Grazy situation, and I hope he still find racing more exiting than money...

Kimi has strong hand regardless - he'll get hefty pay either way and perhaps have different fun either way too
Robertsons, if article is true, are in awkward position - they stand to gain the most if they do not get Kimi a drive next year.

All of the sudden I find the situation amusing and I'm curious which way it is going to resolve

That's just silly rumor.

Unbelievable how people trust everything they read.

You start to believe rumours when nothing real happends

I sure hope something is anounced during the weekend... the wait has been just too loooooong

Let's be clear:

Kimi will do whatever is best for his long-term financial prospects.

He won't accept a worse deal just to appease some looney fanboys on the internet.

Two pages wasted because some dude in a blog wrote that he heard from an unspecified german journalist some details from Kimi's contract.
I will go out on a limb and say that very few people know the details of what went on between Kimi and Ferrari, and these people are not talking about it.

Like I Told before...Mclaren wants kimi and Kimi goes to Mclaren...it was certain already in Belgium...but of course Kimi wanted to be sure that Mclaren still has 100% support of Mercedes...all the rest of articles is bulls**** and is just to attract people to discuss and read there pages...

If Kimi would retired he told that long time ago...took the money and go rallying...I think if you follow F1 for years he's always been honoust in what he really told the press, and he told that he's too young to quit F1 and he signed a contract for 2010 with ferrari because he wanted to drive in 2010...

Thanks for the info, desdi.

Interesting, but I don't think theres anything new there, I read it as a speculative piece not an inside scoop.

You base your whole discussion what is in the Robertsons' best financial interest on assuming a french journo report is correct. Good to know. Whether that's true I don't know but you are basically assuming Kimi and the Robertson's are idiots and allowed Ferrari to pull a masterstroke though an expensive one, I must admit

Financially it is a win for Kimi and especially for Robetson, competitively it is a win for Ferrari, so I wouldn't say Kimi and Robertson are idiots in that case, and definitely not Robertson

Imagine how much it would have cost them if they had screwed up.

Well Ferrari need give engines for free to sign Kimi with Macca in other way they lose 30M bucks.

maybe mclaren but money is the problem. his wage demands are high!

Youre welcome
I dont understand all the petty bickering about semantics in this thread. I was hoping for more people to give their two cents about the french article, but apparently not.

In my opinion the article is the most important bit of insight we have seen on the subject for a long time now. It could be something someone just thought up of course. But it looks to be more than just that. This would explain all the secrecy and general "tight lipped ness" about the whole thing. And why its taking so long. The whole "Kimi wants too much money" doesnt explain this enough. The Robertsons would have closed the deal a long time ago if it was just that - judging from their track record. But when the McLaren-Mercedes business relation is on the table as well - then I can understand why you need time to dot the i's and cross the t's. Anyway - its the reason that makes the most sense to me at the moment. But lets see.

Why would it be a win competitively for Ferrari? I thought Kimi was a mediocre, washed up driver who would demotivate whatever team he went to, it's in Ferrari's best interest for Kimi to drag down their competitors.

he didn't live up to their expectations but it doesn't make him an utter crap. I never believed in "demotivated" bs and he's obviously not mediocre, so he's still a formidable force. One doesn't exclude another, it is not black and white world

Problem is the way some people around here make it seem as if you're not in Schumachereque standards, you're a complete waste of a Formula 1 seat

Wow, he is not crap you're saying? Better still, he is formidable? Oh my, never thought Kimi's stock would rise so much during Silly Season!

Care to show any post where I said that Kimi is crap or mediocre? It seems to me you're one of those who put words into other people mouse and then argue with them. Very cheap and dirty tactics.

Maybe because this is one of the most sensible things posted on the topic in general that it didn't get much of a response. Thanks for posting

I think the French article/blog hit the nail on the head. I (and a few others) have been saying the same thing for a while - the Robertsons would never leave their client's future to chance - especially with murmurings that Mercedes were on their way out. Its all coming down to the Mclaren's future. There would be no need to wait until seasons end to announce anything had everything been so clear early on. Hence why Whitmarsh mentioned months ago that a decision would be made at the end of the season. Kimi and his management want guarantees from Mercedes and Mclaren. Once some can be made (if they can be made) - it will then help them (Robertsons) decide on the type of deal to pursue. Its not the money or the sponsorship.

As for the level of posting on these threads - absolute garbage. The other threads were closed for a reason and this will most likely follow suit if not improved. If you don't have anything of not to say - stay away. If you want to come on here and flame away - get ready to be reprimanded and/or banned.

Good points, gerry. Relating what Whitmarsh as 'decision would be made at the end of season', it all makes sense. I don't see McLaren offering ridiculously low money to Kimi. Nor do I see Kimi walking off just because he does not get 5-10 million dollar extra. If McLaren's willingness to have Kimi is genuine, we would see Kimi with them no matter what next year.

Finnish sources TS and MTV3 are also reporting on McLaren and Mercedes parternship talks, but without mentioning any connection of Kimi contract. I think desdi's article was a very relevant one.

