Kimi Raikkonen will return to Ferrari next season, five years after he was dropped by the team.
Ferrari confirmed the news on Wednesday, the day after Felipe Massa announced his eight-year tenure at at the team was coming to an end.
Raikkonen has signed a two-year deal to drive for the team who he last raced for between 2007 and 2009. A statement from from Ferrari confirmed he will “join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons”.
“I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years,” said Raikkonen. “I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years, first and foremost, winning the world championship title in 2007, which was really unforgettable.”
“I can’t wait to be driving a prancing horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves.”
Ferrari scored their last championship success with the Raikkonen-Massa partnership in 2008 and Raikkonen is the team’s most recent drivers’ champion. He will partner Fernando Alonso, the driver who replaced him in 2010.
Raikkonen and Alonso were championship rivals in 2005 while racing for McLaren and Renault respectively. They won seven races each that year but Alonso won the title with two rounds to spare.
It brings an end Raikkonen’s association with Lotus, with which he returned to Formula One last year following a two-year absence from the sport in the wake of his departure from Ferrari.
Alonso said: “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge.”
“I want to thank Felipe for all the support he has given me and the team during this journey we have made together over all these years,” he added.
“Come the end of the season, it will not be easy to say goodbye to a team-mate like him. He has always been truly professional and loyal to the team and I am sure that right to the end, he will do his utmost for the Scuderia that he loves so much.”
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali added: “I am pleased to welcome Kimi back to the Scuderia, the team with which he won his world championship title.”
“I sense he is very happy to be returning to Maranello and very determined to tackle the work that awaits him in the best way possible.”
Domenicali also added his thanks to Massa for his eight years of service as one of the team’s racing drivers: “I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years.”
“Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level.”
“He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future. Now we must concentrate all our efforts on the remaining seven races of the season and we know that, as always, we can count on Felipe’s contribution, while we work together to reach our goals. Our determination will not waver one iota right to the very end.”
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Image © GP3/LAT
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:05
Horray, at last, I am very very happy with this news.
Commendatore (@commendatore)
11th September 2013, 13:48
Yep, Ferrari will have the BEST driver line-up in 2014. By FAR! :)
Should be an interesting 2014 season provided that Ferrari provides them a competitive car…
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 13:51
@commendatore now you tell me:
Alonso + Hamilton (2007) or Alonso + Raikkonen (2014)?
Commendatore (@commendatore)
11th September 2013, 13:58
@jcost
The latter. ;)
Bleu (@bleu)
11th September 2013, 17:28
To think what it was/is before the season, Alo/Räi wins hands down. Hamilton’s real strength was revealed only during the season.
scuderia_fan85 (@scuderia_fan85)
11th September 2013, 23:42
Alonso + Raikkonen…hands down!
Henry
17th October 2013, 22:47
Easy to forget Lewis was still a rookie and scored the same points as Alonso, and so nearly won the title in his first attempt. IMO its the 2007 line up that was stronger :P
OmarR-Pepper (@)
11th September 2013, 16:59
Now I will cheer for Vettel at Red Bull and for Kimi at Ferrari. Looks like a win-win from my fan point of view, and not only for Ferrari and Red Bull fans, but for F1 fans in general because with these line-ups (and don’t forget Hamilton-Rosberg in Mercedes) next year will be HOT TO SEE!!!
TMF (@)
11th September 2013, 17:21
I’m not that optimistic for next year – imo, 1 team will get it right with the new aero package and the new engine and run away with it. only DNFs will keep the championship interesting. (though I hope I’m wrong)
Jimi (@hendrix666)
11th September 2013, 20:37
@tmf42 Let’s hope its Marussia who does!! LOL That would be kind of messed up eh?
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:06
The Hulk better get the Lotus seat now. I would much rather have had Hulk there, but it’ll be an interesting dynamic within the team with both Alonso and Raikkonen in the team. Should be Hulk though.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:09
Why does everyone keep going on about the Hulk? Really I do not see the amazingness of him bar a couple of great quallys. I certainly can not see how anyone could rate him over Kimi, except possibly for long term potential?
Red Andy (@red-andy)
11th September 2013, 13:13
If you watched him before he came to F1, you’d understand. Certainly on a par with the likes of Hamilton in terms of performance in the junior formulae. Granted, that doesn’t always translate to brilliance in F1 but from what we’ve seen so far there’s reason to be optimistic.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:18
@red-andy, yes I admit I have not really followed him before F1 so that’s probaly why I don’t get it.
But still, who isn’t relishing Alonso V Kimi next year? so exciting!!
Patrick (@paeschli)
11th September 2013, 14:00
If they have a good car :P I don’t want to see them fighting for 10th place or so …
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 16:16
@red-andy @philereid I hope it does not turn out to be that After Hulk Moves to Lotus , the Lotus Form Slumps significantly next year and the Sauber picks up pace. That was what exactly happened to Hulk on the Move from Force India to Sauber this year.
It is a possibility that we cannot rule out because of the the new found cash for Sauber from the Russian Group and a better Ferrari engine than renault.
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 16:18
Added to the fact that James Alison and Kimi Raikkonen not available to provide feedback to the car development. Lotus might be up for tough times.
Loko
11th September 2013, 23:45
Slumps with Sauber and Lotus on consecutive years could hurt Hulk´s career badly. Its quite risky to move from Sauber to Lotus now. Having second not so great year with Sauber might be less risky.. And if you guys dont like Hulk, you should watch incar of his pole lap. I have been kinda fan since then.. It wasnt luck with weather/tires.. He was pushing the car far beyond of human limits :-)
Well, Ferrari.. It will be really exacting year. I hope they have good car.
Egon (@egon)
11th September 2013, 13:15
well he was pretty fantastic in Brazil last year taking the fight to both the McLarens until he ran into Hamilton though I don’t think he deserved a penalty for that.
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
11th September 2013, 14:00
@egon yes, the way he ran into Hamilton who was leading his last race for Mclaren from pole was pretty fantastic. He was given so much room and spun like a rookie. He wasn’t fantastic in Brazil, he was greedy and reckless.
RAMBOII
11th September 2013, 14:36
His pace was fantastic. Did you forget it was raining? It might have been his only chance to pass Hamilton en he lost it over a wet patch of track, that doesn’t make him reckless. He wanted to win, and he could still have, if the stewards didn’t give him a penalty for something that could happen to every driver.
