I recall reading somewhere - possibly on this forum - that Nokia have no intention of getting back into Formula One.

Um, the first result is this thread.

Hadly the hot rumout you're making it out to be.

WRC?

C'mon, there's no drama in saying Philip Morris have a penchant for nordic drivers. I'm sure they have broader demographics.
I noticed a trend line, but Giacomo disagrees with me. That's fine with me.


*Just to get done with this, i'll add:
Mika Hakkinen - backed by Marlboro through his junior career, later picked by Ron - not saying the opposite. Worth every penny.
Mika Salo - picked by Jean - can't say Marlboro - subbing for injured Schumi. Average, except for Monza and Hockenheim, two races that leaned heavily on car/engine performance.
Kimi Raikkonen - Jean's pick, dunno, surely worth his price...
JJ Letho - backed by Marlboro, tested for Ferrari. First opportunities with Onyx, then Scuderia Italia (both sponsored by Marlboro).
Jan Magnussen could also be considered here - Mercedes driver, test driver for Mclaren (1 race), raced for Team Penske (then with Mercedes engine) in CART.
As for Stefan, i really thought it was common knowledge...

Let me *ahem* try *ahem* to kill the Alonso to Ferrari 2010 rumors for once and all.

1. We all know Ferrari has contracts with Kimi and Felipe for 2010, if Felip's out Fisi's in.
2. This is old news (not that old) but very interesting . But it's authentic and strong.
"Renault CEO expects Alonso to stay"
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...710132451.shtml
3. Kimi and Ferrari have said numerous time that they have contract for 2010.

News against the above:
1. Witmarsh expects Alonso To Ferrari.


So can we now say that Alonso to Ferrari in 2010 are just rumors and nothing more? Maybe a deal is in place for 2011.

You forgot something:

2. Everybody in the paddock expects Alonso to Ferrari

It's just like the Kimi rumours back in 2005/6. McLaren, Ferrari and Kimi denied everything, but everyone else was saying it was a done deal. And it was.

Or Whitmarsh is pulling the double-bluff when he actually knows that FA is coming back to McLaren?

That's not a rumour, it's bullshit. Nokia is trying to make their brand associated with green initiatives and reliability. This is all public knowledge. How can anyone think they would want to associate their brand with F1 (!green) and Renault (!reliable)? Kimi is a terrible fit as well. The only thing Nokia would gain is wider recognition to the fact that the company is headquartered in Finland. Many people still think Nokia is Japanese and Nokia hasn't been keen to correct their opinion.

Now that would be interesting!

Besides I will be totally gutted if Ferrari part with Kimi Moreover I can't imagine now Kimi going to any other team :/. I'd rather see him enjoying in WRC!

Nicked this off PF1

Raikkonen to receive € 25M from Ferrari
5 September 2009

Yesterday, the morning 8:30 am edition (live show) of the Italian National Radio (RAI) reported that Kimi Raikkonen will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2009 season.

The standoff between the involved parties lasted for several months already. Kimi Raikkonen, despite a renewed contract for 2010 is no longer in plans for the Scuderia Ferrari for the future. Their target since 2008 is Fernando Alonso, who has the support of Banco Santander, a sponsor announced for next year. Also, Kimi Raikkonen himself is closer than ever to a deal with Brawn GP (or, accordingly, with McLaren), his victory at Spa will change nothing.

The Italian radio reported that Steve Robertson (Kimi's manager) proposed his conditions regarding the Finn. If Ferrari did not accept the forfeit asked for breach of the contract, his proposal was the resignation of Stefano Domenicali and Kimi's contract extension to 2011. That was a gamble lost early. The Italian team have refused the alternative proposed by the staff of Raikkonen, thus Scuderia will pay a penalty for breaking the contract.

Indeed, according to the Italian radio, the forfeit would be 25 million euros, but with the "premium" for both parties. That is to say that Raikkonen, having a contract for 2010 with Ferrari, the latter will pay, in addition to a traditional fixed 25m, for the results of Kimi Raikkonen in 2010 in another team for the final settlement. Either: 1 million victory, 1 million on a pilot basis and 1 million euros under the manufacturer ... even if Alonso and Ferrari are world champion manufacturer in 2010 ...

original article in French:
http://www.tomorrownewsf1.com/f1-raikkonen...ez-ferrari-7210

This is it for me then! adios!

