Raikkonen return to F1?

[Seismica]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/86688

So, depending on Petrov's performance in the next few races, we could see a new driver at Renault.

It has been known for a while now, that Petrov's seat is just about the only unconfirmed seat for next year in a competitive team. Raikkonen has expressed his desire to return to F1 in a competitive team, and this could be his ticket back in.

I have doubts in Vitaly Petrov's ability, but partially because he's in Robert Kubica's shadow. Kubica is one of the biggest talents in F1, faster perhaps than the likes of Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso. I think the main reason Petrov hasn't been counted out already for next year is the sponsorship he brings from Russia, so he's no more than a pay driver right now (And Raikkonnen is likely to be the opposite - demanding big salary for his drive).

I personally want Raikkonen to get back into F1. I regarded him as one of the best before he left and we'll be able to see how fast Kubica really is. I also think this will make Renault a possible title contender for next year, with one of the best driver lineups we've seen for a while. However, I also believe it is good for the sport as a whole to bring young talent in. Petrov needs to prove himself in the remaining races to earn his place for next year, I think Renault need to make the decision that is best for the team. If Petrov can help the team get 4th place in the constructors, I believe he will have earned his right to stay, especially considering they have a more competitive car than Mercedes.

If Petrov retains his seat, Raikkonen will have to wait until 2012.

Thoughts?

 

[Hun200kmh]

I think Raikkonen should never return to F1 and should instead do whatever gives him pleasure outside of F1.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Call me a cynic, but the timing of Raikkonen's approach is all wrong. After the Belgian Grand Prix? If I were Renault, I wouldn't take him - I'd have no desire for a driver whose interest waxes and wanes with the success of the team. You need someone like Kubica, committed 100%. Not a driver whose heart is only in it when he can win.

 

[Ardius]

Call me a cynic, but the timing of Raikkonen's approach is all wrong. After the Belgian Grand Prix? If I were Renault, I wouldn't take him - I'd have no desire for a driver whose interest waxes and wanes with the success of the team. You need someone like Kubica, committed 100%. Not a driver whose heart is only in it when he can win.

How do you know when Raikkonen contacted Renault? No one knew that McLaren contacted Barrichello early last season.

I wouldn't mind seeing the old Raikkonen back, the one that pushed the McLaren over the limit.

Shame about Petrov, but then again its a logical decision for Renault to be looking at more experienced drivers if they really want to return to the top, especially in the constructors. Petrov has been pretty mediocre compared to the other rookies this year, Kobayashi obviously being the highlight. Hulkenburg hasn't been much better, but perhaps more consistently close to his teammate.
Considering the machinery Petrov has had this year, I'm more inclined to put him at Senna/Chandhok/Di Grassi levels, he hasn't done horrible but really he should do better with what he has. (whereas those in the new teams really can't do much better, its difficult to really judge them). He's a step up from Piquet and Grosjean, but perhaps a step down from Kovalainen.

 

[Clark]

I don't think you can judge Grosjean that well. Look at what he has acheived again now after F1, I think if Raikkonen doesn't join them he'd be a good driver after some proper test mileage (he's joined Gravity now aswell so he has a chance).

 

[Seismica]

I get the impression that the news is at least a few weeks old, perhaps months. I bet Raikkonen was hoping for a seat at Spa where he knows he can prove himself as it's a track he excells at.

It's only recently been revealed that he contacted Renault, but they didn't specify when.

 

[Reims_]

I like Kimi alot, but his lack of enthusiasm at times annoys the heck out of me. Give me a passionate Alonso over a bored Kimi any day.

 

[Tired Tyres]

If I was the Renault team boss there is no way I'd want Raikkonen in the team upsetting the apple cart for Kubica. I rate Kubica as champion material and I'd want to build the team around him. You can't do that with two number ones.

As for Petrov. He has started to put some good results together since he stopped crashing so often. There is some talent there and he needs time to show what he can do. He is doing well enough to justify another season at Renault in my view.

 

[DC9990]

I think Renault shouldnt get Kimi in but at the same time I dont think Petrov is quite fast enough.
So I dont really know who to get as a #2 I'd definately build the team around Kubica though. He will be champ one day.
Dont get me wrong Kimi can be super quick. The main words there are "can be" it just depends on his mood.
When he cant be bothered (like half the time at Ferrari) he wasnt producing quick laps.

 

[Antti-san]

If I was the Renault team boss there is no way I'd want Raikkonen in the team upsetting the apple cart for Kubica. I rate Kubica as champion material and I'd want to build the team around him. You can't do that with two number ones.

