503 replies to this topic

[tifosi too!]

What Kimi has to say!
I believe he verifies Brad more than me, but he insists the agreement with Ferrari to end his contract early was mutual!
I can only believe that if he is planning to retire...


from http://www.formula1....9/10/10024.html



Even though he�s known for some time that 2009 will be his last season with Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen was unexpectedly emotional when speaking about it in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday, giving one of the longest interviews of his entire career. However, the Finn, who will be replaced by Fernando Alonso next year, remained pretty tight-lipped about his future plans, refusing to reveal whether rumours of a return to McLaren are accurate�

Q: Kimi, you had good times at Ferrari, won a championship and now it�s all over. How do you feel about that?
Kimi Raikkonen: Well, let�s face it, in the end I have achieved what I wanted - I�ve won a championship. I�ve worked with them for the last three years and now things have changed. It�s not the first time that it has happened in Formula One and surely won�t be the last time. That�s all I want to say.

Q: But how did Ferrari convince you to end the relationship. You had a contract for 2010 with them?
KR: There are many reasons. You should ask them. But in Formula One, even if you have a contract, there is always a lot of money involved, so there can always be different options in life. That�s obviously what happened. Sure, there is not only one reason for what has happened, that�s why everybody decided to end up in this position.

Q: You had a contract for next year and have done your best over the last three year, winning one championship. Do you feel you�ve been unfairly treated?
KR: I�m still happy with what I�ve done and I think I will have a good future. Sure, if you sign a contract you finish it, but obviously it didn�t work out. Overall I�m okay with it.

Q: How long ago did you know you won�t race for Ferrari in 2010?
KR: For quite a while now.

Q: Are you okay with the solution you�ve found?
KR: Yeah.

Q: There are a number of options open to you for the future. One of them is returning to McLaren. Could you imagine going back? Would you enjoy it there again?
KR: I have nothing bad to say about them as we always had a good relationship, and of course it�s a chance. But honestly I haven�t thought too much about these things, but in time I will make my decision. I will let you know!

Q: Are you a bit frustrated with Ferrari this season?
KR: I don't think anyone expected Ferrari to have this kind of season, which turned out to be so difficult. But this can happen in Formula One sometimes, when you don't deliver a car capable of getting us to the front, but this is just one year and we will wait and see what happens next.

Q: Renault said that they will make their announcement next week. Could they be an option and have you talked to them?
KR: No, not with them.

Q: If you could do it all over again would you do anything differently?
KR: Would I have made different decisions? No. I am happy about what I have done, but sure if you look back in hindsight you probably would have done different things. But that�s easy to say afterwards. Regarding my contracts, no I would not have changed anything.

Q: What did you give to Ferrari and what did Ferrari give to you in the last three years?
KR: I�ve achieved with them what I always wanted to achieve. We had good times, of course, but we also had difficult times. But that�s part of the whole business. Sometimes you have good moments and sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and carry on. Overall I have happy memories of my time with the team. I have won a championship and the team has won two. That is something that nobody can take away.

Q: You have seemed to have had ups and downs. Did you always give 100 percent or have there been moments where you lacked motivation?
KR: No, there has never been a lack of motivation. All the stories came from the media - basically you guys. I never had any motivation problems. Sure if you have good results life tends to be easier, but then these things happen.

Q: Many times before you�ve said that Ferrari will be your last team. Have you changed your mind or were you forced to change your mind?
KR: Like I said, there have been many options around and what happened now is just one of them. I think in the end I am happy with what happened, otherwise I would not have done the deal with them. For the moment I have not decided if I want to continue racing, or what I want to do. Before I had a contract for 2010, now not anymore. That changes things. Maybe I�ll race, maybe I won�t.

Q: What are the chances of you going rallying now?
KR: There is chance, but there is also chance of racing in Formula One. For sure I will decide before the start of the next season what I am going to do.

Q: Did you ask Ferrari why Fernando and not me, or why Felipe Massa and not me? Did you get a satisfying answer?
KR: I know more or less the reasons and it has nothing to do with my racing or anything I�m doing in the team. It�s just purely another reason.

Q: How much has your departure to do with the arrival of Santander?
KR: For that you�ll have to ask the team.

Q: Wherever destiny takes you, do you hope to fight with Fernando for another world title?
KR: If I decide to go with a team next year, I am surely not going with any of the small teams, as that will never give me the chance to fight for the championship. And if I�m not able to fight for the championship, there will be no reason for me to be in Formula One.

[Jean Todt]

Go to Macca Kimi go to Macca..

