2025 Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team

[gastonmazzacane]

The rumour thing about Montezemolo is true (albeit only a rumour), but Todt actually became CEO of Ferrari in 2004.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Why did Ferrari see fit to dismantle the Schumacher-Todt-Brawn-Byrne super team of the mentioned period? Why not give Ross Brawn a permanent senior role with ownership as he desired, perhaps taking over from the FIA-bound Todt as team principal?

According to the rumour mill of the time it was because Di Montezemolo felt pushed to the side and made unimportant by the Schumacher-Todt-Brawn core.

So he hired Kimi stepping over Todt and forcing Michael to make a decision, which ended up being his temporary retirement.
Todt wanted to be Ferrari president, moving from team boss to run the entire base at Maranello, road car division included, Luca didn't give him that so he walked(it was a few years before Jean decided to run for FIA president).
And ultimately he chose Domenicalli over Brawn as the new team boss, which led to Ross moving to greener pastures(Honda) where he was going to be in charge.

Räikkönen told in his book that he signed the 2007 Ferrari contract as early as 2005. So Schumacher was reigning champion when Ferrari decided to replace him.

[Sevach]

Räikkönen told in his book that he signed the 2007 Ferrari contract as early as 2005. So Schumacher was reigning champion when Ferrari decided to replace him.

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

The rumour thing about Montezemolo is true (albeit only a rumour), but Todt actually became CEO of Ferrari in 2004.

On paper he got the job... but at same time with his position at FIAT plus board of directors Montezemolo started overulling Jean on who would drive for the team or who would be in charge of the team day to day operations...
And Todt chose to move on shortly after 07.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Räikkönen told in his book that he signed the 2007 Ferrari contract as early as 2005. So Schumacher was reigning champion when Ferrari decided to replace him.

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

[Sevach]

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

Wether he actually intended to pair Kimi and Michael or he simply used Kimi's arrival and Michael losing number 1 status as a way to get rid of Michael is something we'll never know... But he didn't outright say "thank you for your services" and closed the door on Michael.
I think both Michael and Massa confirmed this, Massa was waiting on Michael's decision.
Michael was still given a new contract option but it was under very different conditions to his previous one, and Montezemolo negotiated with Kimi before Michael.
Montezemolo took away Michael's negotiating leverage and made a, "gun to your head", stay or go offer.
And Michael chose to walk away.

Kimi would need to move anyway because Fernando signed with Mclaren before even sealing the 2005 title.
Ron did the same thing Luca did, signed a new star driver before going into negotiation with his current star and told him "Do you wanna stay? These are the terms... if you don't like it here's the door", so Kimi was eager to leave Mclaren and Ferrari was the most competitive option.
There was also Renault as an option(which took a nose dive in 07 but no one was predicting this) but they wouldn't reach Kimi's salary.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Kimi would need to move anyway because Fernando signed with Mclaren before even sealing the 2005 title.
Ron did the same thing Luca did, signed a new star driver before going into negotiation with his current star and told him "Do you wanna stay? These are the terms... if you don't like it here's the door", so Kimi was eager to leave Mclaren and Ferrari was the most competitive option.
There was also Renault as an option(which took a nose dive in 07 but no one was predicting this) but they wouldn't reach Kimi's salary.

Are we sure about the timeline? Wasn't McLaren eager to sign Räikkönen, who didn't respond and then they went after Alonso, meanwhile Räikkönen perhaps had his preliminary Ferrari contract in his pocket?

[Seanspeed]

Räikkönen told in his book that he signed the 2007 Ferrari contract as early as 2005. So Schumacher was reigning champion when Ferrari decided to replace him.

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

Man that would have been interesting. The myth of Raikkonen being the 'fastest man in F1' would have been shattered so quickly, given Raikkonen ultimately never proved to be any better than Massa.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

Man that would have been interesting. The myth of Raikkonen being the 'fastest man in F1' would have been shattered so quickly, given Raikkonen ultimately never proved to be any better than Massa.

Prime-Räikkönen was fast. He also beat Coulthard, Montoya and so on, while Schumacher only had number two drivers alongside him before Rosberg.

[djones]

Random comment on Raikkonen...

Not sure on the year, but it was in a McLaren. I was at the first corner at Silverstone, and no other driver was as on the edge as him. He was lap after lap visually at between 99% and 101% through the corner.

I saw a similar thing with Kovalainen on a testing day one time, too.

[Seanspeed]

Prime-Räikkönen was fast. He also beat Coulthard, Montoya and so on, while Schumacher only had number two drivers alongside him before Rosberg.

Raikkonen was never half as good as people thought he was. Beating Coulthard isn't an impressive feat(plus DC was better in 2002). Montoya was also somewhat overrated and Raikkonen and he weren't all that different in ultimate competitivneness.

