If Philip Morris are paying around $200m, Kimi will stay whether anyone at Ferrari likes it or not.

Because Marlboro isn't the only sponsor? Because Nokia have been in F1 before? How many reasons do you actually need? It may or may not happen, but it's not an illogical situation.

What has Philip Morris got to do with Kimi staying or leaving?!

They were there far before Kimi even joined F1.

eh eh. it would be like Securitas taking Piquet, or sometging.

They have a penchant for nordic racers...
They put Johanson in a Mclaren and then in a Ferrari.
And I could swear they have already put Kimi there, but that's me speculating...

"The clarity on our phones is so good, you can even hear Kimi speak."

Nokia was Tyrrell's title sponsor in 1995 and they probably remember that it was not a very good idea...

I read the title as Kimi to Renault via Vodka .

Nokia's Reasonably Big Cheeses were negotiating a big(gish) sponsorship deal with Ferrari back in 1998/1999(ish). Things ended awkwardly when it turned out the Really Big Cheese(s) hadn't said yes to the plan and the company's marketing/sponsorship folks had basically overstepped their boundaries. Burnt fingers aplenty. They haven't aspired to have another go since.

This latest 'rumour' is one more round of BS. Nokia have already denied it.

more like "kimi to Vodka via Renault"

As od Sept 21st - what Renault?

Nokia is making a great attempt to go greener. It's not only talk, as they've been #1 consumer electronics company in the Greenpeace rankings on several occasions. The previous bigger sports sponsorship Nokia was involved in was with snowboarding, which they stopped. The current Nokia brand couldn't really be further from either Kimi or Formula 1.

Whoever dragged this story from his arse probably just recently figured out that Kimi is Finnish and then proceeded to google for the biggest Finnish company.

Non story.

http://img210.imageshack.us/i/1091143490f063071b98a0b.jpg/

Spain flag?, Alonso?

Gene

Perhaps Text is his medium?

Or he's just having to use Gene's stuff for the moment.

Cannot remember Marlboro putting Johansson into Ferrari, that was the Arnoux affair. And he was at Ferrari first, then at McLaren.

Well yes he first joined Ferrari, he was backed by Marlboro and went there to replace Arnoux. Keke was also personally sponsored by Marlboro and he replaced Johansson at Mclaren. You get the drift...

I am not convinced. Back then Marlboro backed almost half of the grid.

I believe there are exactly two teams that Kimi would drive in the future:

1. Ferrari
2. McLaren

The others are too random shots and I don't believe Kimi has the energy or will to jump into unknown with no guarantee of success.

If Alonso gets the Ferrari 2010 seat he will be so damn lucky again with his teammate. It will either be known lapdog Fisichella or far from fully fit cyclops Massa.
I wish he could have been teamed with Kimi or pre accident Massa. Of course Massa could still be fast but there will always be the doubt about what if he wouldnt have had the accident.

Now that is a really interesting aspect.

That is a very nasty comment to make.

Half the grid was sponsored by Marlboro, as you say (someone had to pay for all Andrea's crashed cars ), but only Johansson got the seat.
I'm only speculating, but I've always suspected that Michael was "ousted" because Philip Morris wanted Kimi in one of their reds... and Michael didn't...
And who would you say seems to fit their values and lifestyle best?
I'm of the opinion that Fernando has got a foot in Ferrari, but this is hardcore business and, with Kimi's upturn in fortune, you never know...

Rosberg did not replace Johansson at McLaren, it was the other way around. And actually Rosberg went to McLaren partly because he knew Dennis well personally.

Ok, you got me there, but that's not relevant to the argument... C'mon, you're not implying Philip Morris had no saying in who would drive for Mclaren?
I can tell you that Brundle had almost signed for Mclaren before they went with Johansson. You'll correct if I'm wrong...

Usually it was Ron Dennis who decided who would drive for McLaren. Not Philip Morris.

Usually - that's well put.

Yeah, usually Dennis decided, apart from the case Johansson who was put into Ferrari & McLaren by Philip Morris. Because you say so.

Well put again!
C'mon it's a load of money...
But if you don't trust me, you can read this attentively.

You know about the amount?

Wow, I am speaking with a F1 insider.

Mansell ≠ Johansson

The amount? Well in both Mclaren and Ferraris case their cars were virtually converted into packs of cigarettes for your subliminal pleasure. It's huge i tells you...
I am no insider, now i'm merely trying to assert that Philip Morris is one of those sponsors that can choose or veto any driver they want, if they will.

Proof (if any was needed) that the F1 silly season has always been ... silly

Schumacher to McLaren cause Mercedes wants him cause he's German (Rosberg/Heidfeld)
Mika is out of a job and better start looking for one

etc etc

You don't know shit. You don't even know that the 85/86 Ferraris were NOT converted into packs of cigarettes.


That's not what you said above; above you claimed that Johansson got his Ferrari and McLaren drives because Philip Morris likes Scandinavian drivers.

I said they have a penchant for scandinavian drivers. I maintain that. Why wouldn't they?
Yes i know the 85/86 were not yet full packs. Quarter full packs if you want.

Johansson driving one of those 'packs of cigarettes'...

Why would they?


So you were lying deliberately before?

1 - because they usually have a cooler look that blends well with the brand. Many are blonde, which helps (I know, this must be a joke). That, per se, doesn't necessarily convert into a butt fitting in Maranello (I should mention this).
2 - I wasn't lying, I thought the main argument revolved around Kimi. I thought about mentioning it, because I kind of expect someone would go anal about these matters, and rightfully so.

Where did you see me talk about Raikkonen? And disagreeing with the bullshit you post is called 'going anal' now?

No, you were only anal about the quarter full pack, and rightfully so because you don't wanna be cheated. You must be a smoker!

Since when does a 2010 Silly Season thread go so off topic that Stefan Johansson becomes the main talking point.

You've got to ask Giacomo. ahaha

Amen to that.
Renault, I believe, are very close to shutting shop on their F1 adventures.



The rumour is that they want to sponsor the team, only if Raikkonen is brought in. Which strikes as odd to have a communications company aligning themselves with the most uncommunicative driver on the gird.

Eh, you're the one that brought up Johansson in the first place, Sparky.

Duh. He's coming out of retirement to drive for US F1 as they couldn't get the experienced drivers they wanted.

Btw did you know that the present head of the board and former CEO of Nokia is also the head of the board at Shell which is one of Ferrari's sponsors.

Not that it would matter. But maybe they will buy that Santander out.