Kimi to WRC via fiat?

http://www.ft.com/cm...144feabdc0.html

if the above news is true then kimi has a perfect choice to move to wrc with fiat paving a way for alonso to ferrari

Edited by redhorse, 17 August 2009 - 03:43.

http://www.ft.com/cm...144feabdc0.html

if the above news is true then kimi has a perfect choice to move to wrc with fiat paving a way for alonso to ferrari

This news is not new. Fiat has been thought of that they will enter WRC some time. But nothing suggests it would be imminent. May be 2011, or 2014? Who knows!?

And you have added the name of Kimi in the title for the heck of it, though there was no mention of him in the article. Sure, how stupid would Fiat be to decide on any plans based on a guy who has taken part in two local rallies and only WRC rally! At this point, one can only say Kimi showed lot of potential, but this is not enough for a big corporation to enter a sport.

Edited by SpaMaster, 17 August 2009 - 03:49.

If Kimi really wants enter WRC, he can pick and choose which car he wants to drive he doesn't have wait for Fiat to enter the WRC.

If Kimi really wants enter WRC, he can pick and choose which car he wants to drive he doesn't have wait for Fiat to enter the WRC.

Yes because there are lots of top line seast available currently?

If Petter Solberg, Francois Duval, and many other drivers cannot even get a manufacturer seat, then Kimi is a long way behind in the queue!

Yes he could go buy one himself and run it, much like Petter is doing this year, but he certainly wouldnt simply walk in to Citroen in a C4 for example...

that will be Kimi and V.Rossi driving for FIAT

that will be Kimi and V.Rossi driving for FIAT

If Räikkönen is squeezed out of F1 why the hell do you think he would make himself available to FIAT in WRC? Really does not make much sense.

If Räikkönen is squeezed out of F1 why the hell do you think he would make himself available to FIAT in WRC? Really does not make much sense.

Because that would make him probably the highest paid rally driver in the world:
- gets what (?)... 25 million to go rallying (and give his his F1 seat)
- gets (if to believe the article) a complete rally car fielded by FIAT
- gets to do what he wants after F1

Hasn't Malcom Wilson said he'd give Kimi a test? A drive for a Stobart Ford could be ideal.

Because that would make him probably the highest paid rally driver in the world:
- gets what (?)... 25 million to go rallying (and give his his F1 seat)
- gets (if to believe the article) a complete rally car fielded by FIAT
- gets to do what he wants after F1

And gets to take a gargantuan piss on his dignity.....

- gets (if to believe the article) a complete rally car fielded by FIAT

Is that a reason for actually NOT switching to WRC? I am not aware of FIAT being a powerhouse in Rally these days. What is Loeb and the other top dogs driving, not FIAT I guess...

Guys ... read the article?

it's a stub about FIAT *maybe* doing WRC, from that there's 10 degrees of speculation to Raikkonen actually driving the thing.

And no since FIAT isn't doing WRC yet, no Loeb doesn't drive a Fiat how could he :S

Besides, if he's squeezed out of F1 he'll get compensated, it's not like he'll say ok guys forget about the compensation just lemme race a Fiat car in rallies

Because that would make him probably the highest paid rally driver in the world:
- gets what (?)... 25 million to go rallying (and give his his F1 seat)
- gets (if to believe the article) a complete rally car fielded by FIAT
- gets to do what he wants after F1

Why would Fiat pay Kimi his rally hobby? Kimi drove Fiat only because his contract prevents him from practising motorsport with other car makes.

How about: "Kimi will drive Ferrari F1 car next year"?

Is that too dull for a fact or why do you guys come up with these endless speculations how to get rid of Kimi?

BTW Alonso isn´t actually an upgrade for Ferraris current line-up, so why would they bother?

Edited by yr, 17 August 2009 - 17:47.

BTW Alonso isn´t actually an upgrade for Ferraris current line-up, so why would they bother?