KeeleyObsessed (@keeleyobsessed)
11th September 2013, 15:02
@andrewf1
I don’t think it matters who Hulkenburg crashed into. I buy the opinion that he was given room by Hamilton and it was unfortunate that he slid out and hit him.
Maybe he shouldn’t have got a drive-through, but he was certainly the one at fault.
I find involving emotions in arguments, particularly when they involve laws and regulations, is pretty childish. Hulkenburg drove a good race (As did Hamilton) and made a mistake. He got punished, but he shouldn’t be judged based on who he took out. He’d have got the penalty if he’d had hit the Caterham. It’s a shame, but that doesn’t make him ‘greedy and reckless’
Mads (@mads)
11th September 2013, 16:52
@andrewf1
Hamilton has previously crashed in amateur fashion. So has Alonso. So has Vettel. So has Schumacher. Even Kimi has been there.
He showed that he isn’t afraid to fight, not even when the conditions are difficult and he is up against one of the best drivers in the field.
The great drivers are never the ones, who are able to keep their nose clean.
That takes a few years to learn. As long as they accept that they made a mistake and learn from it. But if they don’t make mistakes, they can’t learn from them.
He ended up looking silly with just a few points, but he will have learnt from it and become a better racing driver.
Vettel was labeled “the crash kid” in 2010. Now look at where he is at.
matt90 (@matt90)
12th September 2013, 0:04
It was unfortunate, but he ruined somebody else’s race by his own mistake. Had the condition of that corner changed much over the previous few laps?
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:20
@zippyone It’s a combination of me wanting to see the young talent and long term potential come through, but also I wanted Hulk to get the seat because that would mean he’s safe for probably a few more years in F1, to prove himself as a championship contender. Don’t get me wrong, I love the prospect of Raikkonen v Alonso, but that would only be a relatively short-term thing, compared to what Hulkenburg would be.
V. Chris (@vasschu)
11th September 2013, 15:32
@zippyone
He did something special in every season so far in 3 different teams. Pole with Williams 2010, fought for the win with Force India 2012, and fantastic race at Monza 2013. Also his last two seasons are much much stronger than overall his teammates and all of this suggests that this boy can deliver. But to see if he really can stand next to the big guys, first we should see him in stronger car. No one from the midfield is performing better i believe. For me this is the best pilot without world title on the grid right now.
Nick.UK (@)
11th September 2013, 17:20
Even better than Rosberg? I’d certainly agree he’s the best midfield driver. But maybe Rosberg has a little more in the bag.
V. Chris (@vasschu)
12th September 2013, 8:49
@nick-uk
It’s hard to compare them yet and i’m sure they are closely matched. I won’t lie – i like Hulk more and thats why i believe he is the better driver. But do i have proof? No :)
Hotbottoms (@hotbottoms)
11th September 2013, 13:14
@philereid
I think Hülkenberg is a great driver and I hope he’ll get a top seat, if not this year then the next one. But seriously (and yes, I’m saying this as a Räikkönen supporter) Alonso-Räikkönen is an amazing line up, two world champions with curious personalities in a top team! I’m really looking forward for this.
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:18
@hotbottoms I completely agree. It’s not like this is bad for anyone, and I am really looking forward to the battle. The main reason I wanted Hulk there is mainly because his career is on the line. However, he could now get the Lotus drive, and then if he doesn’t, hopefully Sauber retain him, but I don’t see that happening. Not taking the Hulk could possibly be bad for Hulk, and as he’s my close second favourite driver on the grid (close to Ham above him), I’d be absolutely gutted if he was to be dropped from F1.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:21
@philereid Oh I did not realise his career was on the line, well I certainly would not want that, he deserves a drive next year, for sure.
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
11th September 2013, 13:30
It isn’t ‘officially’ on the line, but we know Sauber are highly unlikely to retain him because he doesn’t bring money and there are few other avenues open.
The problem is he’s had few chances to shine given circumstance.
Dragon (@dragon88)
11th September 2013, 13:18
I have to agree. I was hoping until the last moment that Hulkenberg would snatch the Ferrari drive. I thought it made much more sense. But, alas, it was not to be.
Still quite thrilled at watching Kimi and Fernando in the same car, though!
Now I’m really hoping Boullier gives young Nico a chance to prove his worth in a competitive team.
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 13:50
Yes, Ferrari should hire Hulk. But signing Kimi for two year is quite smart. 2014 is the “starting season” if he fails, it’s will be OK, but if he fails again in 2015 they will go for Hulk or another promising young driver.
Now Lotus will have an interesting duo as well. Grosjean is fairly quick, he has race management issues to iron but time will fix that, he’s better than Kimi extracting that one killer lap out the Lotus and he does shine on Sundays too, not as often as Boulier would like but I wouldn’t fire him for Massa.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 14:03
@jcost Kimi will not fail! What gives you this idea? I think in 2008/9 he was just a bit bored/lazy with F1 as he had achieved his title but with his rally break has come a new fire and he seems determined to get another title. He could just do that next year or 2015.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 15:48
@philereid
Will Buxton suggested, during NBC’s Spa coverage, that Lotus may sign Maldonado next year for his badly needed sponsorship dollars. I think that with Kimi’s signing, the Hulk will be out of luck for at least another season.
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 17:08
@pandaslap Which is what I’ve always been worried about, which is one of the big reasons why I wanted it to be Hulk to Ferrari.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 18:35
@pandaslap I can see Maldonado in Lotus, but I could also see Grosjean out of Lotus for failing to deliver.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 18:49
@vettel1
Hasn’t Boullier gone on record saying that he will back RoGro no matter what?
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 18:57
@pandaslap couldn’t tell you I’m afraid but I imagine that it won’t be solely his decision anyway. He’s been nowhere near as good as Räikkönen and although I do agree he may even perhaps have more natural speed, he just doesn’t have the spacial awareness or mental skill, or indeed consistency.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 21:09
@vettel1
I don’t disagree with your assessment one bit but, if Enstone had real problems with his spacial awareness, mental skill, or consistency, they could have cut him loose a long time ago.
Other than Kimi (or Alonso, if you go back far enough) RoGro is one of the fastest drivers Enstone has had in a long time – and they may be reluctant to part with him. From their point of view, if they keep RoGro and add Maldonado they get more money, have two talented drivers behind the wheel, and some continuity within the team.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 21:18
@pandaslap all very good, but they’d need somebody to bring the car home haha!