[JHS]

Ahh, I see what Toyota are doing here. Chasing Kimi and Kubica! Now that would be a stronge line-up, however hardly cost cutting is it?

[Jean Todt]

JHS, on 02 October 2009 - 05:48 PM, said:

Ahh, I see what Toyota are doing here. Chasing Kimi and Kubica! Now that would be a stronge line-up, however hardly cost cutting is it?

I don't think Kimi will go to Toyota though...If Bmw were there then there would have been a chance. Some years back Toyota were willing to pay him even more than Ferrari were ready....according to the rumours though.

[Schumikonen]

tifosi too!, on 02 October 2009 - 05:17 PM, said:

What Kimi has to say!
I believe he verifies Brad more than me, but he insists the agreement with Ferrari to end his contract early was mutual!
I can only believe that if he is planning to retire...


from http://www.formula1....9/10/10024.html



Even though he�s known for some time that 2009 will be his last season with Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen was unexpectedly emotional when speaking about it in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday, giving one of the longest interviews of his entire career. However, the Finn, who will be replaced by Fernando Alonso next year, remained pretty tight-lipped about his future plans, refusing to reveal whether rumours of a return to McLaren are accurate�

Q: Kimi, you had good times at Ferrari, won a championship and now it�s all over. How do you feel about that?
Kimi Raikkonen: Well, let�s face it, in the end I have achieved what I wanted - I�ve won a championship. I�ve worked with them for the last three years and now things have changed. It�s not the first time that it has happened in Formula One and surely won�t be the last time. That�s all I want to say.

Q: But how did Ferrari convince you to end the relationship. You had a contract for 2010 with them?
KR: There are many reasons. You should ask them. But in Formula One, even if you have a contract, there is always a lot of money involved, so there can always be different options in life. That�s obviously what happened. Sure, there is not only one reason for what has happened, that�s why everybody decided to end up in this position.

Q: You had a contract for next year and have done your best over the last three year, winning one championship. Do you feel you�ve been unfairly treated?
KR: I�m still happy with what I�ve done and I think I will have a good future. Sure, if you sign a contract you finish it, but obviously it didn�t work out. Overall I�m okay with it.

Q: How long ago did you know you won�t race for Ferrari in 2010?
KR: For quite a while now.

Q: Are you okay with the solution you�ve found?
KR: Yeah.

Q: There are a number of options open to you for the future. One of them is returning to McLaren. Could you imagine going back? Would you enjoy it there again?
KR: I have nothing bad to say about them as we always had a good relationship, and of course it�s a chance. But honestly I haven�t thought too much about these things, but in time I will make my decision. I will let you know!

Q: Are you a bit frustrated with Ferrari this season?
KR: I don't think anyone expected Ferrari to have this kind of season, which turned out to be so difficult. But this can happen in Formula One sometimes, when you don't deliver a car capable of getting us to the front, but this is just one year and we will wait and see what happens next.

Q: Renault said that they will make their announcement next week. Could they be an option and have you talked to them?
KR: No, not with them.

Q: If you could do it all over again would you do anything differently?
KR: Would I have made different decisions? No. I am happy about what I have done, but sure if you look back in hindsight you probably would have done different things. But that�s easy to say afterwards. Regarding my contracts, no I would not have changed anything.

Q: What did you give to Ferrari and what did Ferrari give to you in the last three years?
KR: I�ve achieved with them what I always wanted to achieve. We had good times, of course, but we also had difficult times. But that�s part of the whole business. Sometimes you have good moments and sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and carry on. Overall I have happy memories of my time with the team. I have won a championship and the team has won two. That is something that nobody can take away.

Q: You have seemed to have had ups and downs. Did you always give 100 percent or have there been moments where you lacked motivation?
KR: No, there has never been a lack of motivation. All the stories came from the media - basically you guys. I never had any motivation problems. Sure if you have good results life tends to be easier, but then these things happen.

Q: Many times before you�ve said that Ferrari will be your last team. Have you changed your mind or were you forced to change your mind?
KR: Like I said, there have been many options around and what happened now is just one of them. I think in the end I am happy with what happened, otherwise I would not have done the deal with them. For the moment I have not decided if I want to continue racing, or what I want to do. Before I had a contract for 2010, now not anymore. That changes things. Maybe I�ll race, maybe I won�t.

Q: What are the chances of you going rallying now?
KR: There is chance, but there is also chance of racing in Formula One. For sure I will decide before the start of the next season what I am going to do.

Q: Did you ask Ferrari why Fernando and not me, or why Felipe Massa and not me? Did you get a satisfying answer?
KR: I know more or less the reasons and it has nothing to do with my racing or anything I�m doing in the team. It�s just purely another reason.

