i prefer Kimi in Lotus...i wish there existed a magic stick that would turn Lotus to rbr...but this cannot happen. as time passes and i read news and see results, i start believing that Kimi will probably choose the best car, the best potential for the best car at least, and he'll go to rbr....even if he has to survive in an environment built around Seb. Kimi has proved to be fearless.
Zitat Manager Robertson opens the best seats for Räikkönen
F1 | Turun Sanomat 29.6.2012 00:33
Steve Robertson has guided Kimi's driving career starting from the small formulas as his manager. He has mastered Kimi to McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, and now he is also negotiating with a championship-winning team - Red Bull.
A few months ago Robertson praised how Kimi Räikkönen had rocketed as the F1 -driver market's hottest name. On Friday in Silverstone Grand Prix -paddock Robertson confirmed that if possible, Kimi has become an even hotter driver with the interest he has awakened.
– When you look at Kimi to this year he has made absolutely spectatular results. He opened the season with a victory and has after that always been consistently even, although also unlucky in the last two races.
– The general reception on the paddock is very outstanding for a guy who delivers that kind of results. Kimi's level is so unbelieavable - 24 races in a row with points - so the top teams always look first at a driver like Kimi who can pull off a think like that.
– Kimi is really hot stuff on the driver market. There's no point in denying that, Robertson assures Turun Sanomat.
Open doors in every direction
Robertson took the 'back seat' in Kimi's background forces after he had arranged Kimi a seat as Lotus-team's driver. At this stage the manager is however needed more.
– Kimi trusts in me with these matters and of course we do our everything to get him the best seat possible so he can drive for victories and the championships for as long as he wants to continue here, Robertson tells.
Räikkönen didn't even care to hide that he was negotiating in different directions.
– Those negotiations are my job. We are open in every direction. Kimi doesn't have a contract after this season, so of course I'm talking to different teams to see what they have to offer for next year.
– But at this stage that's all I can tell, because nothing has been done with anyone. There is a lot of interest, there is a lot of talking, but that's all for now, Robertson clears.
They have no schedule when to finalize the contract negotiations.
– We continue negotiating and I can't say if it takes two or three weeks or more. It can take a long time when finaziling the contract.
F1-career continues with certainity
Is it absolutely sure that Räikkönen will drive F1 in 2014?
– To put it frankly I think it's pretty much sure that Kimi will be in F1 next year also. I think that is the most important information for outsiders at the moment. When you drive like Kimi there is a demand and since Kimi enjoys driving at the moment and wants to continue in F1, demand and supply meet.
– The break from F1 did really good to Kimi. He came back refreshed and filled with energy. He enjoys F1 totally flatout, Robertson praises.
Räikkönen's passion is winning. How big is this factor when having the chance to drive in next season's best car?
– Of course an opportunity like that is always a big factor. We all know that in order to win races you need a seat in certain teams. Kimi has won races with Lotus and this team is one option. They want to continue with Kimi really much, Robertson tells.
Change of regulations is under control
We are in for one of the biggest change of regulations in F1-history. What does it mean for Räikkönen?
– When you think back at Kimi's comeback after being away for two years, they suspected that it was a big risk to take him since tires and cars have changed so much during that time. Then right in the first test after 20-30 laps Kimi assured me that everything felt immediately quite normal. Kimi has a natural talent to quickly adapt to everything related to the car.
Romain Grosjean has benefitted from the setup-improvements thanks to Räikkönen's feelings, and I'm sure that this talent won't at least hinder Sebastian Vettel in Red Bull.
– Kimi is one of the most experienced drivers in the serie. All engineers from teams where Kimi has raced in have praised the accuracy of his feedback. Nobody is perfect, but I believe that it won't take long for Kimi to adjust to next year's novelties, Robertson thinks.
ZitatLotus: We are fighting hard to keep Raikkonen By Editor on Sunday, June 30, 2013
Photo credit: Lotus F1 Team Lotus is pushing Kimi Raikkonen to make a quick decision over his future.