Sounds like the body language between Kimi and Stefano at Spa was telling, then, they have totally fallen out. Demanding the TP's resignation?

Thanks Mandzipop.

That story really does confirm what has been rumoured for weeks.

That Raikkonen's team are playing hardball financially but Ferrari won't budge in their desire to have Kimi leave the team to make way for Alonso.

So Ferrari are preparing to make history, the most money ever paid to a driver not to drive the car.

What a total waste of cash.

Personally I think Brawn should keep Barrichello. He's pretty much as good as Button, and will cost a fraction of Raikkonen's salary.

I doubt that there is a problem between Kimi and Stefano. Kimi just isn´t that kind of guy who likes to enfold other people (excluding familiy member and close friends). Look at the hug between Vettel and Kimi. Although they are good friends it doesn´t look that lovely either.

And look at this video. I think they are getting along well.
http://www.mediafire.com/?jmdhzwdzugn (Courtesy of Tania)

I wish this 25M euro payoff BS will be true.

In this case Kimi get money and possibility driving in another team - clever move.

I would rather be amused if Kimi's management did a mathmatically strategic proposal, I guess Kimi has no struggle with Stephano.

All indications are pointing to what many have been speculating for several weeks now. Ferrari don't want Kimi. Surely that is clear now?

I'm sure Kimi and Stefano did get on well.

But there's nothing to sour a relationship like being sacked.

Yeah I just replayed the BBC footage of just before the podium they seem fine.

Kimi back in a Mclaren will be mega. I think hell be more of a match for Alonso and Massa in the Ferrari's. I think he is a class above Lewis as well, which is a shame because i would love to see Hami win a few races next year. Im really hoping Kimi back to Mclaren instead of a Renault or Brawn.

Excuse me but I dont exactly understand the paragraph above, maybe its a language thing on my side. Could anybody be of a help?

I wish Kimi goes back to McLaren now. But they want Rosberg

I think it means that if Kimi goes to another team and wins a race Ferrari has to pay him 1million$ (or Euro ) as a bonus for his victory.
I am not too sure if I am right.

I wonder if we'll see Kimi and Monty together next weekend? That might be a bit less pally perhaps.

Anyway I think if Ferrari were keeping Kimi they'd have said something to quash all the rumours, like they did last year. I think he is on the move.

But if they've committed then they're really assuming that Fernando isn't going to get a ban. Seems unlikely but not impossible, to me.

Good! Because Nico unlike Kimi has scored points in all but 2 races. Far more consistent and reliable than Kimi. Mercedes would be better with Nico, he is German and - the only driver to openly support and wish Lewis and McLaren the 2008 title. What more can you ask for? No one forced Kimi leave McLaren, he had his chance and its goodbye

if that either-kimi-or-stefano-thing is true, imo it's just to make sure ferrari kicks out kimi and thereby breaking the contract so that kimi/his management get some $$. seriously, they can't expect ferrari to kick stefano and keep kimi for two more years when everyone and his dog knows that ferrari wants alonso and vice versa. demanding the the principal's resignation... haha... they cannot be serious <mcenroe/> ,)

More like Mclaren had the oppurtunity to do something special with raikonnen when they had him all those years and they never could...... So Kimi said Goodbye.

Rosberg is a match for Lewis in pace and probably a bit better technically and in race craft. I just hope he hasnt signed a number 2 contract. There might be problems again.

The good thing about raikonnen is that you know hes never going to settle for playing lapdog.

how does that work? Kimi gets paid for winning for another team? If it's true, Robertson is a legend

They did deny all those rumours at the beginning. There was an interview with Domi with BBC (in June or something around this time) and he was asked whether Kimi will drive for Ferrari in 2010! And his answer was: YES!

I still hope that they are just tired of denying those rumours again and again and just let them flow as inside the team they know exactly what the situation is like. Maybe they are just playing with the press. After all Kimi is not that senstitive as Flippi is, so he doesn´t need this puplic support.

What I am wondering about is that no journalist is asking this Stefano directly whether Kimi will still be in the team next year. They are just asking in such a way that he is able to give woolly answers.

Again I don´t know whether I understood it right. Maybe someone could help?

