Will Gray

Gray Matter: Raikkonen holds the keys

Fri Jul 10 09:29AM

So Fernando Alonso will not be going to Ferrari next year. Or will he?

It's the silly season again, the time when drivers are rumoured to be headed in new directions for 2010 and each has to dispel stories and suggestions using cunning words that ensure they are not lying but perhaps may not be entirely telling the truth either.

Alonso to Ferrari was the latest rumour in the paddock ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix and sure enough the Spaniard denied that he is in talks with Ferrari and denied he has signed a contract - but when he is talking to a group of journalists in Renault's motorhome sitting next to a Renault press officer what else is he going to say?

Since Alonso displayed his spectacular talent behind the wheel of a Formula One car to win his first world title, hardly a year has gone by without him being in some way connected to Ferrari, and this week it seems the rumours were stronger than ever. Many, in fact, believe a two-year deal has long been done.

But hang on a minute - Ferrari have two contracted drivers in the shape of Kimi Raikkonen, in place to the end of 2010, and Felipe Massa, now contracted to the end of 2011. So unless the Italian team wants to pay the likely fee of around £25m to prise Raikkonen out of his seat or they decide to turn against Massa, who seems to be a popular figure at the team right now, there will be no room in the prancing horse's stable in 2010.

So far this season it has seemed apparent that Raikkonen has had enough of life at Ferrari and might want out. 'Icecreamgate' in Malaysia hinted early in the season at his lack of desire, while his decision to compete in Rally Finland has brought claims that his eye is off the ball (even though Sebastien Bourdais's similarly 'off the ball' decision to do Le Mans passed without criticism).

The Spanish media claim there is backing from sponsors in Spain that could give Ferrari the cash needed to shoehorn Raikkonen out of his contract and pave the way for Alonso - but last week they claimed that Ferrari and their sponsors were working on ways to get Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel into the seat.

Some rumours suggest that Raikkonen, who will be 30 at the end of this year and has had nine seasons in the sport, may be ready to retire. He has denied that this weekend, but Alonso's manager Flavio Briatore would surely be happy to make a space for the Finn at Renault if his Spanish driver secured a commercially lucrative association with Ferrari. And that could suit everyone nicely.

The Vettel rumour adds another intriguing angle to the rumoured Ferrari seat shuffle. Red Bull are determined not to lose Vettel, who has risen up its driver programme, but rumours that Michael Schumacher is keen to see him follow in his footsteps plus all the other opportunities that Ferrari brings could be tempting for the young German. And would Red Bull fancy a newly inspired Raikkonen in his place? It could be a good trade. Would Raikkonen fancy a Red Bull drive? Right now, you bet!

So the keys to Ferrari's door are firmly in the hands of Raikkonen. Currently he is locked inside but he has plenty of options to make his escape. It's only a matter of time before he reveals which way he will turn...

