Breaking: Kimi out for 2010 season
November 18, 2009 by SJ Skid
Filed under People & Events, Top Story
Kimi Raikkonen will not race in Formula 1 in 2010. [Unless he listens to F1B.]
Autosport, among others, is reporting that as talks have broken down with McLaren, Kimi will take a “sabbatical” in 2010.
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.
[snip]
“The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all,” Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. “Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level – at least not next year.
“A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship. F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer – doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of.”
AUTOSPORT understands that there were several stumbling blocks to a deal being completed with McLaren prior to the team finding out that Button was available and interested.
As well as a difference of opinion about wages, Raikkonen and McLaren were believed to not be in agreement about the number of sponsorship appearance days he should do, or about how free he was to do rallies.
Autosport goes on to suggest that Red Bull, which will have a “vacant” seat in 2011 after Mark Webber’s contract ends, could be the team to welcome Kimi’s return. [Finally, I would get my Red Bull and Vodka!] Of course, if Webber has another strong season, that might be a harder move for Red Bull to make.
What’s next for Kimi? Perhaps the World Rally Championship? And perhaps with Red Bull, to prime that pump?
What would you do if you were Kimi?
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my dislike for McLaren has now entered the realm of hatred… -_-
that could be interpreted as a bit excessive…
All due credit to John Howett, when the whole world doubted him…….Kimi went with Toyota after all.
In the running for Post of the Week, although your timing is bad coming just a day after a podcast. We’ll have to remind Todd of this closer to podcast 134 (if my count is right).
This is not unexpected really. I dont see where he might be able to come back into F1 in 2011 though. Maybe RedBull, Webber has to have a great season to get a contract for 2011. You never know though even after Webber wins the WDC next year he might still retire to his farm in Tasmania. All I hope is he doesn’t go to a second tier team just to stay in F1.
Oh wait we are talking about Kimi here aren’t we. So 2011… Redbull, or even Williams if Rubins retires, but Williams isn’t Kimis style, or a front running team. I really cant see Ferrari or McLaren or even Mercedes changing their lineup in 2011.
I see Kimi doing a variety of things next year. A few rallies a bit of snowboarding etc, but I don’t see him doing any full series.
If I were him I would retire from F1. The series would always take him back (heck they took Villeneuve back) even if he had a couple of years off. If I were him I would hit the WRC hard and try for that championship. It would be good for WRC too and might help rebuild that series.
If this ends up being the case it’s a sad day for F1. For all the money spent trying to “improve the show”, you would think the series would realize the popularity of this driver and that he is one of the last true personalities in F1. F1 just got a little duller…
As much as it saddens me to have to watch the ‘other guys’ battling over the 2010 WDC, I AM really relieved. And thankfull (lets hope this story is accurate) that Kimi and the Robertsons did not cave in to a 3rd tier team just to be in F1 for 2010. They were true to their words, which I get some comfort from.
If I were Webbo, I’d make sure I drive my heart out in 2010 !!!
If Kimi does return in 2011 for RBR… and Webber is looking for a seat as well… I wonder if Mercedes would consider him. He did outdrive both the drivers who are in line for the Merc seats (Heidfeld 2005 and Rosberg 2006). Maybe Mark would say no as he wouldn’t want a repeat of flipping the Merc in ALMS.
During 2007 to 2008 Kimi won an exagerated fame of being lazy and unable to help with the car development; maybe true, maybe false it did not help for Ferrari to keep him ’til the end of his contract in 2010. The only thing Kimi preserves is his fame of being superfast and that’s probably the reason why he did not landed on Macca……The Hamilton’s wouldn’t allow that.
With such an early-contract-end-clause at Ferrari, why Kimi would kill to drive in 2010? For sure he has mire interesting things to do during a sabbatical….I wish him the best…let’s see if he can make some sort of Prost-esque return an win another WC
Oh well now what…do I do? I guess GO VETTEL!
How I shall miss Kimi, and his legions of fans. I hope they still go and cheer on Heikki, but it just won’t be the same.
People, if you attend a race next year, please wear a gorilla suit. (I presume that copious drinking goes without saying…)
Heiki looks too much like a Thunderbirds/Team America character for me to support him.
Like I said in another story, I don’t think Kimi or Button would be a great fit with Hamilton. (Prefer Kimi though between the two)
I personally thing Nick Heidfield would be a much better fit, he is consistent and a definite #2 to Hammy.
Putting two World Champs almost always leads to team friction. I would think McLaren would be smarter….
Well they have done it before, maybe they learnt their lesson.
sad news anyway. I think he’s tired of this f1 world and wants something different.
I really hope he’ll be back in 2011, f1 lose a still young top driver and is an important loss. But i think if he’ll try WRC and have some little success, he’ll definetly retire from f1.
Moreover nobody can ensure rb will be a top team in 2011, ferrari and mclaren and mercedes will be the strongest team, and there is no place for him there, because Ferrari fired him, and if McLaren or Mercedes wanted him could hire him now.
Don’t you think that this is a last attempt to put pressure on McLaren? What if Button ends up staying with Brown now that it is under the name of Mercedes???
I am still not conviced it is all over and if it is…shame on F1.
I really hope it was more than just sallary. Good job regardless of motivation though. Thank you for listening to me Mr. Raikkonen.
Blame Fernando for robbing us of Kimi at his prime. A shame he’s taken a year out. As a racer I would have expected just being on the track and in the action enough of a reason to be involved somewhere, even on a short-term deal. Money shouldn’t be an issue for him now.
No surprise here.
Where are all the KR lovers who said “Kimi doesn’t care what he drives, he could make an oxcart go fast”…?
Reality is, if he can’t land a drive with the new Mercedes GP team or Red Bull for 2011, his F1 career is finished.
Sad but true. He can pull out his retirement chair and relax with with some vodka and ice cream. Will miss you though.
A very sad day for Kimi fans like me. I hope he comes back in 2011 to race for a good team and to win races.
Pity though not unexpected. What do i hope for? I am a past Rallaye (correct spelling) driver/enthusiast and, except for HDTHR, you can’t even see a peep in the US whereas it is huge around the world. If Kimi gopes there, the media will follow (another of Bernie’s playthings I am afraid). And where the media goes, fans follow.
Go Kimi! “yumping” is better than flat racing.
Kimi is not bigger than F1 and I dont think people will watch rally just to watch Kimi drive. They might keep tab on the results to see how he is doing but not sit down and watch it live.