Ross Brawn praises Kimi

ljakse · 11 Dec 2003, 13:21 (Ref:809209)

From f1-live.com:

Quote:

According to reports, the Scuderia are keen on signing Raikkonen to replace Rubens Barrichello at the end of next season. Barrichello’s contract comes to an end then, and although Ferrari renewed Michael Schumacher’s contract this year, the Brazilian’s wasn’t.

"Raikkonen is the one who impresses me most in terms of attitude and consistency," Ferrari’s technical director Ross Brawn told The Mirror. "Some of his performances towards the end of the season in a car getting old were very impressive. Under pressure he does not make many mistakes. Raikkonen is the big star of the future."

Can this really happen???

climb · 11 Dec 2003, 13:27 (Ref:809220)

It basically depends on him, whether he will like to fight JPM as a team mate or not.
Certainly would be a good replacement for MS, more than for Rubens. Maybe there could be a year of cohabitation just to start the transition.
If the replacement of MS was a driver that Brawn & co like, weell, maybe the dream team could stay at Ferrari longer than expected.

**Bononi** · 11 Dec 2003, 13:29 (Ref:809224)

Just BS talks, do you think McLaren would let him go ?

climb · 11 Dec 2003, 13:31 (Ref:809226)

As said in other threads, no contract is unbreakable.

kdr · 11 Dec 2003, 13:34 (Ref:809231)

i think his contract expires at the end of 2004 doesn't it?

ljakse · 11 Dec 2003, 13:52 (Ref:809248)

1. I don't think Ron would let him go, but I'm not sure Kimi will ask him if he wants to leave, and Ferrari is willing to pay

2. McLaren did announce that Montoya is going to drive for them in 2005, but they didn't say who is he gonna drive with!!!

I sure hope Kimi don't want to go there, but....

Glen · 11 Dec 2003, 14:11 (Ref:809261)

Don't know why you'd wish for him not to go there - Ferrari are clearly the number one team, and they're going to attract the best drivers... I'd put Kimi as the second best driver out there at the moment and getting in a Ferrari could be what makes it all come together for him. Mind you, getting in the MP4-19 might have a simlar effect!

ljakse · 11 Dec 2003, 14:34 (Ref:809281)

What you mean why???
I'm not exactly a Ferrari fan you know...

BootsOntheSide · 11 Dec 2003, 14:40 (Ref:809289)

Would Michael accept teaming up with Kimi? Unless Kimi makes a litany of mistakes and is off the pace in 2004, no way. Mcihael doesn't like havign a challenge within the team, and views Kimi as a genuine threat.

It's certainly not inconcievable that Kimi could join in 2005, but I think it's unlikely, and the Mirror were probably on a slow news day.

Glen · 11 Dec 2003, 15:28 (Ref:809322)

ljakse - I take it you are a Kimi fan though... what could be wrong with going to the best team in F1 - the best team ever in F1.

Boots - Where is your evidence about Michael not liking a challenge? He's made all his team-mates look bad, but they weren't bad before they came to the team. You seem to have swallowed the popular bull' about Schumi's contract without having any actual knowledge of that contract.

jonathanc · 11 Dec 2003, 15:39 (Ref:809335)

I think it will all depend on two things:

1) How Michael does next year. Eg. if he has a bad one (doesnt win that is) he may retire at the end of 04 paving the way for kimi without the team orders

2) If the new Mclaren (19) goes as well as it looks and is better than the ferrari in 04, Kimi probably wouldnt want to leave.

Personally I rate Kimi as No.1, even above MS. If he had been in the ferrari this year he would have IMHO been world champ.

Lets wait and see.

**Bononi** · 11 Dec 2003, 16:36 (Ref:809381)

Let's wait and see.

The best statement so far.

ralf fan · 11 Dec 2003, 17:07 (Ref:809418)

well weve had some surprising switches in F1!! could happen!

gttouring · 11 Dec 2003, 17:37 (Ref:809439)

Kimi being stoic and less crazy than typical ferrari behaivior may not want to go, but being WDC is no smll feat in a mercedes- such style and a cool way to do it , a silverarrow pilot-Just Like Mika.
does kimi want to repeat history and be the next Finn to take a WDC at MacMerc? everybody inside loves to be the #1 and to do it at Ferrari is somethign we all, no matter how much we don't like the current RedTide (i love it) we all would love to do it (even if a william WDC or Maclaren or Renault WDC would be sweet as well). and Kimi I feel is no exception, if given the chance i bet he'd sign, it is no step back, and his input and cool demeanor would keep the dream team alive in one form for sure.

Mr V · 11 Dec 2003, 20:27 (Ref:809560)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi

Just BS talks, do you think McLaren would let him go ?

Could McLaren keep him if he wants to go? They can during his contract, but certainly not once it's expired.

kdr · 11 Dec 2003, 22:38 (Ref:809663)

well mclaren are going the right way about keeping him away from ferrari by signing montoya..........

ljakse · 12 Dec 2003, 07:25 (Ref:809846)

Quote:

Originally posted by Glen
ljakse - I take it you are a Kimi fan though... what could be wrong with going to the best team in F1 - the best team ever in F1.