Comments1 - 24 of 24

Kimi is his own man, I hope he ends up with 4 or 5 Championships. Those Finnish people are a little strange but they sure can drive. Best of luck for the rest of the season! Michael C.
From welderinyourboat on Fri Jul 10 10:13AM
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I'm with Michael! I mean, come on, Kimi's got his quirks but everyone has them, don't they? Well, I like Sebi and the idea of him in Ferrari but Fernando? I used to hate him a lot. Just 'cause he was taking all those wins from Schumi. Nice way of putting it, by the way. Who cares if Kimi wants to rally? Let the man do what he wants...
From miss_scuderiaferrari on Fri Jul 10 10:59AM
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Drivers decide where they want to drive, who doesn't want to seat behind a FERRARI?
From aldojaz84 on Fri Jul 10 11:12AM
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Good place for all big and tall singles, please check: ---Tallconnect Co M ---- ,More fun waiting for you...
From frankmm23 on Fri Jul 10 11:24AM
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hope ferrari can retain kimi..and improve the cars at da same time..any1 can drive great with a good car..agree !!
From karwei87 on Fri Jul 10 11:33AM
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personally i would love to see Alonso in a Ferrari, Ive been a Ferrari fan for over twenty years and was a big fan of schummy. Massa has been great for us and i prefer him to Kimi, Massa does seem more commited to the team than Kimi.
From sfseanhall on Fri Jul 10 11:50AM
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A Raikkonen only half trying is still worth more than a Massa driving with everything he's got. Perhaps Ferrari should be trying to do something to motivate him? It must be something within that team because the Finn didn't show anywhere near to this much apathy when he was behind the whell of a Mclaren.
As for Fernando, Ferrari fans better hope he has grown up a little if he gets partnered by Vettel and he doesn't throw the sort of tantrums that Hamilton induced in him.
From raincoatfriend616 on Fri Jul 10 11:57AM
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I agree with miss scuderia yeah kim has quirks who doesn't lol Iam sure if I was in the spot light some of my little quirks would be described as out there. Let him decided where he wants to go though Id like to see him in the red bull....
From ettenjo on Fri Jul 10 12:09PM
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I don't agree with raincoatfriend616 saying that Raikkonen half driving is worth more than a massa driving.If you look at last season Massa had a better run at the championship than Kimmi's in 2007. Hamilton gave Kimmi the title that year where as last year the fuel rigging incident and Glock at the last corner in Brazil gave Hamilton the title.
From sfseanhall on Fri Jul 10 12:53PM
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The thing I like about Kimi is he is himself, none of that politically correct stuff, I do think he has lost interest but I hope he stays just to keep Alonso out.
From marcel1138 on Fri Jul 10 12:53PM
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a kimi hea used toa be a king onna track now hea lazy s..t
From st.george35 on Fri Jul 10 01:01PM
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I think Raikkonen just fancies a Red Bull....and vodka. Seriously tho, he's lacking in motivation even for a typically horizontal Finn. He needs to rediscover himself or get out of F1.
From grahamnpotter on Fri Jul 10 01:03PM
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Kimi is not the sort to be bothered by all of this talk, thats why i like him, he is just a good driver doing what he does best but he really should not be in a Ferrari, he seems lost in that team, besides they've favoured Massa since Schumi left, most,if not all teams(RED BULL) have a driver who is the donkey but Ferrari are the biggest sinners in this field and have been for some time now, i agree that when Kimi was with Mclaren he was far happier, quicker, and his mind was 100% on the job, i do not see that in him now, kick Massa's arse and get back to being the Ice Man is what he needs to do and dismount the Horse or one title is all he will ever get, too many other good drivers now await in the wings to grab the F1 crown.
From shaunhealey5jb on Fri Jul 10 03:11PM
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kick massa out and have kimi team up with either alonso or vettel...
From luimijares on Fri Jul 10 03:19PM
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Better to kick Kimi out. A Massa + Vettel line-up would be much better.
I see the idiot Potter has infected this site as well, posting as St George35.
From bowliver3 on Fri Jul 10 04:28PM
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Kimi is a much better driver than most of you are giving him credit for.
From knollsoft on Fri Jul 10 05:05PM
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The likes of Kimi Raikkonen put the sport of F1 in bad light the have no time for the fans with minimum interveiws given and when they do give them they mumble indisticte replies that tell you nothing, and as for Hamilton one season and he's off to Switzerland to save a few bob and keep away from the people who pay out there hard earnd cash to buy over priced book's and merchandise. And come on Aston Martine & Lotus lets see some real racing heritage back in F1 please one of you sign up.
From colinjrobb on Fri Jul 10 07:06PM
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Sign me up for Räikkönen + Vettel. I like both, so it's OK to me, at least. And thank you ettenjo for agreeing with me. Kimi's just an awesome driver. I read once that people see Kimi race it's like watching Luciano Pavarotti doing an opera...So, like I said, Ferrari simply NEEDS to get Kimi in their team. Or the guy can just retire. That makes it a lot easier, doesn't it? And then Kimi would be in the WRC for real. Wow. Kimi as a rally driver. But that's a different story!
From miss_scuderiaferrari on Sat Jul 11 11:50AM
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still more than 6 races left!, fernando will not going to tell you if he goes to ferrari, why not? is cleare that is not going to trow away Renult advertaisment. he is going to wait until the end of the season and then is going to say...yes! is going to drive for two years for ferrari or may be one more year and then is going to retaire, to let vettel be the number one driver for ferrari. yes ladys in gentlemans, vettel will be the next champ and he will be driving for escuderia ferrari!
From job13salazar on Sat Jul 11 06:38PM
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Kimi is an aptitude driver so to lose someone like that will be a major lost, Massa is an adroit driver and willing to improve but at some point he could loose his rigorous, it's a tough choice but I think keeping Kimi will be a good investment I mean look at Schumacer when he win 5 world champions he's not at his 20th and nothing can stop him even Kimi at 2003 who were almost tip him off the top, so Ferrari need to considered before they bolt Kimi out.
From eseptiyanto on Sat Jul 11 08:15PM
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FA is a technical driver as well as a talented one, I think he may pair well with Ferrari.
I hope Massa stays put.
The Iceman is a great driver, but he seems too....disinterested?...this season.
From mcgrawjg on Sun Jul 12 12:58AM
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Kimi is a great driver, but he has fallen off due to Massa favouritism at the team. A driver shuffle would probably make everyone happy. It would be nice to see Alonso losing in a Ferrari as well.
From the_abbinator on Sun Jul 12 10:32AM
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cant stand alonso me so i dont want him at ferrari how about him just going altogether
From ryan3mandy on Sun Jul 12 12:29PM
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Raikkonen is among the best in the business even now - it is a pity that Ferrari, with Schumi around, are more intent on backing Massa. Let's face it, Massa is nowhere near as good as the likes of Raikkonen, Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel. How else would you explain him not winning the title last year even after being given a race win as a free gift from the FIA at Spa for a largely anonymous race. Nothing demonstrates Raikkonen's pace better than the fact that he has dragged a slow car into Q3 consistently, while Massa has struggled to do so.
From ppravikumar on Thu Jul 16 11:01AM
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