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 22:32
@vettel1
lol… they might want to save that long wheelbase chassis – they will go through a lot of them in 2014.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 22:39
@pandaslap That’d be like an arrow haha ;)
On a slightly more sincere note thought, I think I’m one of the few people who actually like Maldonado! I think the guy has serious talent, he just needs to have a firm hand to sort out his temperament!
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 16:03
Yes Lotus should Grab Hulk now .
He deserves the drive !
caci99 (@)
11th September 2013, 13:08
There we have it now. It was unbelievable a couple of months ago. I was very very lightly hopping for Hulkenberg, but…
caci99 (@)
11th September 2013, 13:13
When this article was wrote, I had the very first thought that maybe he was going back to Ferrari.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
11th September 2013, 13:09
An interesting turnaround from Ferrari given their frustration with Kimi’s attitude when things weren’t going his way in 2008-9. Hopefully they can build a car to match their world class drivers for 2014.
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
11th September 2013, 14:21
@red-andy
they should. Ferrari got Byrne, Allison, and Fry designing the next year car, with three titles between Alonso and Raikkonen. if Vettel and Newey were still beating them, well I don’t know what to say.
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 18:11
@adityafakhri oh yeah there is always the excuse that “The Wind Tunnel was not calibrated correctly”
BTW if Alonso and Kimi have very different driving style which I believe they do, then it will be a very difficult proposition to build a car that would suit both styles. Having said that I don’t think are off the mark by a great margin as they might be able to find a mutually amicable design.
Journeyer (@journeyer)
11th September 2013, 13:09
Just as big (for me) is the confirmation that Alonso will stay at Ferrari.
Hulk should be odds-on favorite now for the Lotus seat, but Adam Cooper says Massa still has a legitimate shot at the seat. One of the team’s sponsors, Richard Mille, has strong ties with Nicolas Todt, Felipe’s manager.
Dan Brown (@danbrown180)
11th September 2013, 14:03
Massa should bow out gracefully.
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 16:37
If massa swaps with Hulk . That is going to be a disappointment . Sure Massa can deliver to an extent but Hulk can take the car one notch like what Kimi has been doing so far.
kcarrey (@kcarrey)
11th September 2013, 13:09
so they decided to take the short-term route
how i wished they’ve signed hulkenberg
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:09
I think they have half an eye on Vettel for 2015/2016, so the next couple of years will see which of the oldies should make way… perhaps both?
Colossal Squid (@colossal-squid)
11th September 2013, 17:02
I don’t particularly see the problem with the drivers they’ve chosen. Sure, it would be great to get some fresh talent in the other Ferrari seat (ie. Hulkenberg) who could grow and be there for a decade.
However Alonso and Raikkonen are two clearly outstanding drivers, and this is a fantastic pairing that all F1 fans would love to see! Alonso at 32 and Raikkonen at 33 have at least five years left at the top of their game – look at how Schumacher retired at the height of his powers in 2006 when he was 37. When this pairing is done in two years, and I hope it goes longer, but even then there will still be plenty of long term options available to Ferrari.
Breno (@austus)
11th September 2013, 17:44
2015 will be Bianchi’s third season. That would be a good time to promote him to Ferrari, assuming he keeps showing talent.
TMF (@)
11th September 2013, 19:27
It gives them all the options – Hülkenberg is a great driver but probably not what they were looking for.
They will try to get Hamilton or Vettel for 2016 and complete the line-up with Bianchi or another academy driver.
BrawnGP (@brawngp)
11th September 2013, 13:09
YES!!!!!! 2014 Im thinking Vettel will probably still win drivers championship… but I think it could definatly be Ferrari constructors´title!
M Melb
11th September 2013, 13:10
There is nothing official in this article at all, no press release from Ferrari or Raikonnen, no quotes or statements, nothing. This may be about to happen but nothing in this article despite the title provides anything official at all!
Dave (@)
11th September 2013, 16:51
@InsideFerrari is making a huge amount of noise on Twitter. And yes, that’s the official Twitter account of Scuderia Ferrari.
Funkyf1 (@funkyf1)
11th September 2013, 13:10
A year after they first tried to lure him, the deal is done. It’s believed to be one plus one deal.
verstappen (@verstappen)
11th September 2013, 13:12
Now I just hope Alonso really stays. Because it’ll be an epic battle!
bsnaylor (@bsnaylor)
11th September 2013, 13:14
He is, it’s also been confirmed.
WarfieldF1 (@warfieldf1)
11th September 2013, 13:41
I havent seen anything about Alonso; where has it been confirmed he is staying?
Shreyas Mohanty (@)
11th September 2013, 13:47
Read the article.
DaveF1 (@davef1)
11th September 2013, 14:15
@warfieldf1
The fact he’s welcomed Kimi as his new team mate might be a slight hint ;-)
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 14:59
Or the fact that he has a contract until 2015 or 2016… I don’t see LDM letting Alonso go so easily, unless of course Santander ponies up, say, 20m :p
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:25
@davef1 read the article again, he didn’t welcome Kimi as his new teammate. “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion…” :D
bsnaylor (@bsnaylor)
11th September 2013, 13:12
Fireworks ahead! :)
farmzone.net (@s2g-unit)
11th September 2013, 13:13
Amazing! Go Kimi!
This is going to be fun to watch!
Hulk deserves a better drive, hopefully he goes to Lotus & they produce a decent car
Shreyas Mohanty (@)
11th September 2013, 13:13
Hooray! My two favourite drivers in my favourite team! Looking forward to the battles. And yeah, guys, Alonso isn’t gonna chicken out – time to prove people wrong ALO!
Todfod (@todfod)
11th September 2013, 17:51
My top 2 drivers as well.
The Adrian Newey dominance got me really tired of F1, and Red Bull’s fear of putting a competitive teammate against Vettel really spoiled the 2014 season for me.
Luckily its Ferrari to the rescue. Its great to finally see a team put two tier 1 drivers as teammates.
Ronald Cimafranca (@cima)
11th September 2013, 13:14
Well, I hope Ferrari have still kept the refrigerator to keep Kimi’s ice cream bars cool.
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:17
I also hope Ferrari can resist the temptation to hire Lotus’ hashtag wizard and keep the Kimi memes to a minimum.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 16:33
@npf1
+1000
Valhyre (@ausuma)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Not really a surprise.
Hope Felipe gets the lotus seat and can be sucessfull there.