Even though I'd like to see Kimi back in F1, I agree - Renault wouldn't really suit him. Personally, I'd like to see Kovalainen get the second seat if Renault decides to get rid of Petrov.

 

[astrosdude91]

I've never seen Raikkonen race besides WRC this year, so this could be interesting for me. But I'll admit I really do like Petrov, he just hasn't been doing much in a competitive car the the Renault is. A Raikkonen-Kubica line up would be deadly though. So, where would Petrov end up? I'm sure someone would want him.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

If I was the Renault team boss there is no way I'd want Raikkonen in the team upsetting the apple cart for Kubica. I rate Kubica as champion material and I'd want to build the team around him. You can't do that with two number ones.

If he did like he did in 2008 and 2009, then he would be a good number two driver. With being out of the [F1] car for 1 year, Kubica would have a good advantage.

 

[Greycap]

If he did like he did in 2008 and 2009, then he would be a good number two driver.

He'd need another car built for eternal understeer to perform like that. The driver can only do so much if the car can't be set up how he likes because it's been designed to fit the other guy's driving style as the '08 and '09 Ferraris were. They were built for the safe and stable style of Massa, the mechanics simply couldn't get them to oversteer enough to allow Räikkönen get the most out of them. The '07 was a leftover from the Schumacher era - Schumacher also liked very responsive and oversteery cars - and look where it took him with Massa trailing well behind.

 

[The Outlaw]

If he did like he did in 2008 and 2009, then he would be a good number two driver. With being out of the [F1] car for 1 year, Kubica would have a good advantage.

Raikkonen is so naturally talented I don't know if that would be an issue though, not to mention the fact that rallying has surely kept him as mentally sharp as ever.

Also, Raikkonen was on his game for the better half of the 2009 season, performing well beyond the expectation of the F10 in the 2nd half 09.

He'd need another car built for eternal understeer to perform like that. The driver can only do so much if the car can't be set up how he likes because it's been designed to fit the other guy's driving style as the '08 and '09 Ferraris were. They were built for the safe and stable style of Massa, the mechanics simply couldn't get them to oversteer enough to allow Räikkönen get the most out of them. The '07 was a leftover from the Schumacher era - Schumacher also liked very responsive and oversteery cars - and look where it took him with Massa trailing well behind.

Give Kimi a car like the R30 (a car that is tossible like a go kart) and he would do quite well IMO. Kimi + R30 = awesome onboard footage Not many drivers (only Lewis and Alonso come to mind) that are as committed and fearless as Kimi on the high speed tracks.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I'd rather see Raikkonen stick with WRC and win there, I have a lot more respect for drivers succesful across different disciplines. He has been a champion in F1, I thought when he left the clinical, sterile, spirt crushing, evil grasp of McLaren he would florish at Ferrari - but things always seemed uncomfortable.. so I thought the WRC move was a brave one, and it would be a shame if he jumped ship so soon.

 

[The Outlaw]

I'd rather see Raikkonen stick with WRC and win there, I have a lot more respect for drivers successful across different disciplines. He has been a champion in F1, I thought when he left the clinical, sterile, spirt crushing, evil grasp of McLaren he would florish at Ferrari - but things always seemed uncomfortable.. so I thought the WRC move was a brave one, and it would be a shame if he jumped ship so soon.

Realistically I think Kimi's chances of ever fighting at the very front of the WRC are slim to none unfortunately, especially as long as someone like Loeb is in the sport, or even Solberg, Ogier, Hirvonen, Latvalla, etc who all have so much more experience ini rallying to begin with (from a much younger age might I add). IMO he's just a bit too old and unexperienced to get to the top of a discipline which is so different (and probably more demanding) to F1, and maybe he is starting to realize just how hard it is going to be Considering this is his first year of rally competition he has been doing reasonably well IMO despite his many mistakes, but how long would it take for him to get to the level that he would like to be at...or if it would even be realistically possible given his age?

If Kimi does return to F1 I think he would fit in well with the new Renault team. Mclaren have always been rather clinical and controlling of their drivers (not really Kimi's style) as you said, and I think Ferrari was just too much of a charismatic team with too many demands for such a mellow/laid back dude to fit in. Renault on the other hand are in a state of rebuilding and are focusing on bringing in talented drivers (they already have Kubica) as they continue to dramatically improve on their results. It also seems like Renault have been keeping an especially low profile in the media this year, which is something that Kimi likely finds attractive, as he's not one who one bit enjoys being surrounded by drama or controversy

Who knows how this will play out though. I still have a feeling he's had enough of F1 though, so I'll remain a bit pessimistic until I hear something more definite.