Thank you, I thought so too, but it is really strange and weird.

No one says that the story from RAI has to be true They have to invent some new details therefore the article gets more interesting.

Yeah, I just had a look too.

They seemed happy enough.

There's bound to be a bit of tension because Kimi is being sacked.

But both men are grown up enough to know this is a professional sport with huge money at stake so tough decisions are taken all the time.

Kimi is overrated - aside from being gifted the WDC by Lewis. He had to also rely on Massa helping him. Fastforward 2008 and 2009 he got outclassed and destroyed by Massa. Kimi would go down in history as a fast driver is unreliable and ended up most over-paid driver in f1 history. Nico is super vlaue for money, like you said he is as fast as Lewis and he of course would come chaper than the over-priced and unreliable Kimi. Nico for McLaren

cool story, bro

I wont mind Nico in the Mclaren as long he doesnt settle for number 2 status and just hopes to pick up his first win and be a happy boy. You know that wouldnt happen with Kimi. I think you are underestimating him. On his day he is probably still Fastest or second fastest man out there. He just needs the hunger again. A new team will be that i think.

Why are them so sure?

Or someone at Ferrari (or somewhere else) thought they would have a little game with RAI..."are they silly enough to swallow even this?"

So hopefully even if Kimi is leaving there is no bad feeling, as Potmotr says. Personally I hope to see him against Lewis at Mac, but anyway in a Ferrari that works properly for him is an improvement. Or at Brawn even he will bring them forward, and Ross certainly would understand what he needs.

Nico wants to race, win and test himself againt Lewis. He said so himself, so if he is happy and confident in his decision and belief to comepte and win. Who are you to question this? Also, Why would he want to be number 2? Love the number 2 conspriacy. If Kovi was fast he wont need to be number 2. Oh btw Kimi was Ferraris number 2 driver in 2008

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5538954,00.html

Anyway since Massas injury is not an issue in terms of next years line up (Ferrari solved that with Fisi), we have either Alonso or Kimi for second seat.
According to many here money are not a biggie in this, so we should expect Alonso in Ferrari confirmation next week by Monza at last. I cant wait.

I think Kimi has let himself down badly in the past 18 months.

The perception has been that he hasn't been fully motivated.

He seems to have come back to life in the past three races but that is too late to save his career at Ferrari.

You'd have to say, that is a massive wasted opportunity for Kimi.

He's now been at Formula One's two top teams.

In my opinion McLaren let him down between 2002-2006, but he has largely let Ferrari down since 2008.

Brilliant news. I've been waiting for my boy to be sacked for the past two years and looks like the day's finally here. Thank doG.

I wonder if they'll make him drive for the rest of the year.

Well Dyer said that Ferrari has let him down in 2008. I think it wouldn´t be fair to just blame Kimi for the misery in 2008.
But anyway I think that´s not the thread to discuss such things.

I think, that kimi needs a big restart and changing the team is good opportunity....
I would be happy with brawnGP kimi+button pairing.

It is fairly clear Kimi wants to stay at Ferrari but the team no longer wants him.

I think that has everything to do with his being outperformed by Massa from 2008 onward, and also the perception he has become a bit disinterested.

I can't think of any other reason why they'd have recruited Alonso.

I'm sure McLaren takes Kimi any day before Nico, regadles how good the young Rosberg is. With Kimi they will get the Ferrari star back to main rival hype which will be something we haven't seen for a while...

Im not questioning anything. I just dont want to see him in a number 2 role, because i believe him to be a match if not slightly better than Lewis.

potmor: I can't think of any other reason why they'd have recruited Alonso.

Maybe the reason is, that with alonso is packed also some technical staff same as was with shumi the target is stronger ferrari, because after todt and ross departure ferrari returns to tifosi mode- pre shumacher

Is it? At the moment there are just rumours that Ferrari will kick him out. Just if those rumours turn out to be the truth it is clear. Until now nothing is clear.

I'm no fan of either Alonso or Raikkonen, but don't dislike them either.

My view is that Alonso is much more a leader than Raikkonen. He motivates a team and pushes them extremely hard both in and out of the car.

Kimi is great when the car is great, but when the performance slips away he either can't motivate the team or looses interest, ending up being basically invisible, like he has in the past 18 months.