While I agree the current line up is the most likely to stay at Ferrari... your sentence above is a stretch...

Alonso is considerably better than Massa, even a blind man could see that!

Is that a reason for actually NOT switching to WRC? I am not aware of FIAT being a powerhouse in Rally these days. What is Loeb and the other top dogs driving, not FIAT I guess...

Fiat are a powerhouse in the championship they are competing in, though (even if they are having a shaky season this year). There's no reason to believe they wouldn't be any competitive at the top level with a proper operation.

Edited by paranoik0, 17 August 2009 - 20:46.

Would take a lot of money for me to hand in my F1 car for a Punto with mudflaps.

While I agree the current line up is the most likely to stay at Ferrari... your sentence above is a stretch...

Alonso is considerably better than Massa, even a blind man could see that!

That is very open to debate, Felipe hasn't made any mistakes so far this season and he has done a few very impressive drives so far this year, even Kimi has had a few very impressive drives this year, but Alonso hasn't done a really impressive race so far this season. He might still of course, and he properly will, but so far this season Felipe and Kimi are performing better then him.

That is very open to debate, Felipe hasn't made any mistakes so far this season and he has done a few very impressive drives so far this year, even Kimi has had a few very impressive drives this year, but Alonso hasn't done a really impressive race so far this season. He might still of course, and he properly will, but so far this season Felipe and Kimi are performing better then him.

A few races does not a champion make!

Lets face it... neither the Ferrari or the Renault have been very good... BUT if Alonso had been in the Ferrari and Massa in the Renault... I would wager Massa and Piquet would have been pretty close and Alonso would have been quicker than Kimi... there is no doubt the Renault has been worse than the Ferrari until just the last couple of races..

I dont particulalrly like the way Alonso has conducted himself, so I'm by no means a fan, but I do respect his abilities as a race driver and I think he has proven to have less weaknesses in his driving game, than Massa has. Massa is getting better, of that there is no doubt... but is just not quite as good as Alonso IMHO...

Looks to me that there are some nervous people in this forum,

The same ones who attacked anyone who stated that Ferrari was making room for Alonso in 2010.

There were a few people here, including myself who put their neck out and stated that Ferrari/Fiat was making room for Alonso in 2010 and Kimi would be repositioned in a WRC effort.

All the activities of Kimi and the support from Fiat for his off track activities outside of F1 seems to support this.

For the official word we will have to wait... Ferrari knows a change is required.

There goes the credibilty of the source.

http://www.northonet...team/index.html
He is CEO of the company which owns World Rally and I doubt that a newspaper with the global standing of the Financial Times would misquote him.
However, he doesn't mention Kimi...

Looks to me that there are some nervous people in this forum,

The same ones who attacked anyone who stated that Ferrari was making room for Alonso in 2010.

There were a few people here, including myself who put their neck out and stated that Ferrari/Fiat was making room for Alonso in 2010 and Kimi would be repositioned in a WRC effort.

All the activities of Kimi and the support from Fiat for his off track activities outside of F1 seems to support this.

For the official word we will have to wait... Ferrari knows a change is required.

So Fiat enters WRC with a formula driver (instead of proven rally drivers) only because (you wish) Ferrari is getting rid of him?

Sorry but

Edited by micra_k10, 19 August 2009 - 04:40.

http://www.northonet...team/index.html
He is CEO of the company which owns World Rally and I doubt that a newspaper with the global standing of the Financial Times would misquote him.
However, he doesn't mention Kimi...

Here is info on Neil Duncanson....