 

[Akmuq]

As a massive renault fan, I would love kimi to race for them. There Is still only one driver I want though to be beside kubica. Montoya, it would be an awesome partnership. I think kubica's pace on street circuits show that he has balls and we know that montoya ha made some amazing overtakes before. It would be one of the bet partnerships in f1. Kimi is still good though.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Realistically I think Kimi's chances of ever fighting at the very front of the WRC are slim to none unfortunately, especially as long as someone like Loeb is in the sport, or even Solberg, Ogier, Hirvonen, Latvalla, etc who all have so much more experience ini rallying to begin with (from a much younger age might I add). IMO he's just a bit too old and unexperienced to get to the top of a discipline which is so different (and probably more demanding) to F1, and maybe he is starting to realize just how hard it is going to be Considering this is his first year of rally competition he has been doing reasonably well IMO despite his many mistakes, but how long would it take for him to get to the level that he would like to be at...or if it would even be realistically possible given his age?

IIRC Kimi wasn't "raised" to be an F1 driver, he didn't come up through many of the normal channels, he just naturally is a talented driver with raw pace... at least this is one of the justifications for Mclaren employing him over Quick Nick Heidfeld all those years ago, I would like to think he could emulate that kind of talent in the WRC.. after all, the established players in WRC have to retire sooner or later.. don't they?

And, if being a fan of another ex Mclaren driver who left F1 for a different type of racing, I know how interesting and rewarding it can be following an established driver work his way up the learning curve again... trust me... when victories are few and far between you appreciate them alot more than when there's a good chance they will come every other week...

.. which neatly brings me to..

As a massive renault fan, I would love kimi to race for them. There Is still only one driver I want though to be beside kubica. Montoya, it would be an awesome partnership. I think kubica's pace on street circuits show that he has balls and we know that montoya ha made some amazing overtakes before. It would be one of the bet partnerships in f1. Kimi is still good though.

Interesting scenario, but not ever.. ever, ever. Montoya and F1 are done, he has made that more than clear.

 

[Akmuq]

That's the sad part.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

How do you know when Raikkonen contacted Renault?

The Autosport article on their main page says as much.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

The writer assumes that it was after the Belgian weekend, But the source is only quoted as saying

"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.

"He is on the radar because he contacted us."

They never mention WHEN he contacted Renault though.

Personally id like to see Raikkonen do another year in WRC to see where he will go in that discipline. This is his learning year and next year would give him a much better picture of where he stands there.

 

[Ardius]

The Autosport article on their main page says as much.

:

The writer assumes that it was after the Belgian weekend, But the source is only quoted as saying

They never mention WHEN he contacted Renault though.

This.

Language is a complex thing, the media can imply things that have no evidence or source.
The only implication by Boullier is that Raikkonen contacted Renault before the summer was over "the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests". Which means between Montreal and Spa (or Spain if you count May as part of the summer). Or that could be taken as since the summer has passed, its a bit vague really. Also quoting a Frenchman speaking English and then picking apart his words is subject to inaccuracy too.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

He'd need another car built for eternal understeer to perform like that.

It seemed more of a case of mentally quitting. If he was as good as he was in the past, he should have driven around the issue and gathered another championship.

 

[The Outlaw]

A new artiicle a found on PlanetF1:

Kimi Raikkonen's manager admits the Finn has spoken with Renault but that doesn't mean he's definitely set on a F1 return.

Earlier this week, Renault's team boss Eric Boullier told Autosport that Raikkonen is "is on the radar" for next season, adding that the former World Champion is there "because he contacted us."

And although Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson did revealed that he had been the one to speak to Renault, that doesn't mean the Citroen Junior rally driver is heading there next season.

"It is true that I spoke with Boullier," Robertson told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. "We want to explore all the possible options for next year so Kimi and I asked what Renault are doing."

Robertson, though, did admit that another season in the World Rally Championship is Raikkonen's most likely option.

"At this time the media world is littered with a variety of rumours. Some even say that Kimi could go to the NASCAR series but that is certainly not an option."

 

[bjosim]

I think Kimi is extremely talented, but i question his motivation though... Just look at the difference in performance in his two years with Ferrari. Although, maybe a year off was just the thing he needed to get back in form.

 

[UN_OC]

I'd love to see kimi back...
Until raikkonen mentioned it I was hoping petrov would stay... but not anymore.