Yep, I am a Kimi fan, but that 'best team ever in F1' just might be something different IMO.

Glen · 12 Dec 2003, 09:45 (Ref:809928)

I know you don't like it, ljakse, but Ferrari are without the slightest doubt the best and most important team in F1. They are probably the only team that F1 could not survive without. One of the world's most famous brands too - possibly the most recognisable sport and racing brand in history. And their current iteration, with Schumacher, Brawn, Todt and Byrne takes them to ever higher levels. Like I say, you might not like it, but it is total folly to deny it - I doubt very much indeed that Kimi feels the same way as yourself.

BootsOntheSide · 12 Dec 2003, 10:04 (Ref:809959)

Ferrari is undoubtedly a classic brand, with a glorious racing heritage, and it's in a purple patch at present. However, once Schumacher goes, chances are that some of the others will go, and the current phase of success will be finished.

Almost every great driver who joined Ferrari came to regret their decision, falling victrim of a combination fo weak cars and internal politics. Mansell, Prost, Scheckter to an extent, Alesi and Arnoux for example. And Schuamcher could've won more than 4 titles in 8 years (7 if you discount 1999) had he gone elsewhere.

Kimi might actually be better to stay where he is, considering his apparent close bond with Ron

Mr V · 12 Dec 2003, 10:14 (Ref:809968)

Quote:

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Ferrari is undoubtedly a classic brand, with a glorious racing heritage, and it's in a purple patch at present. However, once Schumacher goes, chances are that some of the others will go, and the current phase of success will be finished.

Agreed on that, imo, it would be a mistake for any driver to go to Ferrari in 2005/6 if they are already in one of the other best seats. Ferrari without Todt/Brawn and Byrne will not be the strongest team anymore, dispite Ferrari's heratige.

Glen · 12 Dec 2003, 10:15 (Ref:809969)

You are of course quite right there Boots - whilst McLaren can't match up to Ferrari for sheer brand status, they do have weaknesses which the Woking team impressively avoid. Ron Dennis has stated that he wants the team to endure and member leaving, and I believe they could - certainly more easily than Ferrari could. On the other hand Ferrari may feel that Kimi is the one to gel the team for another phase of domination, with his super strong personality and leadership qualities. Wait... what am I saying!

climb · 12 Dec 2003, 10:25 (Ref:809977)

I just repeat that, should a new driver catch the attention and the esteem of current Ferrari key men, a new cycle could start again with them staying there.
I'm sure that Montezemolo (or whoever at his place) will save no effort to keep'em; if the condition is to hire Kimi (or whoever at his place) he'll try and convince him one way or another.

ljakse · 12 Dec 2003, 11:16 (Ref:810018)

We're going a bit off topic, but...

Quote:

Originally posted by Glen
I know you don't like it, ljakse, but Ferrari are without the slightest doubt the best and most important team in F1. They are probably the only team that F1 could not survive without. One of the world's most famous brands too - possibly the most recognisable sport and racing brand in history. And their current iteration, with Schumacher, Brawn, Todt and Byrne takes them to ever higher levels. Like I say, you might not like it, but it is total folly to deny it - I doubt very much indeed that Kimi feels the same way as yourself.

Without disputing anything else, I just can't agree they are 'the best'. I can't accept that a team is the best just because they were there before others.
Ferrari's succes went very much downhill as soon as Williams and McLaren came into the show. Ferrari is the biggest name - they are the only ones who have their F1 team just for promoting road cars, and are succesfull in that. But, Williams and McLaren are better since they came in F1.

Let's wait for another 16 years, and compare Ferrari's results achieved till today, and McLaren's untill 2019. Then, let's wait another 7 years, and compare Williams' results to previous two. Then, and only then, if Ferrari is better, I will accept that "Ferrari are without the slightest doubt the best".

And, remember, I'm only arguing 'the best' part.

Glen · 12 Dec 2003, 11:37 (Ref:810040)

Take your point about waiting a little longer - but five WCC on the trot sounds like the best to me! Not many quality drivers would turn down the chance to drive for Ferrari - it is too early in his career for Kimi, but give him a year or two and his maiden WDC under his belt and then we'll see, although I remain unconvinced about his leadership qualities (although in fairness Schumacher is without peer in that department).

Hugh Jarce · 13 Dec 2003, 20:42 (Ref:811178)

I think the crucial question is (on levels terms) who is most likely to be world champ after 'you know who'?

I agree that over a full season Kimi looks the pick of the pack (unless Monty calms down) - so Brawn will obviously be after him.

A couple of unknown factors ...

1. What if Alonso has a cracker in 2004? Would the 'reds' then be after a Kimi / Alonso line up? Or would Alonso be the 'wildcard' pick as the No. 1 with the SpewDiarrhoea. Maybe that's a bit too revolutionary.

2. Who says Ferrari will always be the top team to drive for? History says they won't - so Kimi may rather go to the next emerging team.

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