see the logic. But at the end of the day, Kimi to Ferrari is the farthest thing from logical to me.
I may be made a complete fool for "my logic." But I won't look nearly as foolish as Mr. Franck if his theory isn't true..
I do agree with you completely. I really cant see why Kimi would ever want to return to Ferrari. Silly season gets crazy at times, and I think many people in other forums have applied some sort of flawed logic to this concept. But it just doesn't fly. Sometimes you need to step back and look at the bigger picture, away from silly season craziness and what is being reported.
Just look at Red Bull it was always pretty obvious that they might be looking for second driver. How many top teams actually does hire two competitive drivers? Almost no one, only Mclaren has done it from time to time. Red Bull are winning many championship by having a second driver so it was reasonable to assume that they would continue with this practice.
The same for Ferrari, why hire another top driver? and especially someone they paid off who didn't fit into the team that well. As you say Kimi would never get a fair shot at Ferrari. He didn't the first time why would things be different now. There has not been any major changes.
It is well rumored that the Ferrari engine next year will not be the best, it might be the worse. There just isn't really a reason for Kimi to go there, he isn't an adequate replacement for Massa. People think Allison is going to make a big difference, but he will have a lot of people to report to while at Lotus he had free reign. So it might not make that much of a difference. Lotus will atleast have a better engine, and we are hearing that it will be important. And there are rumours of a bigger Renault involvement. Lotus does a lot of silly things at times but Kimi is the head driver, that has a certain advantages.
Mclaren is an interesting option, and a much more valid one then Ferrari, yet it seems like they are married to Button or something. Which is lame, they could be doing a bit better.
Next year we could see big dramatic changes.
Perhaps the Robertson's needs to start thinking out of the box. How about a team like Force India they have a strong connection with Mercedes, which would apparently be a much better engine next year, they are pretty fast this season, a driver like Kimi could help them to the next level just like Kimi has done for Lotus.
But in any event at the end of the day Kimi will properly just stay with Lotus.
Lotus: Raikkonen does not want a customer team status
(Motor-Total.com) - Because Daniel Ricciardo has been awarded the contract at Red Bull and Fernando Alonso will not leave despite all rumors Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen go in the transfer market of the Alternatives to Lotus. His signature in 2014 makes the "Iceman" but not primarily on the financial situation of his current employer depends who owes him part of his wages, but mainly of the sporting opportunities.
The negotiations "go ahead," said Gerard Lopez, chairman of Lotus owner Genii Capital Partners, in an interview with 'Motor-Total.com': "Two months ago, he has said that he will remain if we can give him some guarantees , technical safeguards. I think the chance that it remains high. "
Because no one can guarantee how good or bad the new Lotus is especially Raikkonen puts on a decent engine contract value. Say: Lotus is in contrast to about Caterham to be a normal customer team, but enjoy equal status as Red Bull. However, this could be a difficult task, ultimately owes the Lotus Renault team no money for past deliveries motor.
Raikkonen himself seems to have come to terms with the fact that he is paid less than originally agreed, "That is not the problem," Lopez says about money problems, which first raised publicly in Hungary its driver. "He has received some bonus payments for his points. His main concern is that we are a top team next year, because changes to the technical specifications strong and he does not want that we are a customer team.
That does not necessarily mean that Lotus has become the Renault factory team, but: ".. We discuss how we can move closer to Renault, in whatever form, no more and no less why we have not yet signed the engine contract," Lopez explained. He hopes that this will happen "pretty soon", but admits that this is "part of a larger discussion" was.
Raikkonen may also hopes to send a positive signal in connection with the proposed investor infinity, of whom nothing more was heard from an ominous press release. According to information from 'Motor-Total.com' s the deal long burst, Lopez seems still to cling to a straw, "By this is still being worked, for banks We'll see what happens.". The debt level of the team is about 120 million euros. http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news ... html#polla
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Thanks to F12007 McLaren: Kimi Raikkonen "Determined" to Leave Lotus 27 August 2013
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes Kimi Raikkonen is "determined" to leave Lotus, and has hinted his outfit could be tempted to sign the Finn.
Whitmarsh revealed his squad held talks with Raikkonen last year, but they broke down for a number of reasons.
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