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 14:02
Felipe is looking at:
Lotus, Sauber, Williams and Force India. Odds don’t look good.
smokinjoe (@smokinjoe)
11th September 2013, 14:16
It is very likely that hulk will get the lotus seat,then massa should go for the vacant sauber,2014 is a very important year because of the rule change and massa experience with ferrari will definitely help sauber in developing their car.Sauber wont be going in to next year with two rookie drivers i guess they need some one like massa as well
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:00
Maybe he should look at Marussia when Sauber pick up Bianchi.
Todfod (@todfod)
11th September 2013, 17:55
I honestly think Massa would make a good reserve driver for either Caterham or Marrussia.
I just dont think he can manage better than that right now
Guilherme (@guilherme)
11th September 2013, 21:32
@Todfod I can see you don’t have the slightest flicker of respect for Massa’s achievements, but the man himself does – he stated numerous times that he a) would not become a pay driver and b) would not drive for Caterham or Marussia
Todfod (@todfod)
12th September 2013, 6:59
@guilherme
Its not about lacking respect. I just honestly think he isn’t a good option for a lot of midfield teams.
Force India have a strong line up. Sauber needs pay drivers. Toro Rosso need young upcoming talent. Lotus have strong options already for Kimi’s replacement. Williams might be a team that could use him, but I dont know who they will replace – the money or the young talent.
That leaves us with Marrussia and Caterham… both of which need money, but could also use the experience of a driver driving for a top team.
They just seem like the most viable options for Felipe.
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Good news for F1. Ferrari needed a departure from its traditional values. Shame for Hulkenberg though…
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Egg on the face situation for Ferrari no matter what they announced.
By signing Kimi they are effectively admitting they let the wrong driver go in 2010. If they signed Hulkenberg they would be admitting that Alonso has enough sway to dictate his teammate.
Pro: End of “who is going to Ferrari?” speculation.
Con: Hulkenberg deserves the drive.
Massive con: DiResta’s PR team will get hours of plugs about “missing out” on a top drive he was never in the running for anyway.
Dion (@infinitygc)
11th September 2013, 13:28
Is it weird I read “BBC F1 Coverage” instead of “DiResta’s PR team”? Also, thanks for the small chuckle!
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 17:10
5 solid minutes of him on the bbc “exploring his Italian heritage” was tv at its most awkward. The BBC really do seem to be captivated, sadly.
Deej92 (@deej92)
11th September 2013, 18:03
I agree. It also made me cringe that di Resta’s name was even linked with Ferrari. That’s as bad as people linking Kobayashi with the Ferrari seat.
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 14:06
I’d rather see Hulk drive at Lotus and show us nice and surprising podiums, than having him come second to Fernando at all places.
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
11th September 2013, 14:47
agree on that @bascb. he can also be a slight parameter on:
– how good HE really is
– how good Grosjean really is
– is Kimi’s comeback as good as people thought?
– is Lotus a top team
(IMO)
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 17:32
I think the first question would be answered more reliably if Hulkenberg went to Ferrari next to Alonso
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:06
:O
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:11
Letting Massa go the season after his accident would not have been the right thing to do. I think this move by Ferrari means nothing of the sort.
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:02
Why? Plenty of other sports teams let go of their athletes if they had a major injury and return to do poorly… But it wasn’t the season after the injury, it would have been the same season, right? So in essence, he should have been released in summer/fall of 2010.
Dave (@)
11th September 2013, 16:54
He scored 5 podiums and ~60% the points of Alonso in 2010. Not poor, by any means.
hobo (@hobo)
11th September 2013, 21:53
@raceprouk – I agree, not horrible stats. And given what had happened it is understandable that Ferrari wanted to keep him. By any measure, could have been 2008 WDC (I get that he wasn’t, just saying that he drove well enough to be there), injured in 2009, not a horrible 2010. but since then it’s been bad.
For the 2010-2012 seasons, looking at the top three teams (FER, RBR, MCL) the cumulative stats for the drivers are:
MAS scored 49% of ALO pts total and 21% of the podiums.
WEB scored 73% of VET pts total and 65% of the podiums.
HAM scored 98% of BUT pts total and 88% of the podiums.
VET was certainly the standout with 929 pts and 37 podiums but of the other 4 non-MAS drivers, HAM had 657 pts and 22 podiums. MAS had 384 and 7. That is only 58% of HAM pts and 32% of his podiums. I realize this is a lot of numbers but comparing MAS, the sixth driver in this group of six, to the fifth driver HAM, MAS is still the worst in comparison.
I don’t hate Massa, by any means. (I hate that he seems to have started the “for sure” plague that has spread across F1 interviews like wildfire, but that’s neither here nor there.) I have liked him and pulled for him; and I feel a bit bad for him now. But it’s past time for him to go.
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 23:36
Ferrari paid Kimi not to drive for a year, and his contract was up the following year. Massa, from a recovery point of view, would have been much better off with another 6 months out at least.
It would have made more sense to keep Massa as third driver, leave Kimi driving in 2010, and wait to see what was the best option for 2011.
However that assumes that Alonso hadn’t vetoed keeping Kimi, and that politically Kimi was a viable contender within the team. Team politics clearly trumped logic that time.
Julien (@jlracing)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Very good news!
I think Kimi wanted to go to Ferrari because the weather in Italy is much better then in England
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th September 2013, 13:17
Terrific news, glad it’s finally confirmed.
Best Ferrari driver line-up since 1990!
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:22
Easily, even though I can’t get the idea out of my head we could have had this line-up since 2010.. This announcement has only re-awakened my confusion about sending Kimi on paid leave for 2010 while retaining Massa..
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:06
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY :D :D :D :D :D
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:13
Well said. Kudos to Ferrari for finally going ahead a doing it. I’m sure they have gone up a notch (if not several) in every F1 fans book. Now we all know that this is an explosive pairing and potentially the best in the paddock. But the question is, will it back fire on their faces? One thing’s guaranteed though: Absolute entertainment for the fans.
2005, 2007 re-match – but this time in the same car – 20014, bring it on!
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:21
I’m glad to see Raikkonen in a better car and he’s one of my favorite drivers, so joining one of my favorite teams is good news.
