It's Time to place your bets on Raikkonen

[BoyFerrari]

Let's see who has the inside information from the pit garage.

Some considerations:

1) With Alonso joining McLaren for a long contract, Kimi may have to settle as 2nd fiddle to the world champion for a long time. Kimi is also vocal about the lack of pace with his McLaren car.

2) Kimi can switch to Renault, which is the fastest car on the grid at the moment. But Renault's F1 business seems to have an uncertain future. One reason why Alonso might have bailed out this early.

3) If Schumacher decides to stay for another run with Ferrari, that shouldn't be a problem for Kimi. Michael is nearing retirement. That means being 2nd fiddle will be a short wait for Kimi.

[knight23]

i hope he'll move to ferarri

[niky]

Renault is a questionable destination, but a more solid team than the arguably faster but seemingly jinxed Mclaren. I think Ferrari's car suits Kimi's aggressive style much better.

[hens]

From F1 Live:

Renault is making a last-minute dash to secure the services of 'iceman' Kimi Raikkonen, according to press reports.

Although the 26-year-old was previously linked more strongly with McLaren or Ferrari for 2007 and beyond, Germany's Auto Motor Und Sport magazine reveals this week that Raikkonen secretly met with Flavio Briatore at the Nurburgring.

Reportedly, the Renault principal offered Raikkonen - under contract to McLaren but possibly already with a pre-agreement Ferrari deal - an incredible $143 million for four years, or nearly $36m a year.


Kimi was disappointed with the pace of his McLaren last Sunday at the Nurburgring, saying: "It's not what we want. We're just too slow."

"If Flavio gets the funding it means that Renault has renewed insterest in keeping the string of victories going... which means Alonso might have made a bad move?"

[CVT]

[b]From F1 Live:
"If Flavio gets the funding it means that Renault has renewed insterest in keeping the string of victories going... which means Alonso might have made a bad move?"

Looks like it. I see that the best move for Kimi is to go to either Ferrari or Renault as Mclaren is not in its usual level of competition.

Poor Alonso, from what we are seeing now,- it appears to be a bad move... Well, let's sit back and watch.

[IPSG_SlimShady]

Poor Alonso, from what we are seeing now,- it appears to be a bad move... Well, let's sit back and watch.

I think it was reported that Alonso made the switch to McLaren at the time because Renault was on the brink of axing its F1 program altogether due to corporate cost restructuring brought about by declining sales. Alonso was never given assurance that Renault will still be in F1 by 2007.

When Renault made its commitment to F1 around summer this year, obviously Alonso already made a deal with McLaren. That's why Briatore is wooing Alonso back to Renault (although a remote possibility due to his already inked McLaren contract --- though Renault can buyout his contract if they want to).

[jeff1101]

Poor Alonso, from what we are seeing now,- it appears to be a bad move... Well, let's sit back and watch.

I am beginning to agree with you and with the engine freeze next year, what you see now will probably the status quo next year. Arrrggghhhh....

I personally voted Raikkonen will join Renault, but from the news I am hearing lately, I think I have made a wrong prediction.

[mazdamazda]

hmmm... this is interesting...

but I bet that Ferrari would take him.

staying at McLaren will be a big ego-buster for him. imagine playing second fiddle to Alonso while their driving skills are just at par.

[BoyFerrari]

staying at McLaren will be a big ego-buster for him. imagine playing second fiddle to Alonso while their driving skills are just at par.

We all know that Kimi is gunning for the Season Champ status. And since Alonso has just moved-in, McLaren will definitely build the team around the Spaniard.... for a long time.

There is also news today that Rossi has quit the Formula 1 guessing game and will stick with MotoGP. I think that is a signal that Schumacher may have decided to stick with Ferrari much longer AND Rossi may have been offered a job as a test driver instead (which gives a second signal that perhaps Raikkonen is indeed taking the 2nd race seat in red overalls). Perhaps the plan now is that Rossi will stick it out with MotoGP until Schumacher retires, then partner with Kimi in the future.

[mazdamazda]

poor Massa if Kimi goes to Ferrari...