Silly season 2013-14

[mikhailv]

Is raikkonen over-pricing himself? There has to be a reason RBR didnt take him, they like low pay with generous performance bonuses. Lotus have said they wont break the bank for him. Will Ferrari really want to pay him a fortune too?

[Ferrariman60]

I don't think that this Räikkönen to Ferrari deal would work out. Ferrari have this philosophy which goes back a very long time, but really came to the fore during the Schumacher-Barrichello era. Ferrari like to have a definitive number 1 who is always in contention for race and championship wins as well as a much more lackluster number 2 who can be relied upon to regularly score points, as well as to win a race or two on occasion. In this way, Ferrari, when they have a good car, secure their Constructors' Title whilst simultaneously protecting their number 1 from any serious threats on his way to the Drivers' Championship. In recent years, Ferrari have not done so well in perpetuating this philosophy; they've still had definitive number one drivers (Räikkönen in 2007 and 2009, Alonso since 2010) but their cars haven't been the quickest. Due to their speed defecit (which one can presume to continue into 2014), it really dosen't matter that Alonso is preferred over Massa as neither driver is performing miracles in the underperforming F138, although Alonso has clearly outshined his teammate. If Räikkönen were to make a return to Maranello, he and Alonso would almost certainly bump heads due to both drivers being on par with each other in terms of pace and skill, and this would likely present a managerial challenge for the Scuderia; Alonso and Räikkönen would both want that number 1 position, and neither man is likely to yield to the other. Furthermore, if the new 2014 car continues the trend of the most recent Ferrari monoposti, the team still won't be at the front and would now have the added drama of an intra-team struggle.

If the Räikkönen return does happen, I believe that Ferrari would need to change up the way they do things: support both drivers equally and allow them to race each other à la McLaren for the sake of the overall constructors' points haul at the end of the season. Everybody knows that Ferrari is Ferrari because of their racing pedigree, and that pedigree is only maintained when Ferrari are winning. Throwing all of their support behind one man isn't going to work out if their car isn't light years ahead of the pack, and two chances per race to score a victory are better than one.

[mikhailv]

I agree. Though Ferrari did enforce equal policy between Alonso and Massa in 2010, and even in Australia they didnt order felipe out the way. I think with Raikkonen it would be fair game, and I do believe both Kimi and Fernando WOULD support the other if requested.

[donald29]

The bit on Renault and Lotus here is quite interesting.

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/08/ ... been-gone/

[Ferrariman60]

I agree. Though Ferrari did enforce equal policy between Alonso and Massa in 2010, and even in Australia they didnt order felipe out the way. I think with Raikkonen it would be fair game, and I do believe both Kimi and Fernando WOULD support the other if requested.

Alonso and Räkkönen certainly are both VERY professional team-players, I'm just not sure that Kimi would want to go into a new contract knowing that playing second-fiddle was a likely possibility. I know I for sure wouldn't!

[Joey Zyla]

If both drivers get equal treatment Alonso will still cream Raikkonen anyway.

[iceman1]

Heikki Kulta says Kimi will stay at Lotus.

So he was linked to Red Bull and Ferrari, and now he decided to stay with Lotus?

Well, Lotus is a good option, better than Red Bull from my point of view.

[tderias]

Clock ticking down for the Brazilian! And I have to say Spa and Monza aren't his strongest tracks:
http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/88825 ... lipe-Massa

[donald29]

This is Massa's eighth season with Ferrari. They know what they get with him, his future is not going to hang on whether he has a good 2 races or not!

[mikhailv]

Massa has had 3 seasons too many IMO.

[Joey Zyla]

Hopefully Sauber take him.

[mikhailv]

Hopefully Sauber take him.

No chance. Sirtokin guaranteed, hulkenberg leaving i bet. Gutierrez staying too. Why would massa do a Barrichello? He should leave gracefully instead of tarnish himself more

[Joey Zyla]

Hopefully Sauber take him.

No chance. Sirtokin guaranteed, hulkenberg leaving i bet. Gutierrez staying too. Why would massa do a Barrichello? He should leave gracefully instead of tarnish himself more

[mikhailv]

Its true. Honda and Brawn, ok. Williams he was good and he shouldnt have been replaced but he shouldve just gone before going backwards and falling victim to the rise of the paydriver

[mikhailv]

not resigned Button yet. Alonso to mclaren!?

;D