I do hope this ends all the social media hype around Raikkonen, though. Very much tired of the ‘Leave me alone’ jokes, since it was utterly rude of Kimi. I doubt Ferrari will cash in on comments like that, as there are no ‘you are all idiots’ shirts being printed in Italy right now. It’s strange having my favorite 2 drivers at my favorite team, yet the three of them being of questionable decency the last couple of years..
I’ll still be smiling like a kid come the first 2014 team pictures, though.
Alley
11th September 2013, 13:25
It’s good to see Kimi in red. Epic race for 2014. Koba for Lotus!
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:04
Would love to see a KOB return, but I don’t think it will be in his cards for Lotus, sadly.
SeaHorse (@seahorse)
11th September 2013, 13:28
Ah.. My prediction collapsed. But a lethal pair of drivers in the Scuderia. Forza Ferrari for breaking the no-two-roosters-in-hen-house jinx. Now I really hope Nico Hulkenberg stays in F1 next year let alone finding a top seat.
smokinjoe (@smokinjoe)
11th September 2013, 14:33
i read some where that eric boullier said there plan B is to give hulk the drive if kimi finally leave lotus.Pretty sure that we will get that confirmation soon,BTW hulk is the best amongst the rest of midfield drivers ,really wondering will massa get the drive for next year or its curtains for him
Garns (@)
11th September 2013, 13:32
Wow- there we go! I was hoping The Hulk would get the seat but equally happy to see (hopefully) a Fernando V Kimi challenge in 2014! There are talks on an Alonso shift to Lotus if this were to happen, but I really cant see it. While Alonso is quite happy to have Phillipe have his back and take some points for the team and may not want a real equal at #1 (which Kimi will be……….. on paper) if he were to now shoot off to Lotus and get the protection of the #1 status he would loose so much credibility!!
I am not saying he is stoked to have Kimi there but Alonso is a guy that oozes talent & confidence and will just take it on board and set about beeting his new team-mate. His new team-mate, however, is not a shy lad sitting in the corner is he, and expects to beat Fernando…………….. I am REALLY looking forward to this one!!!!
I would have loved to see Kimi against Seb BUT my loyalty to my country meant only Dan could take that spot!!
The Hulk must now take Kimi’s spot at Lotus I hope! Not sure where that leaves Massa though. I have a heap of respect for Phillipe and to be honest would prefer to see him go elsewhere (like Webber) rather than drive around at a lesser team like Heike did- maybe to Sauber to replace the Hulk, but they need to put a faster package on the track than this year.
As for Ferrari “back-tracking” on Kimi I disagree with that. There may be history there but it was a long time ago and the team (any team) needs to look at their best options each year.
Has anyone thought Kimi HAS changed his difficult ways (at least a bit) and will be a better fit now compared to back then?? I think he has. Time will tell- but this is good news for F1 fans :)
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
11th September 2013, 13:35
It’s ‘Felipe’.
Garns (@)
11th September 2013, 13:46
So its is Opti – apologies for my incorrect spelling on Massa’s name. I was writing the French version instead of Brazillian version- my mistake!
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:10
@garns French down under? Just curious.
Garns (@)
13th September 2013, 13:52
@kimrogue
Yeh not too many mate, a bit embarresed I got that wrong…. twice :)
To make it worse my at time fav- Ayrton- is of course a Brazillian LOL
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:29
I’m not sure Alonso oozes so much talent and confidence as he oozes self-righteousness and narcissism.
Matts_F1 (@ayrtons6094)
11th September 2013, 13:32
Happy :)
HUHHII (@huhhii)
11th September 2013, 13:34
Oh no. What a let down. Ferrari does not deserve to have a driver as magnificient as Kimi. Of course I’ll continue to support Kimi even if he’s driving for Ferrari (as I did in 2007-09 seasons), but when it comes to constructor’s championship I’m all for Lotus (and to some extent, McLaren).
I hope Ferrari will give equal treatment to their drivers. But knowing Ferrari, I highly, highly doubt that’s gonna happen.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 14:09
@huhhii Kimi would not have gone back if it were not on equal terms, he wants another title, where do you seriously think he has the best chance of getting that title – Lotus or Ferrari?
HUHHII (@huhhii)
11th September 2013, 14:31
@zippyone I guess you’re right. What I wrote above was emotional perspective, but when thinking with common sense I guess you’re right. Probably equal terms are being promised to him in his contract.
Lotus has seemed to be like a sinking ship with their constant financial problems, plus James Allison already made a move from Lotus to Ferrari. I believe that affected Kimi’s team decision quite a lot.
Monosodico (@monosodico)
11th September 2013, 14:34
and what do you think is going to happen if Kimi wins it and the “leader” Alonso don’t?
what is it going to happen when he hear in his radio “Fernando Kimi is faster than you” will he move aside?
Will Kimi move? Will Kimi play the “slingshot” for Alonso?
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 14:13
@huhhii
You probably know them better than Raikkonen
HUHHII (@huhhii)
11th September 2013, 14:32
@tifoso1989 I never said that. That’s just the impression I have from Ferrari after following the sport nearly 15 years.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 15:00
@huhhii
If you have taken my comment as disrespect for your F1 knowledge then i apologize to you, I know that n° driver policy at Ferrari & team orders were part from Ferrari’s history since the late 50’s i read once that they used them with Mike Hawthorn in 1958
My point was that if Kimi who has been always very demanding would never agree to return to Ferrari if he doesn’t have all the necessary guaranties of an equal treatment with Fernando (engineers, equipment …..), he has already brought his race engineer with him
HUHHII (@huhhii)
11th September 2013, 15:15
@tifoso1989 I didn’t find your comment to be disrespectful in any way. No hard feelings :-)
As I said above my first comment was more like emotional (never been Ferrari-fan as you probably know by now, and the news totally shocked me). Thinking with common sense Ferrari will probably let them race, otherwise Kimi wouldn’t have signed that contract with Ferrari.
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:17
@tifoso1989 I didn’t come across that piece of news. Any links on Mark Slade’s move? Thanks
Cornflakes (@cornflakes)
11th September 2013, 13:37
I hope that now Massa knows his future at Ferrari that he can get at least another podium or, even better, another win. Without the constant pressure and doubts over his abilities he might have a long-awaited upturn in form. I think it’s something everyone would like to see and would be a fitting way to end his Ferrari career.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 14:10
Yes I would love to see this happen. I hope he gets a decent drive next year.
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:14
Indeed. If it happened at Interlagos it would be great, Vettel should have won by then so no pulling over required.
