Raikkonen set to join Ferrari next season

First topic message reminder :

Kimi Raikkonen is on the verge of being confirmed as a Ferrari driver for next year's Formula 1 season.

The Finn's deal to rejoin the team for whom he won the world title in 2007 is said to have been completed on Monday and could be announced imminently.

Raikkonen, 33, will be team-mate to Fernando Alonso, world champion in 2005-6, completing arguably the strongest driver line-up in Formula 1.

The decision would end Brazilian Felipe Massa's eight-year spell at the team.

Kimi Raikkonen set to join Fernando Alonso at Ferrari


Interesting decision by Ferrari.

While having 2 former world champions will undoubtedly give them the strongest line-up of any team, I do wonder how those two will work together.

We all know Alonso is used to being top dog in the team. Can anyone really see Kimi settling for being the new Felipe Massa?

If they choose to switch to an equal driver policy, will we see Fernando thowing his toys out of the cockpit again? Or will he rise to the challenge and drag the team to a new level?

If the team struggle to provide a competitive car next season, will we again witness Kimi skulking around in midfield, only putting in token quick bursts towards the end?

Given the team's development struggles of late, it looks like the bulk of that work will once again be left to Nando and the test/reserve drivers.

Well Massa has been a rear gunner driver for so many years now I'd worry greatly about his ability to drive in any other way. He has lacked the pace and aggression since his accident and for all his experience I'd opt for Hulkenberg or even takew the plunge and bring Kubica back if fit.

I think Massas shown flashes, a fresh start will do him good.

If not, Hulkenburg will be available after his latest 1 year stint at Toro Rosso no doubt.

IMO Hulkenberg is the real deal and think he would do well at Lotus provided they don't fall too far back. In fact a rejuvinated Massa and Hulk would be a very good pairing - but won't happen because of who manages Groj.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Sorry John but I must disagree on a number of points. Just because Ferrari (it appears) will have two top drivers next year it is no guarantee they will close the gap on Red Bull - for evidence of that look at Button and Hamilton line-up at McLaren. As for the development side so Ferrari have James Allison but you are overlooking that Red Bull have Adrian Newey - the king of designers with world title designed cars at multiple teams. He, to F1 car design, is the master of his art - unparalleled so Red Bull have the upper hand in that area as well. The Ferrari hasn't exactly delivered high performance this year so it would be clutching at straws to think they will have it next year but will concede KERS issues in Webber's Red Bull this year may manifest itself again next year for RB and if so that may hinder them slightly.

Have to agree with this. On top of that, 2014 is a big change so regardless of the drivers they have piloting their cars, unless they get the design right and as close to the beginning of the season, if not from the first race, it'll mean nothing.

Critical_mass wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Sorry John but I must disagree on a number of points. Just because Ferrari (it appears) will have two top drivers next year it is no guarantee they will close the gap on Red Bull - for evidence of that look at Button and Hamilton line-up at McLaren. As for the development side so Ferrari have James Allison but you are overlooking that Red Bull have Adrian Newey - the king of designers with world title designed cars at multiple teams. He, to F1 car design, is the master of his art - unparalleled so Red Bull have the upper hand in that area as well. The Ferrari hasn't exactly delivered high performance this year so it would be clutching at straws to think they will have it next year but will concede KERS issues in Webber's Red Bull this year may manifest itself again next year for RB and if so that may hinder them slightly.

Have to agree with this. On top of that, 2014 is a big change so regardless of the drivers they have piloting their cars, unless they get the design right and as close to the beginning of the season, if not from the first race, it'll mean nothing.

McLaren had the fastest car in F1 for the last half of the season, mainly in the hands of Hamilton but even Button picked up multiple wins. If it wasn't for the atrocious, amateurish pit-stops and appalling reliability issues, McLaren could of won the title. Yeah, Newey is a genius, we all know that but he's not invincible. McLaren made a catastrophic error in changing the design of their car this year and they've paid the price. I'm just saying, that with new rules and regulations for 2014, it's not a certainty that RB will dominate and that Ferrari signing two world class drivers is a step, not a guaranteed successful step I agree, but one in the right direction. I think Mercedes will push on next year & with Byrne & Allison at Ferrari, pressure on Newey will again be high to reproduce the goods.

John wrote:

Critical_mass wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Sorry John but I must disagree on a number of points. Just because Ferrari (it appears) will have two top drivers next year it is no guarantee they will close the gap on Red Bull - for evidence of that look at Button and Hamilton line-up at McLaren. As for the development side so Ferrari have James Allison but you are overlooking that Red Bull have Adrian Newey - the king of designers with world title designed cars at multiple teams. He, to F1 car design, is the master of his art - unparalleled so Red Bull have the upper hand in that area as well. The Ferrari hasn't exactly delivered high performance this year so it would be clutching at straws to think they will have it next year but will concede KERS issues in Webber's Red Bull this year may manifest itself again next year for RB and if so that may hinder them slightly.

