Exactly, why do kimi fans fail to see the truth and what really happened? It's beyond me.mertol wrote:3 years with the same car and same performance as Massa.
1 year Alonso mopped the floor with him.
this year consistently beaten by Vettel.
The conclusions - he is an average driver and that Lotus must have been a superb car.
14 June 2012 - 10h52, by GMM
Kimi Raikkonen’s seat at Lotus might not be secure, according to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
Villeneuve, whilst attending last weekend’s Canadian grand prix at the Montreal circuit named after his legendary father, described Lotus’ black and gold E20 car as "amazing".
The French Canadian suggested that with a top driver at the wheel, the Enstone based team might even be leading the world championship.
But what about Raikkonen? As the 2007 world champion who this season has made a widely-hailed F1 comeback, isn’t the laconic Finn a truly ’top driver’?
Not according to Villeneuve.
Indeed, whilst the 32-year-old has been on the podium twice so far in 2012 and is equal fifth in the drivers’ standings, Raikkonen has been regularly outqualified by his newcomer teammate Romain Grosjean this season.
"That he is usually behind Grosjean in pure performance makes me think he (Raikkonen) could be dropped," Villeneuve is quoted in the latest edition of France’s Auto Hebdo.
Finnish commentator Mika Salo acknowledged Raikkonen’s recent struggles, particularly the poor performances in Monaco and Canada.
At the same time, Frenchman Grosjean almost won in Montreal last Sunday.
"But this was just one good event for him," former Sauber and Toyota driver Salo told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.
Nonetheless, there are rumblings in the F1 paddock that not all is well in the relationship between Raikkonen and Lotus.
A big sticking point is the saga about the E20’s steering system.
"Now, it’s like with a child," an unnamed team member is quoted by the German-language Speed Week. "We’ve laid down six lollipops and he can choose one.
"There won’t be a seventh version of the steering for him," he insisted.
Salo acknowledged: "Kimi has retained his natural ability to drive a car, but he and the team definitely haven’t come to terms about what he needs.
"But as for Jacques Villeneuve, I doubt he has even spoken a single word to Kimi about what the problem really is. He is a complete outsider," Salo insisted.
"We can all have opinions, but the truth is very different to what Villeneuve said.
"I still think Kimi will win a race this season when the weekend is spot on.
"You can see that the relationship between Kimi and the team is really good. Although there are problems, there is still a good atmosphere.
"Some in the media allege that they are breaking up, but the real situation is quite the opposite. The team has full respect for Kimi, and Kimi respects the team," Salo insisted.
As long as this can be a calm debate, it can stay open.Manoah2u wrote:why does this topic even exist or be allowed to exist? it's blatant fanboy / haterism / my driver is better......
We can only hope, but Ferrari have been throwing excuses around to defend his poor form. Last year the car didnt suit him, this year they say its much better suited to him, yes he has gained some form but IMO it's not enough, especially when some one comes into your team and is out performing you. His time might simply be up.McG wrote:Let's see how the rest of the year works out for Kimi. He seems to get better as the cars gain downforce and engine maps become more refined, which for Ferrari usually takes a year or two.
What makes you think he will improve after being like this in all of the 5 years he drove for the team?McG wrote:Let's see how the rest of the year works out for Kimi. He seems to get better as the cars gain downforce and engine maps become more refined, which for Ferrari usually takes a year or two.
Exactly.mertol wrote:What makes you think he will improve after being like this in all of the 5 years he drove for the team?McG wrote:Let's see how the rest of the year works out for Kimi. He seems to get better as the cars gain downforce and engine maps become more refined, which for Ferrari usually takes a year or two.
) ?
Since when was Jacques opinion on anything worth any more than a Canadian penny?PlatinumZealot wrote:I was one of those saying the Lotus was the best car of 2012 after the first race. It was perfectly matched to those Pirrellis. All you had to do was qualify in the top 5 and the race will be yours. It has montrous race pace. Even Jacques Villeneuve felt that car was the best.
I couldn't find the interview but I found a related article. Still interesting.
http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Vill ... 43618.html
Same thing I used to say about Niki Lauda... but later I realise the old git was just calling like it is.megz wrote:Since when was Jacques opinion on anything worth any more than a Canadian penny?PlatinumZealot wrote:I was one of those saying the Lotus was the best car of 2012 after the first race. It was perfectly matched to those Pirrellis. All you had to do was qualify in the top 5 and the race will be yours. It has montrous race pace. Even Jacques Villeneuve felt that car was the best.
I couldn't find the interview but I found a related article. Still interesting.
http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Vill ... 43618.html
). Not to take anything away from Kimi though. It's a conspiracy mate, there was no way Bernie or anyone would let a rookie win a championship could you imagine what that would do for the sport? Would make it look like anyone could win in there first year.Shrieker wrote:Age takes it's toll on everyone differently. The Kimi of 2003-2006 was fantastic. IMHO he should've won in 2003 and not 2007 (that should've gone to Hamilton
Yeah true.Shrieker wrote:The political climate at the time was very much anti mclaren but i'd rather prefer it wasn't one (a conspiracy).
Either way, we'll never know. The least of my worries