If petrov had done half as well as kubica.. in points... then renault wouold be 4th and mercedes 5th. That would give renault more money at the end of the season. Petrov isn'ta pay driver anymore next season and so money wise, even if raikkone is quite a bit more (which he will be), reanult have more money to pay him. Added to that Raikkonen will ensure that if the car is good he can challenge for the title probs and definately wins. He is after all better than kubica (don't fight, this is fact) and kubica has scored several podiums.


And key point is renault sales.. If renault take back part of the team, then they have to look at who sells more renault megane's. PEtrov helps open a russian market while raikkonen would help sell renault as the sporty french manafacture (against the citerons). I'd say raikkonen slightly ahead here.

constructors title - Renault can't beat a newey developed redbull withwebber and vettel AND a mclarenw ith two world champions at the wheel AND a ferrari with alonso and sohuld be world champion and bloody pissed bloke massa With only kubica and spinsy mcPetrov

Finally, DEVELOPING THE CAR, eddie jordon (exteam owner) and brundle (ex driver) have obth said that renault is being held back slightly by kubica doing 99% of the development work for teh car and is under pressure for that. If kimi joins the load is spread both do less work and both can then focus on winning rather than developing the car with the precious little track time they have.



So basically
Kimi Raikkonen

- Renault Sport VS Citeron
- Challenge for constructors title
- Challenge for the title
- Development of the car both next year and future years
- More money to win

Petrov
- Less paying him


Anyway, I say when I team hires two good drivers they become a different class of team

I always regard Lotus higher than virgin or HRT because they haev 2 good drivers, virgin has 1 and a pay and hrt 4 pay drivers (getting twice the drivers for half the seats in a season with 4 new positions open... it's a miracle!)

Reanult can only challenge mercedes but wont beat them while merc has 2 good drivers and renault only 1.


Overall I think petrov has done meh-ok don't great considering car, but not ****house.. say yammytomato

Hopefully an engine swap deal with lotus means Petrov gets a drive with them OR, he can be there test 3rd driver to remain in the sport until he improves. Lotus have 3 drivers which is too many. And trulli may retire.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If kimi joins the load is spread both do less work and both can then focus on winning rather than developing the car with the precious little track time they have.

Actually, it's been well-documented that Kimi Raikkonen hates testing and development.

 

[UN_OC]

Yes, he hates it, but just because he hates it doesn't mean he doesn't do any of it. He did do some at his many years at McLaren and then at Ferrari. THey do tests and monitor levels during the first and 2nd friday practice sessions.

Because Petrov can barely drive it let alone give consistant laps to compare or have enough experience to give valuable feedback Kubica has to waste time doingit, with a team led by two drivers then both can get it done quickly. F1Fanatic mentioned in a recent article that Felipe will now be doing more testing than Alonso so as to conserve alonsos engines, that only works if Massa can do testings. he can, but if he was petrov then kubica/alnoso would have to be doing it instead.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Sorry, but "Raikkonen can develop the car more" is not a valid argument. If he hates it, he won't be willing to do as much. And in all honesty, going slowly in development is probably better for Renault. They'll have more time to think about what they're doing and they won't rush into it.

And I dispute the notion that Petrov "can barely drive it". If that were the case, he'd be constantly spinning out. Which he clearly isn't. I'd also go back and re-read that article about Massa doing testing. The article doesn't talk about testing and developing the car. It's referring to setup. All Massa has to do is go out and do laps to gather data, cme back in and change some settings, and then go back out, which any driver can do.

 

[UN_OC]

Any drive can go out and do it, but its hard to do it for others and test parts. One of the reasons brundle has said several times and jordon and coulthard have agreeed with that Lotus are ahead is because they have two experienced drivers who can properly setup cars and do the runs consistantly and pushing the car unlike a di grassi or senna or chandhok or petrov...

The other reasons are obviously more money and such but the car can be properly tuned in with twice the time.


Petrov does spin out quite a bit when hes pushing it and sometime when he isn't. Remember race before monza? span cos he wanted to see if water was in the kurbing and didn't catch the slide. THe first few races this year revolved around the mechanics doing repairs on his car after practice or after qualy constantly.




Raikkonen does a bit, is better than petrov. One of the reasons is hard to progress and the gap grows bigger is because a) lakc of funds, although it takes less money to go a bit faster and a lot of money to gl even slightly faster than that, and b) because the car is hard to develop.

Point still stands, someone who is inconsistant in lap times and has no experience is going to be worse at setup and development than someone else.