Kimi WRC move a back door to RB F1?

[xpensive]

When RedBull obviously need to find a replacement for Webber for next year anyway, why not Kimi?

[masha08]

I think Kimi just enjoys rallying. Since Ferrari chose Alonso over him and there's no vacant F1 seat for him right now, then it's a smart idea to do something he loves while waiting for a good F1 team to make a deal with him. Talk about wishful thinking. Then again, he was a world champion so definitely teams would consider him to drive for them.

[Pandamasque]

When RedBull obviously need to find a replacement for Webber for next year anyway, why not Kimi?

Obviously?

[vyselegend]

People really do believe what they want to...

Kimi never hinted as a potential F1 return, and actually sounded quite the opposite in his press declarations so far. Last week end in Jordania he enjoyed a very decent result, coming P8 after having been constantly between the 6th to 10th fastest on every specials, which is a great improvement!

I suggest you take a look at the Pirrelli blog from Kimi:

part one
part two
part three

One hint at Kimi's level of interst in F1:

"There’s still a long way to go as we have the final day left, and that’s sure to be another big challenge with some tough stages and hot weather. But I’m used to warm temperatures in Formula One, so that’s not a problem. Somebody actually pointed out to me earlier that it was the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend; I hadn’t even realised until it was mentioned."

Given how straightforward he is, I'd personnaly believe it's no lies or joke but the raw truth. The guy is just enjoying himself a lot in what he describes as a very comfortable world.

"I have to say that I really like the world of rallying so far. It’s impossible to compare it to Formula One as it would be like comparing a square to a triangle, but everything seems just a bit more relaxed and friendly. Everyone has been very welcoming, but there’s still room for me to be myself."

see also: First WRC points for Raikkonen

I personaly don't believe anyone's going to see him again in F1 soon. And I don't regret it at all, I prefer a flamboyant and regenerated Kimi in a top level car in WRC than a shadow of him in F1...

[Giblet]

I look at it quite simply. His chances of getting into Red Bull F1 will be helped as much buy driving for Citroen, as his chances would be hindered if he was driving for Ford.

If Red Bull wants him, there is no back door needed whatsoever. They will have him if he and they want the relationship, no matter what he is doing right now, and that includes professional fly fishing, snowmobiling, or needle-point.

This Citroen drive keeps him in the Red Bull marketing stable,where he was already even with Ferrari because of his personal Red Bull sponsorship, but has no bearing on him getting or not getting a drive with RB F1.

It's hard to throw a stone at any racing series, on the ground, sea or air, and not hit a Red Bull sponsored vehicle.

[segedunum]

When RedBull obviously need to find a replacement for Webber for next year anyway, why not Kimi?

Obviously?

We all have to admit the pressure is on Mark Webber. He really should have followed up Vettel's reliability problems by winning at least one race in Bahrain or Australia. He should also have really won in Malaysia having got pole and from there should have led into the first corner to give him track position and the advantage he needed. The reliability woes his team mate has suffered should have put him in prime position in the championship i.e. first.

There are far to many occurences of the word 'should' in that paragraph, and while I can admit that Webber has had some bad luck you can't wave away two poor starts and some of his mishaps last season as purely down to bad luck. If he was having trouble with the car or something then I might understand, but he isn't.

[segedunum]

I look at it quite simply. His chances of getting into Red Bull F1 will be helped as much buy driving for Citroen, as his chances would be hindered if he was driving for Ford.

We've been through this. As sure as eggs is eggs, sponsors and money talks. It always has, it always will. Raikkonen is driving for Citroen backed to the hilt by Red Bull who are now backing his racing career. The simple fact is that he is not being backed by Red Bull to drive for Ford. He got a drive at Citroen because of his association with Red Bull. He is not driving for Citroen, he is driving for Red Bull.

These are not coincidences and they never have been. It happens in any racing formula at any level.

[lebesset]

suppose you had all the money you and your family could ever need
how about retiring and doing something you really like ...at someone else's expense !!!
sound like anyone you know about ?

[Giblet]

I look at it quite simply. His chances of getting into Red Bull F1 will be helped as much buy driving for Citroen, as his chances would be hindered if he was driving for Ford.

We've been through this. As sure as eggs is eggs, sponsors and money talks. It always has, it always will. Raikkonen is driving for Citroen backed to the hilt by Red Bull who are now backing his racing career. The simple fact is that he is not being backed by Red Bull to drive for Ford. He got a drive at Citroen because of his association with Red Bull. He is not driving for Citroen, he is driving for Red Bull.

These are not coincidences and they never have been. It happens in any racing formula at any level.

I'm not disagreeing with his current sponsorship and where it might lead, but if Red Bull want or don't want him, it doesn't matter what he is doing right now.

I'm just saying that if he WAS driving a Ford right now, and Red Bull wanted him for 2011, they would still get him to sign. The flipside is if they have decided they DON'T want him for 2011 for other reasons, the Citroen might as well be a Lada. He can be a sponsored personally Red Bull driver and drive for Ferrari, like he already was.

If they want him in the team, he will be there, if they don't he wont. My only point is what he is doing right now has no bearing on his 2011 drive. The sponsorship does smooth the way.

If Kimi is the man for the job in the eyes of Red Bull, nothing he does in 2010 makes a difference, ya dig?

[Pandamasque]

When RedBull obviously need to find a replacement for Webber for next year anyway, why not Kimi?

Obviously?

We all have to admit the pressure is on Mark Webber. He really should have followed up Vettel's reliability problems by winning at least one race in Bahrain or Australia. He should also have really won in Malaysia having got pole and from there should have led into the first corner to give him track position and the advantage he needed. The reliability woes his team mate has suffered should have put him in prime position in the championship i.e. first.

There are far to many occurences of the word 'should' in that paragraph, and while I can admit that Webber has had some bad luck you can't wave away two poor starts and some of his mishaps last season as purely down to bad luck. If he was having trouble with the car or something then I might understand, but he isn't.

It's not like Kimi never had 3 'bad' races in a row? The season is long, so many things can change by the time they'll think about 2011 contracts. Who knows, maybe Webbo will win the WDC by 1 point

[mkw0101]

Kimi is returning in 2011 when his 1 year sabattical absence expires.

Which teeam do you think he will race for?

I think he will race for Renault with Kubica because Petrov is struggling
to keep his job for 2011.

Any one knows when will Giancarlo Fiscichella will be racing?

[wesley123]

who says raikkonen will be returning?

[mkw0101]

This is only a question.

Even though no one knows wether he is returing to F1 or not but still it would be a good idea to guess where he might go or do next season.

[rfs]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85282

He's staying in rallying, buddy. Sorry.

[Pandamasque]

I think he will race for Renault with Kubica because Petrov is struggling
to keep his job for 2011.

Struggling?
1. he brings money to the team
2. he's learning fast, was ahead of Kubica over the whole weekend in Hungary

Any one knows when will Giancarlo Fiscichella will be racing?

He's racing quite actively both in Europe and the States. In fact just an hour or so ago he's finished at Mid Ohio Sports Car Challenge, not very hight though (due to an accident).