Have to agree with this. On top of that, 2014 is a big change so regardless of the drivers they have piloting their cars, unless they get the design right and as close to the beginning of the season, if not from the first race, it'll mean nothing.

McLaren had the fastest car in F1 for the last half of the season, mainly in the hands of Hamilton but even Button picked up multiple wins. If it wasn't for the atrocious, amateurish pit-stops and appalling reliability issues, McLaren could of won the title. Yeah, Newey is a genius, we all know that but he's not invincible. McLaren made a catastrophic error in changing the design of their car this year and they've paid the price. I'm just saying, that with new rules and regulations for 2014, it's not a certainty that RB will dominate and that Ferrari signing two world class drivers is a step, not a guaranteed successful step I agree, but one in the right direction. I think Mercedes will push on next year & with Byrne & Allison at Ferrari, pressure on Newey will again be high to reproduce the goods.

Ive always been suprised about why Mclaren changed their design. I mean everyone knew 2014 was the regs change. So why didnt mclaren use the 2012 car with minor changes. Unless of course they're just testing things for next years car - like the push rod system.

Further to Ferrari's effort to close the gap on RB/Newey is that they have boosted its technical structure with the signing of Lotus' head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer. Lotus have seen James Allison also leave for Ferrari & last year they lost aerodynamic man Mike Elliot, who was a key integral part of Lotus' design in the past few years. Worrying times for Lotus, hope they don't turn into a spent force over the next couple of years.

Overall, it's a good sign of improvement from Mercedes, with their technical staff & now with Ferrari signing Raikkonen and appointing Allison, de Beer & the returning Byrne. I sense a change of momentum in F1.

Lotus have nicked ferraris aerodynamics guy in return

SteveG wrote:IMO Hulkenberg is the real deal and think he would do well at Lotus provided they don't fall too far back. In fact a rejuvinated Massa and Hulk would be a very good pairing - but won't happen because of who manages Groj.

I think Hulkenberg is possibly under-rated.

He did get that pole for Williams in Brazil a while back and qualified 3rd in Monza, in a Sauber that has looked fairly ordinary this season (only 1/10th off Webber's time).

The guy's got ability and with a good car under him I think he could cause a few surprises.

On the other hand for all his supposed talent, Lotus might be his 4th team in 4 seasons

Yeah but that means nothing. Every F1 driver has a different background and route to the top. Hamilton got thrown in the deep end with a top team, Alonso started at Minardi & Kimi at Sauber for etc. Hulkenberg has been treated quite bad, why did he get dropped from FI, when he beat Di resta? Also financially, Sauber are in a mess and need to move Hulkenberg on so they can get sirotkin & gutierrez who bring the money.

Hulkenberg is hugely talented, however he could be once again on the end of some bad move advice. Lotus have lost alot of technical talent and could be starting to move away from the top boys. F1 is all about luck & timing, unfortunately Nico has had neither as of yet.

Massa has been contacted by Lotus and McLaren.

just wipe off mclaren and just put lotus, never going to mclaren. we should just say vettel is talking to caterham.....

What did I do?  

Bull wrote:What did I do?  

  Don't worry. John can be a little abrupt at times. You get used to him after a while...

I think McLaren realise their main issues right now lie with the car, so they're probably more interested in getting those sorted out, before they start re-evaluating their driver line-up.

John wrote:F1 is all about luck & timing, unfortunately Nico has had neither as of yet.

Too true. Pay driver culture cut short his career at Williams and Sauber has been a disaster. Had he stayed with FI and put in some stella drives early in the seaon (before they changed the tyres) and was ahead of Diresta for a second tme then no doubt his stock would be higher.

Sorry Bull, as dyrewolf says, I can be a little abrupt at times. I apologise. I just had to laugh at the McLaren/Massa rumour....ridiculous. I honestly think if Lotus went for Massa, that is a huge step backwards in my opinion. Hulkenberg is there for the taking and is the superior long term option with huge untapped potential. No brainer for me.

Alonso and raikonen will be a force if the Ferrari is competitive.

Now McLaren want Alonso. Can't really see for a number of reasons, chief among then McLarens car at present and Button still around

GSC wrote:Now McLaren want Alonso. Can't really see for a number of reasons, chief among then McLarens car at present and Button still around

Think they're just putting out feelers at present...making their interest known and that they're aware of his situation at Ferrari. Would agree though that they'd need to be able to demonstrate a marked improvement in next season's car or else I doubt he'd be interesed.

If they could get him, I don't think they'd consider Button's feelings too much. They'd probably try or "officially" operate an equal driver policy, but you'd have to think Alonso would at least unofficially be the No.1 driver.

Alonso and Perez would've made more sense to me.

Perez #2 and brings cash to fill the hole in their budget from this cars performance

Good point GSC. Of course, that would leave Button looking for a drive...somewhere like Force India, (back to) Williams or Sauber?

Button re upped didnt he?

Sauber probably