I have also missed the McLaren-Mercedes angle in the deal completely, but it all make sence when you think of it deeper. They certainly want to know a detail this important before finalyzing the contract. Money is not the key here, it would have been too easy to be adapted to...

I don' buy this. Kimi is probably looking for a short contract anyway. The article does not explain any potential reason for Haug's comments. He praised Kimi before and then suddenly hit quite hard with the comments last week. Money is definitely a big issue, which indicates that Kimi's Ferrari exit contract may in fact have a clause that gives him more money if he doesn't drive for anyone. Or then he just asks too much because he wants to maintain his previous salary level.

No one has given any plausible explanation for Haug's comments. You just hear "smoke screen, smoke screen". For what? What possible reason could they have that would mandate Haug to come out and lie to the press? He could've just kept his mouth shut and let everybody keep guessing.

As far as I know we have the following "facts":
- Whitmarsh and Haug said they are interested in Kimi.
- Kimi said he wants a winning car and that McLaren is an option.
- Haug said that a "big name" wants too much money.

Everything else is just speculation. From this my conclusion is that money is the issue. I hope it gets solved.

Well he didn't say quite that. What he said was:



If Haug thought Kimi was just a big name wanting a lot of money, Kimi wouldn't be an option now would he? Haug might have been talking just in general, or maybe Button or Trulli have made propositions for them with a bit too high price tags for their liking?

IMO it's the former and people are reading way too much into this - for me it sounds just like regular pep talk jargon coming from an employer looking for someone to hire. Actually I've heard that a couple of times myself in job interviews.

I don't think money is the main issue holding the Kimi/Mac announcement. That said, money is always some issue but usually quite easily fixed if the volition is there for each party to make things happend.

I can see the point from Kimi's side to hold the deal before the future of McLarens engine supply and main partnership is defined for the near future...If that is the case it would show comitment way over 2010, which would be a good sign...

Have there been some news/rumours about when Mclaren will announce their second driver?
I hope that they would do that today as it´s the best PR wise (think about the Ferrari-Fairnando announcement). They (and there sponsors) will be the center of attention.

The french article says that Kimi will be announced as a Mclaren driver for 2010 next Tuesday (3rd of November).

Oh dear I´d like to know before the race whether this will be Kimi´s last one or not

It won't be. The guy still has the willingness to fight a bit more at F1.

Let´s hope that you´re right
BTW I love your signature

Here in Brazil there's a popular saying that more or less says: "There are no arguments against the clear facts."

That means the Robertsons signed a crap severance deal with Ferrari.

Who says that the rumours are true?

the mercedes live event takes place on 8th nov....kovalainen is featured in their official website to take part in the event as hamilton's ''team mate''..
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/un...cedes-benz.html

its highly unlikely heikki's replacement will be announced before the event.

Well - if Kimi is announced, one could also look at the event as Heikkis farewell or something. Not totally unlikely.
I suspect the organisers of the event wanted to get some info from McLaren probably several weeks ago to put in their advertising. And since the situation wasnt cleared by that time, they may have had to just announce Heikki as Lewis teammate.

and they renewed...
http://translate.google.cn/translate?u=htt...CN&ie=UTF-8

F1 - McLaren Raikkonen guarantees the presence of Mercedes...

Don't think that's an issue. Kimi was in Stuttgart (Stars&Cars) long after his Ferrari announcement.

I've tried to give one: Haug doesn't want strong Mclaren because very soon it will be one of the main rivals. Also his words could be warning before final negotiations.

BTW I think Kimi's situation very similar to Button - he also need to wait high negotiations and if it would be successful for Brawn he will get what he want. Simple. Logic.

Well at best we will hear something at Wednesday 4th. At worse - a week or two after.

The news is fake. Lewis will be at Croydon.

You couldnt resist, could you

Well what else could they say... And besides it doesn't necessarily mean that Heikki will be there.

i just find it odd that heikki would be there just days after hed be fired.would be embarassing for him.

peroa,i didnt know of that kimi/stuttgart thing.but the situation is a little different here as keikki is being replaced instead of leaving like in kimi's case.. i think the appearance at that event would be a little odd for him.

maybe he wouldnt attend at all..its not like he's the ''star attraction'' there anyway

Why? Kimi was sacked and he appeared on Ferrari Shell event at Brazil - so what?

www.f1.com

Thursday’s conference includes departing Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen and the man who replaces him next year, Fernando Alonso. On Friday, among the team principals is the man whose squad recently claimed the 2009 constructors’ crown, Ross Brawn. The line-up in full...

Thursday October 29, 1500 hours local time (1100 GMT):
Fernando Alonso (Renault), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Jarno Trulli (Toyota).

Great. I want to hear what Adrian has to say

OK, I'm probably just dense but what's so special about that press conference lineup?

Or rather, what does it have to do with this thread?

Exactly.

Well it seems people think it's sign - we will hear some announcement or whatever. I bet we'll hear nothing but 'dunno, maybe, soon, wrc, mclaren, ?'.