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
11th September 2013, 13:40
It would be ironic if having such as strong driver lineup helped Ferrari win the constructor’s title but not the driver’s title. I can see that as a possibility, it just sounds counter-intuitive ;)
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:34
Not really.. Consider this: Alonso, Kimi, Vettel and Hamilton are essentially the top 4. Not necessarily in that order. People will disagree about the order all the time…
However if you have a single driver who wins the majority of the races while his team mate lingers back in 5th or 6th, you’re not going to have a constructor’s title (RBR)
But if you have two top drivers who will constantly battle for 2-4th (FER), while that other driver for that other team winning (RBR), you’re not going to win the driver’s championship.
It’s not ironic, it’s rather logical.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 13:43
It was unbelievable to think when the “silly season” has started that Kimi will drive for Ferrari, not a chance not in a million year especially when it was almost certain that Raikkonen will move to Red Bull but like the great Murray Walker says “In F1 anything can happen and it usually does” !!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know if we will still call it “Silly Season”
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:08
@tifoso1989The scuderia has a very “dnamic” line up . The next part is the car .
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:09
@tifoso1989
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 14:17
@hamilfan
Nothing is certain but there are good signs with James Allison & Rory Byrne in charge of the car, the only mystery is the whole Ferrari engine package, if they get it right then !!!!!!!
Cornflakes (@cornflakes)
11th September 2013, 13:44
Whoever runs Lotus’ Twitter has an interesting and brave sense of humour. From a personal account it might be funny but from the official account isn’t it a bit unprofessional?
GeeMac (@geemac)
11th September 2013, 13:47
He didn’t screw them as they imply with that tweet (which I found really funny by the way, thanks for sharing it), they have no one to blame but themselves. It’s a sport and a business and Raikkonen has been lured away by a team that can offer him better sporting possibilities and a better business package. End of.
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:56
Honestly, I hope that guy is the next one to leave Lotus and finds a home in the US. It seems something Indycar or NASCAR teams would relish in (not in a negative sense, either), but for F1 it’s just a tad.. childish?
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:56
No, not childish at all. I mean to say inappropriate.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 14:07
@cornflakes
This just shows how low is the Level of Eric Boullier, since Kimi’s come back he never stopped clashing Ferrari even Kimi himself said that he has nothing against his former team but Boullier was insisting that Kimi is now free he is not doing what he hates, we don’t have politics we have equal treatment blablabla……
I just want to see him now with the look of a “moaning child” on his face
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
11th September 2013, 14:22
I think it’s definitely inappropriate, a bit petulant and is a bit desperate.
He had a 2 year contract, he has left at the end of that, how are they being screwed? It’s their own fault.
DC (@dc)
11th September 2013, 15:56
I don’t get it. Does it mean he screwed them over? Or something about leaving quickly?
puneeth Bharath (@puneethvb)
11th September 2013, 19:34
That was a rather tasteless tweet to say the least..
GeeMac (@geemac)
11th September 2013, 13:45
Let battle commence!
Mclaren (@ahmej010gmail-com)
11th September 2013, 13:54
Excelllent news, i respect Alonso massively as a driver but he’s had it easy since Hamilton beat him in 07. Its going to be crazy these two fighting it out in the same team, wow wow! As brundle said, if Kimi is ordered “Kimi, Fernando is faster than you”, kimi’s response would be “If he is faster than me, why is he behind me”. Massively exciting news!
DC (@dc)
11th September 2013, 15:59
Didn’t Alonso and Hamilton both finish with the same amount of points?
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:25
@dc you are right, technically. But one should not forget that this was a double world champ being matched by a rookie no less.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
11th September 2013, 16:43
He did indeed “beat” him; using the FIA sactiuoned method of countbacks (2nd places) in these kind of situations. If they were both fighting for the championship under the same conditions, the title would have been given to Lewis.
SK (@terminator)
11th September 2013, 13:54
As a Mclaren fan, this news depresses me even more. Ferrari have Alonso and Raikonen, we have… Button and Perez :(
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
11th September 2013, 14:02
Hadn’t even thought of that, it does look a very weak pairing!
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 14:08
Alonso & Raikkonen both left (or were sacked) Mclaren !!!!!!!!!!!!
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:11
@terminator Look at the plus .. you have Martin Whitmarsh …the king of kings :-P
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:26
+1 :)
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
11th September 2013, 14:21
Yeah i tend to agree, McLaren were pretty bold about claiming they had ‘the best driver pairing’ with Button/Hamilton but have gone understandably quiet on that front since Perez came in…. They have good drivers, just none of the top 4 – they will need to have a reasonable car advantage if they are going to win championships with these two i feel.
Don’t mean to sound harsh on Perez, but he wouldn’t have been in my top 3-4 drivers for that seat from the available ‘young’ drivers at the time in terms of ability. I would guess sponsorship had a sizeable influence on the decision.
The Blade Runner (@)
11th September 2013, 14:32
I agree. I think the problem is that Perez is bringing in Carlos Slim money which secures his place. Telmex may even be the team sponsor next year. Button makes sense as an “unofficial no. 2” driver but not as the main man.
Like you, I’m more than a little envious of the Tifosi today!
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
11th September 2013, 14:56
no disrespect, but I chuckled on this. what do make worry on McLaren is lacked of technical creativity. since Paddy Lowe left, I only recognize Whitmarsh and Sam Michael on their garage…
Fixy (@)
11th September 2013, 13:56
On this regard, I think Ferrari would’ve wanted a Raikkonen-Alonso partnership already in 2010, but sacking Massa after his crash would have been cruel, also considering he beat Kimi in 2008 and they were both pretty equal in 2009. That was a tougher decision than it was today, where one driver is clearly the slowest of the two.
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 14:13
I don’t think so @fixy.
Remember, in 2007 Massa was only a couple of points behind. And in 2008 he clearly had Kimi beaten, as he had been doing until his accident in 2009. I think Ferrari felt a bit let down by Kimi at that point.
Fixy (@)
11th September 2013, 15:03
@bascb Good point, but they kept Massa for three seasons after 2010. And the 2009 Kimi was miles better than the 2010 Massa. Kimi won a race, scored several podiums and showed he was good, I’d say at the end of 2009 Ferrari got rid of Kimi not because of his performances but because the other option would have been deemed unfair. Either way they had little to lose (they thought) because Kimi and Felipe were closely matched. With Alonso, they were almost certain to win a title with a good car, but then Felipe proved slower than expected. In 2010, Alonso-Raikkonen or Alonso-Massa for Ferrari would have been pretty much the same, but perhaps they saw Felipe as a better prospect for the future and, definitely, as more likely to help Alonso. Also, Felipe was initially signed by Ferrari in 2001, so they had a long relationship whilst the “cold” Kimi would’ve left without too much fuss.
