[Driver] Kimi Raikkonen joins Ferrari for 2014.

[Paradise City]

The money thing he as he describes it in Autosport is in relation to Lotus' failure to pay him the proper amount. When a team fails to pay its lead driver the promised sum that's a big signal of future problems.

To say that he's at Ferrari just to collect a big cheque is very disingenuous judging from his remarks. He says no such thing.

[Bononi]

Kimi is known for saying err... "crazy things". But, yes, money is a big issue for him and he's taking the opportunity, no big deal. He'll be racing as he ever did, that's the important part of the story.

[garcon]

So, davyboy, where has it been suggested that Kimi's move to Ferrari is "financially motivated" beyond his entirely reasonable wish to be paid in accordance with an contract?

Your blatant implication is that Kimi has moved purely for more money, that is what is disingenuous, and I think you know it.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Kimi is known for saying err... "crazy things". But, yes, money is a big issue for him and he's taking the opportunity, no big deal. He'll be racing as he ever did, that's the important part of the story.

I don't think it is an issue for him at all. I doubt he's being paid a huge amount by Ferrari. He's wealthy enough off his own bat. If he retired and went into business tomorrow he'd might even earn more if he's canny with his dough.

Not being paid his agreed performance salary, is a signal of much wider commercial problems within Lotus. There'll be much less of this kind of uncertainty at Ferrari and the cars are competitive.

[Bononi]

Like I said, no big deal. I think we're overestimating his statement about money, that's all, making assumptions when he usually say things just to stir people up.

[chillibowl]

when LH left Mclaren almost everyone was saying it was for the money but no one suggested those people were being disingenuous because it is really a fair comment to make about any professional athlete who moves to a bigger more profitable club imo.

[P38 in workshop]

I can understand his position,he agreed a deal and delivers on his part of it.Its not unreasonable to expect the other party to honour the terms of the deal.If he wants to remain in Formula 1 he is entitled to seek the going rate for his considerable ability elsewhere and Ferrari will have the resources to pay that rate.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by garcon

So, davyboy, where has it been suggested that Kimi's move to Ferrari is "financially motivated" beyond his entirely reasonable wish to be paid in accordance with an contract?

Your blatant implication is that Kimi has moved purely for more money, that is what is disingenuous, and I think you know it.

I would imagine it is a surprise

[321Go]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

when LH left Mclaren almost everyone was saying it was for the money

FACT: Lewis Hamilton was offered MORE salary to stay at McLaren than what Mercedes offered to move to them in 2013.
That's the facts people. But don't let that get in the way of your rants. People saying Lewis moved to Mercedes only because of the money are misinformed and completely WRONG.

[Adam43]

And that is a FACT!

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by 321Go

FACT: Lewis Hamilton was offered MORE salary to stay at McLaren than what Mercedes offered to move to them in 2013.
That's the facts people. But don't let that get in the way of your rants. People saying Lewis moved to Mercedes only because of the money are misinformed and completely WRONG.

FACT people, you know what is a FACT ? And he's telling you so because he knows !

[321Go]

Originally Posted by Bononi

FACT people, you know what is a FACT ? And he's telling you so because he knows !

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

when LH left Mclaren almost everyone was saying it was for the money but no one suggested those people were being disingenuous because it is really a fair comment to make about any professional athlete who moves to a bigger more profitable club imo.

There's a multitude of reasons why drivers transfer. Some take a paycut in order to take on a new challenge. To assert that money was the primary motive here and use the article as 'evidence' for that assertion is being disingenuous. One might speculate that that was so but speculation is a different kettle of fish. Both Hamilton and Kimi have made significant earnings and their potential to earn more outside of team salary is high. There's no incentive for them to be greedy really.

I understand that with Hambo there was the refusal by McLaren to give him a pay hike for the next year. So we are on a firmer ground there. That said, I never saw any actual evidence of even this outside of the grapevine.

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by P38 in workshop

I can understand his position,he agreed a deal and delivers on his part of it.Its not unreasonable to expect the other party to honour the terms of the deal.If he wants to remain in Formula 1 he is entitled to seek the going rate for his considerable ability elsewhere and Ferrari will have the resources to pay that rate.

I don't think it was even that. If the team can't cough up agreed upon monies to its lead driver then there is a big question mark as to whether they can afford the development required to take the car to the next level.

[chillibowl]

thought i would bring this up here because this weekend was the first i had heard about it, but what is the extent of Kimi's back problems?

i heard a lot of talk about injections (which have a way of increasing over time) and pain medication which may not be effective enough to last through the race (presumably anything stronger would cause drowsiness/dull the senses).

surely this must be a concern for Ferrari or is this something that will get better during the off seasons...or does his age and length of his career mean this is a now a permanent condition?

[garcon]

I got the impression from the weekend's coverage that this was a local/temporary issue possibly caused by the seat position. I'm not aware of it being a long term problem that should be of any concern to Ferrari. Interesting question though - he isn't getting any younger.

[chillibowl]

ill see if i can find a link but someone did mention this is something stemming from 2001...which if true would mean that Ferrari are aware of it anyways.

autosport to the rescue (dont get to say that much these days). they are reporting it stems from a Sauber testing accident back in 2001. thats a long time ago so perhaps it was recently reaggravated perhaps from the poor seat fit you mentioned.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110033

[Aysedasi]

Back problems can crop up at any time. I had an issue a couple of years ago which flared up unexpectedly yesterday (potentially out of sympathy..... ). I never had any problems after my seat fitting in my Toyota Auris though.......

[garcon]

Ah but that's just down to the effects of old age ... accelerated by the purchase of a Toyota Auris.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by garcon

Ah but that's just down to the effects of old age ... accelerated by the purchase of a Toyota Auris.