Q: How much has your departure to do with the arrival of Santander?
KR: For that you�ll have to ask the team.

Q: Wherever destiny takes you, do you hope to fight with Fernando for another world title?
KR: If I decide to go with a team next year, I am surely not going with any of the small teams, as that will never give me the chance to fight for the championship. And if I�m not able to fight for the championship, there will be no reason for me to be in Formula One.

After reading this I keep thnking the same, just like he said this has nothing to do with his racing adn I still think he wants to continue in F1 but only if he can get a winning team like Mclaren.

[Quiet One]

Schumikonen, on 02 October 2009 - 06:15 PM, said:

After reading this I keep thnking the same, just like he said this has nothing to do with his racing adn I still think he wants to continue in F1 but only if he can get a winning team like Mclaren.

Let's see...LdM hinted that Alonso is better than Kimi. Then, Domenicali. Then, Schumi. Now:

Quote

�Ferrari, after [Michael] Schumacher [left], put everything on Raikkonen, but Kimi had some problems after the first year � he is not very fast. In the last two years, especially before his big accident, Massa was stronger than Raikkonen. Maybe for that reason Ferrari decided to keep Massa � and also to give [him] another chance after his bad luck in Hungary.

�They needed another top driver, and Alonso is a two-time world champion. He beat Michael for the last two years of his career, and I think in Italy all the F1 fans are very excited about Alonso and Ferrari.�

That comes from Valentino Rossi, nontheless. http://www.totalf1.c..._not_very_fast/

Don't think for a minute that I am enjoying this because I am not.

But yeah, I am.

[JHS]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 09:19 PM, said:

That comes from Valentino Rossi, nontheless. http://www.totalf1.c..._not_very_fast/

Don't think for a minute that I am enjoying this because I am not.

But yeah, I am.

Big talk from a man who's never raced in F1. I'm a Vale supporter, but he needs to shut his mouth in this seeing as he'd know **** all about it. Bikes and cars are two very different forms of racing.

Edited by JHS, 02 October 2009 - 10:06 PM.

[Quiet One]

JHS, on 02 October 2009 - 10:06 PM, said:

Big talk from a man who's never raced in F1. I'm a Vale supporter, but he needs to shut his mouth in this seeing as he'd know **** all about it. Bikes and cars are two very different forms of racing.

Big talk from a man who never raced in MotoGP. Or F1.

Have you?

[Schumikonen]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 09:19 PM, said:

Let's see...LdM hinted that Alonso is better than Kimi. Then, Domenicali. Then, Schumi. Now:



That comes from Valentino Rossi, nontheless. http://www.totalf1.c..._not_very_fast/

Don't think for a minute that I am enjoying this because I am not.

But yeah, I am.

those are three Ferrari related persons talking about their new decision, do you really think they are going to tell everyone they chose a worse driver than Kimi just because of money? you are so naive which is almost the same as saying that you are an Alonso's fan.

Edited by Schumikonen, 03 October 2009 - 12:00 AM.

[BradSpeedMan]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 09:19 PM, said:

That comes from Valentino Rossi, nontheless. http://www.totalf1.c..._not_very_fast/

Don't think for a minute that I am enjoying this because I am not.

But yeah, I am.

It is now confirmed that this guy is on heavy drugs... I mean, where was he last year???

[BradSpeedMan]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 09:19 PM, said:

Let's see...LdM hinted that Alonso is better than Kimi. Then, Domenicali. Then, Schumi. Now:

wel, they're not going to sign a guy and admit the guy they dropped is faster...

very bright from them

[BradSpeedMan]

tifosi too!, on 02 October 2009 - 04:17 PM, said:

The car was good, but it didn't really set the world on fire!
There was very little between the two cars (Ferrari, Mclaren).

Personally I expected more from Kimi and I bet many others too! I wouldn't be surprised if his performance was the reason he lost the drive, but I 'm pretty sure that, as everything in life, it had to do with money as well!  

Don't get me wrong Brad! I like Kimi, but I just can't justify him for not fighting for poles and victories. These last few races he seems to be on form and I hope he keeps it!

well, Kimi don't seem to agree, and he's as straight as anyone you get. Yes, his performances did'nt help in 2008 but it is blatanly clear that it was more sponsor than performances....

let's call a truce then

[Grabthaw the Hammerslayer]

BradSpeedMan, on 02 October 2009 - 07:24 AM, said:

you always make me smile although I'm furious at the moment

Thanks and sorry Brad. Don't mean to make you furious.

The thing about Kimi is that I really want to like him and I agree when on form, he is amazing. But the problem is those three words: "when on form".