GeorgeTuk (@georgetuk)
11th September 2013, 14:00
Don’t think there will much in the way of fireworks or personality clashes, Alonso is a lot older and more mature now and the same for Raikkonen I would say, Ferrari have also seen how you can manage Raikkonen in a different way for better results.
But it’s certainly an interesting choice, that car needs to be very very good otherwise the abuse will come from both sides of the garage!
MazdaChris (@mazdachris)
11th September 2013, 14:01
Brilliant news. With a driver line up this strong, Ferrari has a great chance of securing second place in the constructors’ championship next year…
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 14:07
:-)
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:29
lol!
Patrick (@paeschli)
11th September 2013, 17:12
Brilliant comment too ;)
Eggry (@eggry)
11th September 2013, 14:03
This should be interesting. I believe Alonso would have upper hands against Kimi even it would be very close. Also I think this is a great chance to confirm how post-2009 Massa is different from pre-2009
Sir Teukka (@merioksa)
11th September 2013, 14:14
Exactly what I was thinking. Many people say something like “Raikkonen couldn’t even beat massa and Alonso beats him all the time”. What they don’t realize is, Massa basically won the championship in 2008. He was just as legitimate contender as Hamilton, Alonso and Raikkonen back then.
But then the injury occurred and after he returned, he was nowhere near what he used to be.
And I also believe Raikkonen is a better driver now, compared to 2009. I think spending some time in rallying (where mistakes are much more costly than in F1) really helped him become a more complete driver.
MazdaChris (@mazdachris)
11th September 2013, 14:25
I see this said lots of times, that Massa’s accident affected him and he wasn’t able to get good results since. But I don’t believe this is actually the case. In the first few races back, he scored multiple podiums and put in plenty of very decent drives, moving consistently up the order from his starting position. As the year went on his results started to slip, and he fell into a slump from which he hasn’t really recovered. The point being that you can’t blame the accident for his poor form, even if I think most would agree he’s no longer the driver he used to be.
My take on it is more that Alonso has managed to systematically marginalise Massa inside the team through his relentless pace and methodical approach. The accident didn’t destroy Massa – Alonso did.
Sir Teukka (@merioksa)
11th September 2013, 14:39
Yes, the accident might not have been the whole reason for Massa’s bad results, but my point was that you can’t really compare Alonso and Raikkonen based on their results against Massa. I often see people do that.
Don’t know if you understand what I mean (my English isn’t the best).
puneeth Bharath (@puneethvb)
11th September 2013, 19:41
well … now we have an opportunity to compare them next year.. let’s wait and see who comes on top… cant wait for 2014
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 14:06
I doubt Alonso and Kimi will be doing the travelling together on many occasions.
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:39
But Alonso says they are travelling companions… :D
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:15
You have to admit, Eddie Jordan really has been on fire these last few years!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23761323
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
11th September 2013, 14:21
@john-h
First of all “chapeau to him” but now he has an annoying record of revealing these kind of stories
Watch out he will be booed in the next GP !!!!!!!
Jason (@jason12)
11th September 2013, 15:58
Yea we have to give it up to him, he sees right through the BS
Eggry (@eggry)
11th September 2013, 17:44
@john-h and you know what he said today? if Alonso is not satisfied next season, he would go back to Mclaren!
Swindle94 (@swindle94)
11th September 2013, 14:16
The ultimate case of Ferrari saying “yeah… Sorry kimi. We screwed up a few years ago.”
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
11th September 2013, 19:31
I don’t think it’s like that. Times change and drivers change. Kimi is a completely different driver compared to what he was 5 years ago.
Jan (@yancheelaa)
11th September 2013, 14:18
YES YES YES YES… happy for KIMI
Rigi (@rigi)
11th September 2013, 14:20
good for ferrari and kimi! he will undoubtedly fight for a lot of race wins next year!
what about lotus’ driver line-up? grosjean & hulkenberg? or will they give valsecchi a chance?
Lee
11th September 2013, 14:41
Can`t see Kimi or Alonso moving aside to let the other through so should be very interesting… I just hope for once, Ferrari will listen to race fans and actually let these 2 race each other
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
11th September 2013, 15:02
I’ll be supporting the driver, not the team. Absolutely hate this news. Only upside is Hulk could end up at Lotus…
Yoshisune (@yobo01)
11th September 2013, 15:04
Wow, for the first time in years we will see the two Ferrari drivers actually racing each other. I’m looking forward to that.
celeste (@celeste)
11th September 2013, 15:48
Wow the reaction from Lotus
https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status/377765191053606912
Jason (@jason12)
11th September 2013, 15:53
Ooh can it be 2014 already!
Let’s just give current WDC title to Vettel this weekend and start 2014 early… :D
It’ll save us the boring next couple of races.
Jon Sandor (@jonsan)
11th September 2013, 16:12
I see people saying Ferrari are a lock to take the WCC next year, but it all depends on the car. If you take Alonso’s and Kimi’s points from 2013 so far and add them together, it totals 303 points. That’s more than they have with Massa, which is 248 points. But Red Bull have 352 points.
Kimi will provide an upgrade compared to Massa but the difference won’t be colossal. Of course it remains to be seen whether Ricciardo will equal Webber.
obviously
11th September 2013, 18:27
That’s true, but maybe it would have been different if Kimi was driving the Ferrari car and not Lotus.
That said, combining their points from the last year, Fernando and Kimi would win WCC for Ferrari with comfortable 25 points advantage over Vettel-Webber combo.
Robbie (@robbie)
11th September 2013, 22:57
As you said @jonsan it all depends on the car, and it will have nothing to do with this year’s or last year’s points. I think the ‘upgrade’ compared to FM could well be colossal. There’s no reason to think otherwise, as this is now a new dynamic, a new look team, in a new look format for F1. Hopefully both drivers will push each other to new unseen levels. Let’s start by seeing how well all the drivers like their new cars and who has it within their car’s ability to tweek it to their liking if at all possible, and run with it, or flounder with problems needing deeper attention, dealing with the newness of the technical regs.