The 2007 world champion has admitted “small talks” with Red Bull have already taken place, but both Raikkonen and his potential 2014 boss Christian Horner are saying they are in no rush to finalise a deal.
A different message is now emerging from Lotus.
“He (Raikkonen) knows that we need to plan ahead for 2014,” team boss Eric Boullier told Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
“We assume that before the summer break he will decide whether he is staying or not,” the Frenchman added.
Far from issuing a ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum, however, Boullier is arguing strongly that Lotus – with a new 35 per cent co-owner and therefore solid financial backing – is the right place for introvert Raikkonen, who despises most non-racing aspects of Formula One.
“We are fighting hard to keep Kimi,” he said. “We’ll do everything in our power. Personally, I’m absolutely convinced that he’ll be in our car next year.”
“Kimi is not for sale,” Boullier insisted. “He doesn’t need more money, so Red Bull can’t just buy him.
“I know what goes on in his head and money does not play the most important role. We’ve built our team around him, and what he needs.
“He likes the people here, the engineers, the management. Kimi loves his freedom more than anything else, and unlike any other team he gets that here in combination with a good car.”
Boullier therefore questioned whether Red Bull is the right place for Raikkonen.
“First, Red Bull is built completely around Sebastian Vettel. Kimi will have to slot in behind the guy who has given them three world championships.
“The other thing is that he has to do a lot less PR days with us, compared to at least 20 or 30 at Red Bull. That’s why he’s happy here,” the Frenchman added.
“Kimi wants to beat Vettel, but not at any price,” Boullier said. “All I can do is put the arguments in favour of Lotus on the table for him.”
ZitatRed Bull snub would make Raikkonen 'a wimp' - Lauda" title="ha" /> While Sir Jackie Stewart thinks to be a Vettel's teammate is a bad move for Raikkonen, Niki Lauda says he is a wimp if he will not do it.
Jul.1 (GMM) Two F1 legends fundamentally disagree about Kimi Raikkonen's best next move.
It is rumoured the 2007 world champion is the hot favourite to replace Red Bull's Porsche-bound Mark Webber next season.
But Sir Jackie Stewart, a triple world champion turned consultant for Lotus team owner Genii, thinks becoming Sebastian Vettel's teammate would be a bad move for the Finn.
"I wouldn't want to go into the garage next to another top driver who for many years has established his place within that team," the Scot told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.
Typically bluntly, however, fellow triple world champion Niki Lauda thinks 33-year-old Raikkonen should make the jump to Red Bull.
"If Kimi doesn't go," the Austrian legend told German newspaper Bild, "he's a wimp.
"Yes, he might have to do a few more working days, but all that means is a few less drinking days!" Lauda added.
I would be a little surprised if he did go to red bull..
I was hoping all along he would go to red bull for selfish reasons.. Yes, it does offer him the best chance for a WDC. But he will really be up against a stern challenge. Vettel is arguably the best driver in F1 right now.
This will be an incredible team pairing if true " title="blink" />
Zitat von SonnyI would be a little surprised if he did go to red bull..
I was hoping all along he would go to red bull for selfish reasons.. Yes, it does offer him the best chance for a WDC. But he will really be up against a stern challenge. Vettel is arguably the best driver in F1 right now.
This will be an incredible team pairing if true
You don't want Kimi to be called a wimp do you " title="tap" />
Zitat von SonnyI would be a little surprised if he did go to red bull..
I was hoping all along he would go to red bull for selfish reasons.. Yes, it does offer him the best chance for a WDC. But he will really be up against a stern challenge. Vettel is arguably the best driver in F1 right now.
This will be an incredible team pairing if true
You don't want Kimi to be called a wimp do you
I was hoping you could come up with your own words if you were going to take a shot at me, not someone else's " title="wink" />
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Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:10 pm
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" title="suomi" /> 
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cream" title="icecream" /> 
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" title="roll" /> Go, wash your mouth with soap old man! 
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" title="whew" /> now that it may finally come true? 
" title="eek" /> let Kimi make a decision without feeling threatened 
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