He's too damn inconsistent and this has coloured my view. I find myself thinking that he lucked into the WDC. Now that is harsh, but you know what I mean.

I guess I want him to be Mika Hakkinen, who I really liked. But he's not and I don't think he is as good either.

I feel the same way about Button too. Nice guy but does he deserve the WDC....? Hmmmm.

IMHO The only two current drivers who look and drive like WDCs now are Alonso and Hamilton (now). Vettel is knocking on the door, but needs some more experience.

[JHS]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 10:27 PM, said:

Big talk from a man who never raced in MotoGP. Or F1.

Have you?

No, I never said I did. It's just F1 and MotoGP are two completey different things. You can't make any observations comparing the two. Kimi certainly ISN'T slow, as the definition for said word is "not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time; "a slow walker";"the slow lane of traffic"; "her steps were slow"; "he was slow inreacting ..." (taken from Google define) and if Kimi wasn't moving quickly, he'd be the back of the grid everytime. But as it is, he isn't slow, so he isn't at the back of the grid. Simple logic.

And neither have you for that matter.

[Schumikonen]

BradSpeedMan, on 03 October 2009 - 07:22 AM, said:

well, Kimi don't seem to agree, and he's as straight as anyone you get. Yes, his performances did'nt help in 2008 but it is blatanly clear that it was more sponsor than performances....

let's call a truce then

Before the truce let me add this, Tifosi recognized that Kimi had been on form in the last races I will add to that that he did it knowing that he would not be in the team next year, in the Q & A he said he knew for quite a while, so his latter from has nothing to do with trying to keep his seat, maybe he is trying to get a top team now but tehn it doesn't make sense try to be in a team and not doing the job, I think his underperformance has more to do with the car and driving stile than with his driving skills or motivation to drive.

[Schumikonen]

JHS, on 03 October 2009 - 01:58 PM, said:

No, I never said I did. It's just F1 and MotoGP are two completey different things. You can't make any observations comparing the two. Kimi certainly ISN'T slow, as the definition for said word is "not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time; "a slow walker";"the slow lane of traffic"; "her steps were slow"; "he was slow inreacting ..." (taken from Google define) and if Kimi wasn't moving quickly, he'd be the back of the grid everytime. But as it is, he isn't slow, so he isn't at the back of the grid. Simple logic.

And neither have you for that matter.

Badoer and Fisichella have just shown that Kimi is not slow adn those words from the team, that Kimi is taking the F60 to do things that the wasn't suppose to do (in the possitive way) in other words, Rossi is an idiot and the transitive property will be apply to all those who believe what he said.

[Rainmaster]

lewisthegreat2, on 02 October 2009 - 01:51 AM, said:

It's back it's back it's back it's back it's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!  Oh how _excited_  I am.

I need new hobbies.

I suggest you get a man crush on Liam, like me.

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 09:19 PM, said:

Let's see...LdM hinted that Alonso is better than Kimi. Then, Domenicali. Then, Schumi. Now:



That comes from Valentino Rossi, nontheless. http://www.totalf1.c..._not_very_fast/

Don't think for a minute that I am enjoying this because I am not.

But yeah, I am.

Kimi is many things but being slow has never been his problem Rossi usually speaks very wisely no matter what he is asked, in that article he said Kimi was "not very fast" after the first year, he means he was slower than Massa and that is true enough.

I might remind you, Sir, that before Alonso moved to Macca we had many celebrations from Alonso fans and other people too, it's funny to see people make the same mistakes and assumptions. Remember that Alonso is entering a team in a similar situation to Macca, no team orders written into any contracts, and there is a driver there who is fast and loved by Ferrari. You can gloat after Alonso beats Massa to the world title, otherwise your tempting fate

Schumikonen, on 02 October 2009 - 11:59 PM, said:

those are three Ferrari related persons talking about their new decision, do you really think they are going to tell everyone they chose a worse driver than Kimi just because of money? you are so naive which is almost the same as saying that you are an Alonso's fan.

That's also true!

[Jean Todt]

El Maestro, on 03 October 2009 - 04:36 PM, said:

Kimi is many things but being slow has never been his problem Rossi usually speaks very wisely no matter what he is asked, in that article he said Kimi was "not very fast" after the first year, he means he was slower than Massa and that is true enough.

I might remind you, Sir, that before Alonso moved to Macca we had many celebrations from Alonso fans and other people too, it's funny to see people make the same mistakes and assumptions. Remember that Alonso is entering a team in a similar situation to Macca, no team orders written into any contracts, and there is a driver there who is fast and loved by Ferrari. You can gloat after Alonso beats Massa to the world title, otherwise your tempting fate

Well said George..