Raikkonen was still fully in his 'prime' when he went and partnered Massa at Ferrari. They spent three years together and this supposedly fastest man in F1 proved no better than Massa in the end. Pretty much just bang on equal. The same Massa that got spanked by Schumacher, and then also Alonso as soon as he replaced Raikkonen at Ferrari. And all coming into a situation where he was fully expected to be the #1 guy at Ferrari, so it's not like you could argue that the team wasn't supporting him enough or anything, either.

I dont really understand how anybody can still look back and not realize that Raikkonen was simply never that good, and was constantly flattered by having underrated cars, like all those Newey-designed Mclarens, that were themselves being let down by non-top drivers.

Not saying Kimi was ever bad, just so completely obviously never this top driver that people thought he was.

[Polite]

Räikkönen told in his book that he signed the 2007 Ferrari contract as early as 2005. So Schumacher was reigning champion when Ferrari decided to replace him.

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

I remember that story well and what Leo Turrini said at the time and after. Schumacher had the choice to continue as long as he wanted. Raikkonen had already been signed for 2007, and Scumacher decided to quit to allow Massa to stay at Ferrari and take on Raikkonen.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Prime-Räikkönen was fast. He also beat Coulthard, Montoya and so on, while Schumacher only had number two drivers alongside him before Rosberg.

Raikkonen was never half as good as people thought he was. Beating Coulthard isn't an impressive feat(plus DC was better in 2002). Montoya was also somewhat overrated and Raikkonen and he weren't all that different in ultimate competitivneness.

Raikkonen was still fully in his 'prime' when he went and partnered Massa at Ferrari. They spent three years together and this supposedly fastest man in F1 proved no better than Massa in the end. Pretty much just bang on equal. The same Massa that got spanked by Schumacher, and then also Alonso as soon as he replaced Raikkonen at Ferrari. And all coming into a situation where he was fully expected to be the #1 guy at Ferrari, so it's not like you could argue that the team wasn't supporting him enough or anything, either.

I dont really understand how anybody can still look back and not realize that Raikkonen was simply never that good, and was constantly flattered by having underrated cars, like all those Newey-designed Mclarens, that were themselves being let down by non-top drivers.

Not saying Kimi was ever bad, just so completely obviously never this top driver that people thought he was.

Prime-Kimi, especially 2003-2007, was fast. Without an unreliable Merc engine, he would have been a three-time champion. Ferrari did sign him even when Schumi was reigning champion, so he surely was fast. It did pay out when Kimi won the championship in his Ferrari debut season.

Have to mention also 2012-2013 at Lotus, which was a magnificent comeback when he almost bankrupted the team. After 2014, Kimi was aging like wine.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Yes, Kimi signed at some point of 05, with Michael deciding on retirement mid 06.

From Montezemolo's perspective he didn't really fire or told Michael he wasn't needed anymore.
He offered him a new contract but under very different conditions, Kimi would join the team for 2007, this was already decided.
And Michael wouldn't have priority anymore, open fight between team mates.
Massa would be moved down, probably back to Sauber.

Michael decided to step down and retire, and Massa kept the seat for 2007(and 08, 09...)

I have heard that Räikkönen's contract was kept secret because of Schumacher's #1 driver clauses and sponsors. Räikkönen's contract was actually a preliminary contract which was activated when Schumacher would retire. So, was there even an intention to pair Räikkönen and Schumacher? It's very hard to believe that prime-Räikkönen would have signed with Ferrari so early just to join next to Schumacher, who was famous for destroying teammates.

I remember that story well and what Leo Turrini said at the time and after. Schumacher had the choice to continue as long as he wanted. Raikkonen had already been signed for 2007, and Scumacher decided to quit to allow Massa to stay at Ferrari and take on Raikkonen.

So we could say Schumacher was afraid of Kimi and was saving his dignity by retiring.

[ToffeeTyres]

Being a sprint weekend and if the new suspension is on the cars this weekend we probably won’t see the true performance from it as they will likely have ride height slightly higher with it being a sprint weekend. They should be able to change planks one for practice and sprint one for main quali and GP of course it will wear more using only one for whole weekend, just isn’t right that they don’t factor that in. Really don’t like sprint weekends but looking forward to the Grand Prix love Spa

[erikejw]

Massa preferred a slightly understeer car with less front.

Kimi needed a great frontend with bite and good corner entry.

Ferrari had the philosophy then that an understeering car was the fastest. Schumacher stayed on as development driver for the team, giving input in future directions.

He also had everyone behind him in the team.
Hence the car was developed to Massas liking.

Kimi also changed from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres.

Kimi definitely didnt drive his best during those years or for what he was paid either.