KR gives up!

Marbot · 15 May 2006, 16:48 (Ref:1610778)

Despite only being a couple of months into the season,it seems that KR (and probably others) has given up.Is it already a two horse race? http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=118332

Sodemo · 15 May 2006, 16:52 (Ref:1610781)

Never say die Kimi...

**Adam43** · 15 May 2006, 16:53 (Ref:1610783)

I very much doubt he will give up in a not trying way.

He is probably right. Still if he tries to get some race wins and gets them soon, we may have to re-assess that.

littlefarny · 15 May 2006, 16:53 (Ref:1610784)

Pretty reasonable and mature opinion on his behalf.

Louis B. · 15 May 2006, 16:54 (Ref:1610786)

And take that Ron Dennis!

P.S. It's so good to state out loud what your boss hates to hear when you have in your pocket a contract to go somewhere else.

Marbot · 15 May 2006, 16:55 (Ref:1610787)

He's already dreaming of Ferrari.

Pat symonds backs up the theory.http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35935

Marbot · 15 May 2006, 17:06 (Ref:1610795)

Has does Martin Whitmarsh.http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35934

DeoValente · 15 May 2006, 17:07 (Ref:1610797)

Nice to see confirmed what I already thought..Barcelona is a big divider of good and not so good cars in terms of aerodynamics.

And Kimi prolly thinks back to last year..winning and winning and winning and Lonso just stayed up front. He should be a bit more optimistic though. He can get 1, shumi 2, massa3, fisi 4, button 5 and lonso 6..would eat a lota points back.

Kirk · 15 May 2006, 17:09 (Ref:1610799)

Another reason to revamp the scoring system. 2 points difference between winning and losing is .... ah ... laughable (insert your own adjective).

BootsOntheSide · 15 May 2006, 17:10 (Ref:1610800)

If a McLaren driver doesn't score at least 30 points in the next 4 races, it probably is over for them this year. 2nd in the Constructor's Championship and a 3-4 or 3-5 combination in the drivers' is a fair optimistic target right now, they just aren't as fast as the top teams, although reliability is pretty good.

pdman · 15 May 2006, 17:12 (Ref:1610803)

This is a bigger statement about the charactor of the man (Kimi) than the actual statement itself.
Would you ever hear MS saying that whilst there was still a theoretical chance .... I don't think so...

IMHO a lot of the drivers seem to be in silo's ... Not enough power, wrong aero package, wrong tyre choice......
They could do with attending the MS school of team building and understand that their job is not just to drive the car but to be an integral part of building, motivating and leading a team. Comments like KR's will seriously damage the motivation of the team.

**Born Racer** · 15 May 2006, 17:16 (Ref:1610807)

Quote:

Another reason to revamp the scoring system. 2 points difference between winning and losing is .... ah ... laughable (insert your own adjective).

Yeah, there should be more incentive to go for the win.

Combine that with the cancellation of the single-tyre rule and we have a less than exciting fight at the end of races. Although I do wonder if Bridgestone would've got the hang of making a tyre more consistent over a race regardless of fuel load, i.e. I wonder if the variation in tyre performance at the end of races this year would not have been much less than last year, had the rule stayed.

Marbot · 15 May 2006, 17:23 (Ref:1610812)

At the moment the difference between 10,8 or 7 points doesn't really affect Mclaren,has it's only Renault or Ferrari that can score them.

brands · 15 May 2006, 17:39 (Ref:1610823)

Although Kimi was a long way behind in the points to Alonso at this stage last year at least the McLaren had shown to be the fastest, if fragile, car. This season the car is third at best and it doesn't matter how he drives, unless the McLaren finds the answers in the next couple of races then both titles have gone.

What Kimi and Whitmarsh have said is what anyone can see.

DeoValente · 15 May 2006, 18:07 (Ref:1610839)

Im just wondering..how come a championconquering car can turn out the next year to be so problematic?

Gt_R · 15 May 2006, 18:21 (Ref:1610848)

I'm quite sure many people were predicting Mclaren to be trashing Ferrari at this point..as recent as earlier this year.

Mclaren simply let their chances slip away, again. With an AD car, Mercedes behind the engine program, a new mega HQ, and one of the strongest driver pairing... it's sad to see Mclaren wasting their chances in the mid field.

**Bononi** · 15 May 2006, 19:14 (Ref:1610884)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeoValente

Im just wondering..how come a championconquering car can turn out the next year to be so problematic?

And how a team with that structure and with so many successful seasons seems to be completely lost...

strider · 15 May 2006, 19:16 (Ref:1610888)

Kimi is doing no more than state the obvious. It's better to be realistic. He's certainly not saying he has stopped trying.

It will be better for him and for McLaren if they go for race wins now. If they happen to get enough of them, then they may be able to re-think the Championship, although personally I doubt it.

Knowlesy · 15 May 2006, 19:23 (Ref:1610894)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeoValente

Im just wondering..how come a championconquering car can turn out the next year to be so problematic?

Because it's a completely different car?

Louis B. · 15 May 2006, 19:23 (Ref:1610895)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeoValente

Im just wondering..how come a championconquering car can turn out the next year to be so problematic?

Elementary my dear Watson, they changed livery. Silver / chrome and red are much slower than black & silver. You think, I'am kidding? See how Midland is doing with similar colours.

Knowlesy · 15 May 2006, 19:25 (Ref:1610897)

Very realistic comments from Kimi sadly. I don't think mcLaren will be in a position to win a race this year at any stage, maybe Kimi can nab one somewhere and JPM can come up trumps in Brazil, but I see little else promising.

Renault and Ferrari will most likely share the remaining two-thirds of the season between them.

*sigh*

**Bononi** · 15 May 2006, 21:32 (Ref:1611027)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

JPM can come up trumps in Brazil, but I see little else promising.

No, thanks !

ralf fan · 15 May 2006, 21:46 (Ref:1611037)

Mclaren are about a sec slower right now...so in that light Kimi is right. He needs wins and sadly i dont see Mac winning any races in the near future...

It is Symonds Vs Brawn for the next few races sadly,....

rocketracer · 15 May 2006, 23:23 (Ref:1611081)

i think kimi will win a race on pace this season, he is too good a driver not to get an opportunity or two at some stage in the remainder of the season but its pretty obvious that with renault and ferrari where they are, he is no longer a serious title contender... however, having said this, he will be a very interesting 3rd party if he starts taking points away from the main battle of MS / FA...

Kirk · 15 May 2006, 23:51 (Ref:1611088)

I had started a thread recently asking if Kimi was fed up. That statement I just read tells me that he is. The constant mechanical breakdowns and the McLaren inconsistency have finally taking their toll and he will not be at McLaren next season. I get the feeling that this is his way of repaying RD for pulling the rug from under he and JPM, by signing FA as he did.

Team morale will be difficult to resurrect with Kimi still there.