[Jean Todt]

Schumikonen, on 02 October 2009 - 11:59 PM, said:

those are three Ferrari related persons talking about their new decision, do you really think they are going to tell everyone they chose a worse driver than Kimi just because of money? you are so naive which is almost the same as saying that you are an Alonso's fan.

Well said Priest.

[Jean Todt]

Schumikonen, on 03 October 2009 - 02:20 PM, said:

Before the truce let me add this, Tifosi recognized that Kimi had been on form in the last races I will add to that that he did it knowing that he would not be in the team next year, in the Q & A he said he knew for quite a while, so his latter from has nothing to do with trying to keep his seat, maybe he is trying to get a top team now but tehn it doesn't make sense try to be in a team and not doing the job, I think his underperformance has more to do with the car and driving stile than with his driving skills or motivation to drive.

Hmm.....you are right,

But I don't think he suddenly started driving better because he had to keep the job or hunt for a new job, it could be simply because Ferrari were focusing more on Kimi's direction and making sure the car suited him...Its just my thought...That may be the reason he was able to do better due to Massa's absence....and even Schumi's too..I didn't notice Schumi lurking around much after Massa was injured..

[Quiet One]

El Maestro, on 03 October 2009 - 04:36 PM, said:

Kimi is many things but being slow has never been his problem Rossi usually speaks very wisely no matter what he is asked, in that article he said Kimi was "not very fast" after the first year, he means he was slower than Massa and that is true enough.

I might remind you, Sir, that before Alonso moved to Macca we had many celebrations from Alonso fans and other people too, it's funny to see people make the same mistakes and assumptions. Remember that Alonso is entering a team in a similar situation to Macca, no team orders written into any contracts, and there is a driver there who is fast and loved by Ferrari. You can gloat after Alonso beats Massa to the world title, otherwise your tempting fate

This was aimed at our little fanboi army here, Mr.George. Of course I do not think Rossi's comments have any value. I am very critical of Kimi, but speed is not one of his weak spots.

You should've known me better by know!

[Rainmaster]

Quiet One, on 03 October 2009 - 08:14 PM, said:

This was aimed at our little fanboi army here, Mr.George. Of course I do not think Rossi's comments have any value. I am very critical of Kimi, but speed is not one of his weak spots.

You should've known me better by know!

Oh I thought you were just stirring things up a bit, my reply was aimed at all the people who do believe that stuff

[mikathegreat2]

OK I actually read the interview & he seems not to know about anything! How boring!

[Quiet One]

El Maestro, on 03 October 2009 - 08:19 PM, said:

Oh I thought you were just stirring things up a bit, my reply was aimed at all the people who do believe that stuff

You dirty worthless b#####d!

(Of course, that insult was not aimed at you. It was aimed at people who believes I could insult you like that! Can you imagine?)

[Schumikonen]

abbas_gear, on 03 October 2009 - 07:46 PM, said:

Hmm.....you are right,

But I don't think he suddenly started driving better because he had to keep the job or hunt for a new job, it could be simply because Ferrari were focusing more on Kimi's direction and making sure the car suited him...Its just my thought...That may be the reason he was able to do better due to Massa's absence....and even Schumi's too..I didn't notice Schumi lurking around much after Massa was injured..

that makes a lot of sense and if that is the case and he stays in F1 2010 will be a year to remember.

[Schumikonen]

Quiet One, on 03 October 2009 - 09:54 PM, said:

You dirty worthless b#####d!

(Of course, that insult was not aimed at you. It was aimed at people who believes I could insult you like that! Can you imagine?)

where is this going to end? I am already waiting to see the answer to this one.

[lewisthegreat2]

Quiet One, on 02 October 2009 - 10:27 PM, said:

Big talk from a man who never raced in MotoGP. Or F1.

Have you?

Yes, he has.  JHS stands for John H. Surtees, you know

[mikathegreat2]

lewisthegreat2, on 04 October 2009 - 01:57 AM, said:

Yes, he has.  JHS stands for John H. Surtees, you know

Now there's a conspiracy theory!

Edited by mikathegreat2, 04 October 2009 - 04:31 AM.

[lewisthegreat2]

mikathegreat2, on 04 October 2009 - 04:30 AM, said:

Now there's a conspiracy theory!

Have you seen his avatar?  Thinks that make you go "hmmm..."

[mikathegreat2]

lewisthegreat2, on 04 October 2009 - 03:46 PM, said:

Have you seen his avatar?  Thinks that make you go "hmmm..."

Just thought that it was a tribute to a youngster with so much potential!