Kimi Raikkonen to quit F1 after 2015

**bjohnsonsmith** · 4 Jul 2014, 00:13 (Ref:3430093)

Kimi Raikkonen to quit F1 after 2015.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/114785

Armco Bender · 4 Jul 2014, 00:16 (Ref:3430094)

Always better to leave before you are pushed.

321Go · 4 Jul 2014, 02:07 (Ref:3430125)

No. Kimi will not quit F1 after 2015.
He probably won't be driving F1 in 2015!

JacobP · 4 Jul 2014, 02:50 (Ref:3430135)

Another victim of Ferrari's alpha male.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 4 Jul 2014, 06:56 (Ref:3430168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobP

Another victim of Ferrari's alpha male.

Saying that, his luck has only been matched by Vettel, and he's F1's oldest competitor. His attitude is certainly a "been-there-done-that" sort as well...

...but yes, I dislike Alonso to say the least...

JacobP · 4 Jul 2014, 07:28 (Ref:3430177)

I remember how in 2012-13 people were arguing that Massa was decent driver and that anyone else whom Ferrari can hire to replace Massa would not be much better. Maybe they were right. It's kind of surprising how well Kimi did at Lotus after a two year break, and now he struggles to bring good results. Perhaps, the car does not suit him because it was designed for Alonso's taste?

It would be interesting to see where Vettel ends up after 2015. If RBR continues the way it does right now, I can imagine that he could be suddenly interested in moving to Ferrari or McLaren if the seats were open.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 4 Jul 2014, 08:19 (Ref:3430200)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobP

It would be interesting to see where Vettel ends up after 2015. If RBR continues the way it does right now, I can imagine that he could be suddenly interested in moving to Ferrari or McLaren if the seats were open.

I can't imagine that, right now, a top driver would want to go to Ferrari for any reason other than the fact they can say "I drove for Ferrari in Formula 1," because right now they are a high-end midfield team. For results, I'd rather drive for Force India...

wolfhound · 4 Jul 2014, 08:29 (Ref:3430209)

Kimi to retire after 2015, is that 2016, 2017, 2018 or sometime after that?

VIVA GT · 4 Jul 2014, 12:30 (Ref:3430279)

OK, what about Jenson Button topping up his final salary pension fund by finishing off his career in a red car?
They never seem short of cash and also like to have as many ex- WDC's driving for them, plus, Ron seems to be going out of his way to de-stabilise Jenson, so he might consider leaving.
It ticks the boxes...

Casper · 4 Jul 2014, 14:53 (Ref:3430323)

He makes no secret of wanting to do other things, there is no sin in that. If anyone thought he was back for a long term second career in F1 they must believe in fairies and santa claus. He seems like the type who does not worry about getting pushed as he always has something else to do.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 4 Jul 2014, 15:22 (Ref:3430332)

He has said that WRX is an option. He is Finnish after all...

**Aysedasi** · 4 Jul 2014, 16:56 (Ref:3430341)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacobP

Another victim of Ferrari's alpha male.

Is he really any kind of 'victim'? I hardly think so.

Mekola · 4 Jul 2014, 17:32 (Ref:3430354)

Kimi could do IndyCars or LeMans, not only Rally.

F1Pete · 5 Jul 2014, 02:13 (Ref:3430437)

That is just Kimi's way of telling Ron who will snatch him up for 2016 and win the WDC.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 5 Jul 2014, 11:04 (Ref:3430541)

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1Pete

That is just Kimi's way of telling Ron who will snatch him up for 2016 and win the WDC.

I somehow doubt that, but I could be wrong

deeks6 · 5 Jul 2014, 13:53 (Ref:3430574)

he has always been a moving speed hump ... long overdue that he gives someone with ability a chance

JeremySmith · 5 Jul 2014, 19:39 (Ref:3430657)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeks6

he has always been a moving speed hump ... long overdue that he gives someone with ability a chance

Is that right...

**bjohnsonsmith** · 5 Jul 2014, 20:06 (Ref:3430671)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeks6

he has always been a moving speed hump ... long overdue that he gives someone with ability a chance

Of course he's got ability, he demonstrated that troughout his career. Unfortunately, I think going back to Ferrari has been a mistake. The car is a dog to drive and there have been organisational problems within the team itself, not exactly ideal or inspiring.

Paradise City · 5 Jul 2014, 23:01 (Ref:3430711)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekola

Kimi could do IndyCars or LeMans, not only Rally.

Villeneuve has proven you can do all three. Well Rallycross anyway.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 5 Jul 2014, 23:54 (Ref:3430721)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Villeneuve has proven you can do all three. Well Rallycross anyway.

Bikes?

JacobP · 6 Jul 2014, 06:49 (Ref:3430799)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Of course he's got ability, he demonstrated that troughout his career. Unfortunately, I think going back to Ferrari has been a mistake. The car is a dog to drive and there have been organisational problems within the team itself, not exactly ideal or inspiring.

But Kimi had nowhere else to go. To be fair, Lotus also made a dog of a car this season. Moreover, Lotus always had financial difficulties delaying Kimi's salary, while Ferrari offers some of the most generous salaries.

**Aysedasi** · 6 Jul 2014, 08:46 (Ref:3430817)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Is that right...

For my money, right now, yes, no doubt. He's frankly wasting a seat in F1.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 6 Jul 2014, 09:49 (Ref:3430836)

To be honest, this is a good call by Kimi. The team is lost, the car is bad, and he isn't motivated. There are plenty of young and talented drivers moving up through F1, whilst Kimi is the oldest guy on the grid, and is past his prime.

JacobP · 6 Jul 2014, 11:25 (Ref:3430861)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

To be honest, this is a good call by Kimi. The team is lost, the car is bad, and he isn't motivated. There are plenty of young and talented drivers moving up through F1, whilst Kimi is the oldest guy on the grid, and is past his prime.

Why so pessimist? Only last year, Kimi scored a win and many podiums, while in 2012 he became famous for "Leave me alone I known what I am doing". If Kimi isn't motivated, it's not because of his age. It's because he can't beat Alonso. It's kind of funny if in the end Kimi may end up being no better than Massa. Poor Massa took so much beating on the forums in 2011-13. If that's the case by the end of 14 (Kimi much slower than Alonso), I don't see the reason why Ferrari should continue with Kimi for 2015, besides a contract. Having two relatively aged drivers with no backup is no good for many reasons (for example, Kimi quits as promised and Alonso moves to another team).

deeks6 · 6 Jul 2014, 11:46 (Ref:3430864)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Is that right...

Well, yes, quite emphatically in fact. If you want the gory statistics against Alonso this season:

Qualifying: FA 7 KR 2
Avg Qualifying Position: FA 7.3 KR 9.5
Avg Qualifying Time: FA 1.34.289 KR 1.35.014 (avg 0.725 sec slower)

Races: FA 8 KR 0
Avg Finishing Position: FA 5.0 KR 9.5
WDC Points: FA 79 KR 19

The car may well be a dog but one driver is doing *slightly* better than the other. In any terms, Raikonnen is being spanked and embarassed by his teammate (at least twice finishing a lap down). Massa was doing much better and I would say most, if not all of the current drivers on the grid would be doing better. Even Grosjean had his measure last year ..

Only my opinion but, yes, he is crap and needs to move on and stop holding back someone who could do much better. Ferrari should have got Hulk or Perez (at 1/10 the cost probably) and they would have been far better off.

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