Raikonen Mac Laren

Chris Strange · 19 Aug 2001, 20:13 (Ref:132661)

According to the french tv a rumour is circulating that Ron Dennis signed Kimi Raikonen.....

steve nielsen · 19 Aug 2001, 20:35 (Ref:132670)

Dutch TV reported a rumour that Raikkonen was going to Mclaren and Sauber would get Mercedes engines in return.....

Alan Jones · 19 Aug 2001, 21:00 (Ref:132680)

Now this would be very interesting. Lookout for Ron Kimi, he's a snake in the grass

Minardi fan · 19 Aug 2001, 22:05 (Ref:132734)

Phew.

Kimi in a McLaren? Marvellous. Despite my desire for him to stay at Sauber forever, I know it won't happen - but as long as he doesn't go to Ferrari, I'm happy.

GO KIMIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!

**Bononi** · 19 Aug 2001, 23:00 (Ref:132785)

So Mika's gone...

EERO · 20 Aug 2001, 01:27 (Ref:132846)

It will be interesting to see if tyhis rumour comes true. And I thought it would be Heidfeld.

pink69 · 20 Aug 2001, 01:42 (Ref:132848)

A bit of talent snatching by McLaren. They wouldn't be linked with Raikkanan if Sauber hadn't signed him.

senna12 · 20 Aug 2001, 04:27 (Ref:132872)

Quote:

Originally posted by steve nielsen
Dutch TV reported a rumour that Raikkonen was going to Mclaren and Sauber would get Mercedes engines in return.....

I imagine that they would have to be the most recent spec engine available. Sauber considers their year old Ferrari's not suitable for them to reach the next level, that is why they've been searching for engines like others. The current Mercedes engine would not be up to the task for next year.

It's a bit surprising that Nick is not involved, being tied to Mac and Merc before, but Kimi is a real gem, and by leaving Nick at Sauber,with a Merc, and Kimi at Mac, with a Merc, Merc can spread the engine development out a bit,and gain even more data to aid improvments, using 2 excellent young drivers. So who gets the Sauber seat?

Whatever happens to Kimi in the near future, he will eventually drive for Ferrari, I think.....

f1manoz · 20 Aug 2001, 09:20 (Ref:132950)

I doubt this rumour very much. Kimi wants to go to Ferrari and although Ron has been noted to be interested in the young Finn, the team have a contract with Heidfeld first, and would want him to come over.

Anyway, it appears Mercedes is using some of their clout to get Nick into the McLaren seat for next year, and considering DC is signed for next year (although contracts appear to mean nothing in F1 today) Mika might be forced to retire.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2001, 12:03 (Ref:132993)

Yep.

Heidfeld seems to be the most logical choice.

Maxmil · 20 Aug 2001, 12:10 (Ref:132995)

I have some difficulty in believing this one too. Why would Sauber want an engine which has produced such mediocre results this season? (And last for that matter.) I would rather get the Ferrari motor if I was going to trade away a driver who looks as good as KR.
(Meaning the new Ferrari motor.)

Rimrider · 20 Aug 2001, 12:52 (Ref:133019)

I can think of 14 million(£)reasons why Sauber would use Mercs instead of Ferrari engines.

**Stephen Green** · 20 Aug 2001, 12:59 (Ref:133026)

You are all forgetting the age old connections between Peter Sauber and Mercedes. Remember who Mickey the Shoe and Heinx 57 Frenzy bloke drove for before they ever got into F1. Yup, it was the Mercedes junior team run by one Pater Sauber.

I go for Heidfeld in Mikka's place. When he was the test driver for McLaren he was highly rated by the team, and after all he is still under contract to McLaren. The trouble is that Uncle Ron will have to shed a few tears before letting Mikka go, they are like father and son.

So, there you have it. Mikka gets his pension book, Nick takes his seat, The Sweaty Jock moans that he's not getting equal treatment because Ron favours Nick cos of Mercedes. Situation unchanged.

**Adam43** · 20 Aug 2001, 13:08 (Ref:133031)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Green
...Nick takes his seat, The Sweaty Jock moans that he's not getting equal treatment because Ron favours Nick cos of Mercedes. Situation unchanged.

Sorry, but that made me laugh out loud. Cheers!

Don K · 20 Aug 2001, 16:13 (Ref:133100)

Quote:

Originally posted by Maxmil
I have some difficulty in believing this one too. Why would Sauber want an engine which has produced such mediocre results this season? (And last for that matter.) I would rather get the Ferrari motor if I was going to trade away a driver who looks as good as KR.
(Meaning the new Ferrari motor.)

According to Dutch TV, Sauber did contact Ferrari, but Ferrari didn't want to make the same deal Mercedes had offered.

**Stephen Green** · 20 Aug 2001, 17:44 (Ref:133140)

Glad it made you chuckle Adam

economy_waffle · 20 Aug 2001, 18:15 (Ref:133162)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi
So Mika's gone...

not nessecarily as kimi could be test driver OR david coulthard could be leaving mclaren - DONT COUINT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY'VE HATCHED!!!!!

Speedworx · 20 Aug 2001, 18:27 (Ref:133171)

Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren. This is my other dream come true. (first is to go to a Champ Car race without leaving the country)

Heidfeld is contracted to McLaren, but maybe Ron thinks Kimi is better.

Crank Case · 20 Aug 2001, 18:34 (Ref:133176)

Talk about rumour city

I think the honest truth is nobody has got a clue.(But I'm going to have my pennys worth)
I hope the Kimi rumour is true but find it very doubtful
I can't really see Ron taking the risk with such a fairly new driver it would be a safer bet to go with Nick who is under contract with McLaren anyway.

BBKing · 20 Aug 2001, 18:40 (Ref:133185)

Give Sauber the unreliable Mercedes so they it can be tested before is too late. It is a good deal for Sauber and McLaren.

EERO · 20 Aug 2001, 18:44 (Ref:133189)

Quote:

Originally posted by Crank Case
Talk about rumour city
I think the honest truth is nobody has got a clue.(But I'm going to have my pennys worth)
I hope the Kimi rumour is true but find it very doubtful
I can't really see Ron taking the risk with such a fairly new driver it would be a safer bet to go with Nick who is under contract with McLaren anyway.

Smartest thing I've read all day.

Ralf's Girl · 20 Aug 2001, 18:59 (Ref:133203)

I can't see this happening - Heidfeld is the one with a contract, so I think he would be a far more likely replacement for Hakkinen. Sauber would probably also rather have a Ferrari engine than a Mercedes engine - Ferrari is just plain better. Just compare their reliability!

And Ferrari wouldn't be best pleased if McLaren steal away the talent they were planning on signing for 2003.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2001, 21:15 (Ref:133288)

What are we saying after all ????

He did a superb job yesterday, I think Mika should stay, and if the problem is money, so he must press Ron and Merc !

francis · 20 Aug 2001, 21:25 (Ref:133296)

I wouldn't think the amount of money is the important to Mika - he probably doens't need it - it's the perception of the amount. As both Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill both pointed out- bless them - the amount of money is a measure of how the team value your services. I fhte y won't give you the money - do they really value your services. If not - why bother driving for them.

Maybe Ron's crude man management style makes him think that's a motivator

BBKing · 20 Aug 2001, 21:28 (Ref:133298)

Who is Heidfeld? Is he the other guy at Sauber...LOL

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