NEIL DUNCANSON -CEO
Neil Duncanson, CEO, has built North One Television into one of Britain’s most creative and successful independent production companies. Neil joined Chrysalis as a freelance producer in 1990 to head a sports division of just 3 staff. Two years later Chrysalis Sport was set up as a separate division. In 1997, under Neil’s leadership Chrysalis Television was established, which now boasts entertainment, comedy, factual, music and commercial programming, as well as sport, with offices in London and Birmingham. As well as heading up this whole operation, Neil maintains a ‘hands on’ approach and is heavily involved in all aspects of the production process.
Before joining Chrysalis, Neil learnt his trade with Thames News, where he even made occasional on-screen appearances as reporter; then LWT and the National Film School. He started life as a trainee news journalist in East London, before a career in Fleet Street and moving into TV.

So as you can see, with this vast knowledge and experience in rallying, he see's fit to tell Autosport that World Rallying only needs 4 manufacturers........ IDIOT....

God help rallying from the likes of Neil Duncanson..... he should concentrate more expanding TV coverage than giving his truly inexperienced views of the WRC. Coverage of world and british championship rallying began to decline when the BBC stopped covering either championship. Channel 4 basically killed the coverage with their programmes, both in style and content. Then it was bumped to some late night slots, then what is there now...? Dave TV??

Eurosport however has increasing numbers of viewers for the IRC and great coverage...

The WRC went down a slippery slope with ISC and the FIA cabinet of Mad Max and that fool Chandler....

Fixing the issues of the WRC really is not that difficult.... but as long as certain people in their psitions of power, think they know best, the WRC is set to continue to its most unpopular levels in recent times and ultimate doom.

I hope Ford and Citroen have the balls to tell the WRC to stick it, and join the other manufacturers in the IRC, maybe then we will get some change and redefine the order of the WRC...

I pray Ari and Jean have a reconstruction plan for the WRC when they take office and that this will involve the cancellation of the contract with NorthOne Television and the ISC.

Looks to me that there are some nervous people in this forum,

The same ones who attacked anyone who stated that Ferrari was making room for Alonso in 2010.

There were a few people here, including myself who put their neck out and stated that Ferrari/Fiat was making room for Alonso in 2010 and Kimi would be repositioned in a WRC effort.

All the activities of Kimi and the support from Fiat for his off track activities outside of F1 seems to support this.

For the official word we will have to wait... Ferrari knows a change is required.

Could you exclusively reveal how things are going to pan out exactly? When will Kimi be announced as a WRC driver for FIAT and Alonso as a Ferrari driver? Please be specific with dates as much as you can, so that I can book my calendar. Right now you are regurgitating rumors, nothing more.
As for Kimi's off track activities, I remember him taking part in a snowmobile race in 2007. I am going to stick my head out and predict that Kimi is going to the snowmobile series instead with the full backing of FIAT/Ferrari of course because they supported him.

WRC with FIAT?!? This has to be one of the sickest and most disgusting suggestions I've ever read about my boy. Kimi, sweetie, how about some self-respect? I hear it's good for you.

WRC with FIAT?!? This has to be one of the sickest and most disgusting suggestions I've ever read about my boy. Kimi, sweetie, how about some self-respect? I hear it's good for you.

That's what I don't get, why the f*** would Räikkönen prostitute himself to the FIAT PR machine after he was kicked to the curb, its not like he needs the money. In his position I'd rather cut all ties with the brand on the double.

So as you can see, with this vast knowledge and experience in rallying, he see's fit to tell Autosport that World Rallying only needs 4 manufacturers........ IDIOT....

You're right. He is the boss of WRC's owner so he is a credible source for the Financial Times and then Autosport but that doesn't mean to say that his plan is a good 'un. For example, what happens if Citroen and Ford do a u-turn and pull out too? He has no reserves in place. Maybe he wouldn't care if there were no manufacturers in the sport - 4 is his maximum after all.

That's what I don't get, why the f*** would Räikkönen prostitute himself to the FIAT PR machine after he was kicked to the curb, its not like he needs the money. In his position I'd rather cut all ties with the brand on the double.

Excellent point. And, truth be told, I'd love to see Kimi doing rally in a proper Rally car...wonder when they could arrange that test drive...mmm...