It's Time to place your bets on Raikkonen

**BoyFerrari** · May 14th, 2006 05:22 AM

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** · May 14th, 2006 06:53 PM

i hope he'll move to ferarri

**niky** · May 14th, 2006 06:57 PM

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** · May 14th, 2006 07:03 PM

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?"

**mazdamazda** · May 24th, 2006 12:05 PM

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** · May 25th, 2006 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by mazdamazda

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** · May 25th, 2006 09:59 AM

poor Massa if Kimi goes to Ferrari...

**XTO** · May 25th, 2006 10:22 AM

schumi will be the world champ this year then retires. kimi will move to ferrari. alonzo to mc laren next year and the old mc laren - ferrari battle will start anew.

**aceshark** · May 25th, 2006 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by xto

schumi will be the world champ this year then retires. kimi will move to ferrari. alonzo to mc laren next year and the old mc laren - ferrari battle will start anew.

magdilang anghel ka sana bro... yan din ang pinapanalangin ko.