From the vantage point we have right now, based just on driver pairings, and the likely best engine/chassis marriages, there’s no reason to exclude the ‘lock’ on the WCC from RBR and Mercedes and just hand it solely to Ferrari.
jms18222
11th September 2013, 16:14
I will honestly say my heart is breaking for Lotus but for me Kimi will always come first. Where he goes I follow. My concern is how well the prancing horse can manage 2 of the best stallions in the field.
Now I can gloat that I predicted Kimi to Ferrari the 1st week in April.
electrolite (@electrolite)
11th September 2013, 16:47
Hells bells. This has the makings of a classic partnership, and if the Ferrari is good, a classic season.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
11th September 2013, 17:29
Now, Kimi has a contract with Ferrari until 2015. Vettel and Hamilton have contracts until 2015 as well. I am assuming Kimi won’t stay any longer than that, and in that case Ferrari will have the chance to choose between one of the 2007 debutant greats that are Seb and Lewis, after one of the 2001 debutant greats gets off, and a year after Alonso’s contract runs off, they could have the other one as well – would be fun to see them as teammates from 2017, and one of them alongside Fernando in 2016.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
11th September 2013, 17:37
Well, there go Ferrari’s chances.
They are a team that thrive on stability. And now, on the eve of some of the most dramatic and comprehensive changes to the technical regulations, they have taken a driver on a short-term contract, a driver who threatens the established order within the team. It is a decision that makes no sense to me, and one that I suspect history will remember as one of the worst a team has made.
Ferrari should have taken Hulkenberg.
Robbie (@robbie)
11th September 2013, 21:05
You may be right, but I just wonder if Ferrari themselves would define their state in recent years as ‘thriving.’ Personally I’m all for an upsetting of the established order if it means we get to see two gladiators on a top team.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
11th September 2013, 21:43
@robbie – Ferrari’s problem isn’t that their drivers needed replacing. Massa has been under-performing for a while now, but the real issue is their car development. They haven’t been able to keep up with everyone else as the season goes on. Replacing Massa isn’t going to fix that, because Alonso already has that rare ability to drive a car beyond its limits (a skill I have reason to believe Raikkonen lacks, given his performances over the last two years), and even he can’t get anywhere with it.
Eric (@)
11th September 2013, 22:06
He doesn’t. But I agree with the rest though. Replacing Massa, while understandable, is not going to solve the problem. The car is and always will be the determining factor in F1. Alonso (or Raikkonen) isn’t going to become World Champion in a car that’s only 2nd fastest at best.
Robbie (@robbie)
12th September 2013, 15:21
And the point is at this point we cannot say that next year’s Ferrari is only 2nd fastest at best. As far as I know they won’t be driving this year’s car next year. The car may be the determining factor always, but you guys are making it sound like the driver pairing, and the combined drivers input has nothing to do with it, almost like it totally doesn’t matter who is behind the wheel or under what circumstances.
I think the driver matters a great deal always (or else F1 is on the wrong path), and especially if it is one who is NOT in a designated role to play subservient, the motivation level can be entirely different than for FM whose efforts, he would always be aware of, would only go to help FA at Ferrari not himself. KR will be highly motivated to not be seen as replacing FM and his role at Ferrari, and FA should be highly motivated now that he cannot expect his teammate to R&D for him. I’d like to think they will still both work together, but with both drivers having true equal status it should all have a totally different flavour on the team and I think it should only be healthy for them, and certainly much better for us the paying audience.
Robbie (@robbie)
11th September 2013, 22:30
@prisoner-monkeys I entertain the notion that a driver change, with hopefully not an underperfoming KR but an invigorated one, will help push everything and everyone to new levels below which perhaps they have stagnated for too long. Let’s see if next year’s car needs driving beyond it’s limits, or just who does how well with each others ‘most dramatic and comprehensive changes to the technical regulations.’ Such are the changes that it is, I’m sure, Ferrari’s hope and expectation that it will be out with the old and in with the new starting next Jan/Feb. For now it’s simply way too early to know. They have to nail the car or it just might be more of the same for them, but I hope for more than that from a new look F1 and Ferrari.
Calum (@calum)
11th September 2013, 17:39
Only needs 3 words: Bring it on!!!
Tayyib (@m0nzaman)
11th September 2013, 17:40
Cant wait for 2014 Alonso and Kimi in the same team its a dream. I’m gonna have to change my avatar. Forza Ferrari
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:43
“…travelling companion…” ? Awesome!
I can’t wait until the post qualifying or post race interviews where Alonso is asked why he is behind Kimi: “Well, my car was a little tricky today but my travelling companion…he had a good car today.”
crazy.mechanic (@akshay)
11th September 2013, 18:07
Maybe we will see Massa in Sauber. I believe Hulk should be roped in by Lotus.
Michael Brown (@)
11th September 2013, 18:34
Alonso and Räikkönen can really push this team forward.
Nathan (@il-ferrarista)
11th September 2013, 18:49
Happy news. Congratulations to Raikkonen, and a very big thank you for your loyal support to Massa (even though it was high time to finish his career at Ferrari)
medman (@medman)
11th September 2013, 20:10
My only question is how soon into next season will Fernando or Kimi try to run each other off the track?
-billadama- (@billadama-2)
11th September 2013, 21:04
I thing by the Barcelona GP
rudi (@rudi)
11th September 2013, 20:49
Ferrari´s budget for its drivers 2014 would save the life of Lotus! What a cruel world.
Yes I would like to see Hulk and Gro chasing Vet, Alo, Rai, Ham and Ros, but first Lotus has got to do its homework done.
-billadama- (@billadama-2)
11th September 2013, 21:03
A real stupid thing to do from ferrari, of course they have the most interesting line up for 2014 but to have tow great pilots in the same team in particular ferrari (we all now they have team orders) will a total disaster for them, by the Barcelona GP they will fight I’m secure.
Mike Gibbins (@torort)
12th September 2013, 5:21
I can see it now..
“Kimi, Fernando .. is faster .. than you”
Kimi – “Leave me alone, I know what I am doing!!”
Can’t wait for it!
Johnchad (@johnchad)
12th September 2013, 7:06
Hooray!! Rai & Alo both together in my favorite team. Keep it cool you guys… All the best for next season.
Mark Thomson (@melthom)
17th September 2013, 19:28
It’s odd, but when they make official statements, their English is so much better than when they talk spontaneously..lol