89 replies to this topic

[SeanValen]

Nothing lasts forever.

Who knows, maybe Michael Schumacher will return in 2010. After a long break, he's already tested the 2009 rules car configuration and was fast. If MS came back, it would be a very exciting time for f1, he's a all time superstar and still capable of driving cars fast, everyone should cross their fingers for 2010, Schumacher is like fine wine.

2007/08.09 3 year rest for Schumi, and personally as much as I like Kimi, I found all the Schumacher and Raikkinen super team driver line up for 2007 back in 2006 pretty annoying, I hate to say it, but I expected more from Kimi, both 2007 and 2008 starts to his title campaign were shakey, and he's lost the lead currently at Monaco now, and Massa has been his best teamate and overshadowed him on the occassions your asking questions of Kimi.

I largely think Kimi is very talented, very fast, but it he's like a tidal wave, becoming predicable, his qualifying performances are still inconsistent, how long can we wait for him to clean that up, he's made more mistakes in quali in 2007/08 then most of his career, I'm not sure if the bridgestone tyres suite him like michelin, or he can't adapt as well.

HOWEVER, he's still one of the best, and capable of winniing titles, his speed at Spa, Nurburgring and sadly gone Suzuka, are up there with Schumacher, however he's way too conversative and not attacking in rain races, and has yet to win one, what happens if you get 2-3 rain gps in a season, that's when you would want Schumacher driving.

I personally think Schumacher is still the best in retirement, so if Kimi goes,come back Schumi, the most complete driver in f1 history, and also he's more then a driver, when ferrari are in trouble, you want MS, a proper captain of his ship.

But for now, Kimi must beat Massa to the title, otherwise Kimi would look more replaceable, plus when he hints of leaving the sport possibly a year before his contracts runs out, you question his lust for success, and he never really set out or said he wanted to win alot, I think he's happy with the 2007 title, but he may loss some of his stature depending how he handles Massa, because he is putting pressure on him, whether Kmi wants to comment on it or not, and I'm not sure if Kimi is going to like the media much the longer he stays, his lifeline is much shorter, someone like Hamilton already was a friend of the media, Hamilton probabley will stick around for a long time, plus Mclaren is like a life home, in the way Schumacher made ferrari his own, Kimi on the othernand always felt like he was droping by.

I don't like Alonso's character, but he would probabley be the best for ferrari in 2010 if Kimi goes, and if Schumacher never comes back. Hamilton is loyal to Mclaren, but then I thought that with Kimi, if Mclaren don't win titles in 2008/2009, then I'm sure Hamilton would consider ferrari, Mclaren haven't won the WCC since 1998 and drivers title since 1999, and that's a long time, infact Renault have had more recent success and wouldn't bet against more, they are long term, Renault and ferrari are done the top jobs this decade, Mclaren came close, but they also got done for cheating, you never though can count out Mclaren, they are capable of of surprising.

[BMW_F1]

sure why not .. and bring back JPM and JV as well to give Shumi a hard time again..

[VresiBerba]

Originally posted by Risil
But I agree, unlike Jacques Villeneuve he has never gone the extra mile to win a race. Or the other four either, for that matter.

What do you mean by 'extra mile'?

[giacomo]

I want Mansell to come back. And Piquet. At Williams.

[DoubleWDC]

Okay I'll bite.

Originally posted by SeanValen
[B]
Who knows, maybe Michael Schumacher will return in 2010. After a long break, he's already tested the 2009 rules car configuration and was fast. If MS came back, it would be a very exciting time for f1, he's a all time superstar and still capable of driving cars fast, everyone should cross their fingers for 2010, Schumacher is like fine wine.

Why would any sane MS fan want their hero to come back and embarrass himself by coming back after his best before-date as a 41(!) year OLD man. It was obvious in his last seasons that while he still was fast there were many crazy errors and lapses of good judgement like spinning out behind safety car, parking at Monaco and that boneheaded driving at Hungary. When your over 40 your reflexes are slower and your fitness automatically is not what it was 15 years earlier and there's no way to overcome those facts.

2007/08.09 3 year rest for Schumi, and personally as much as I like Kimi, I found all the Schumacher and Raikkinen super team driver line up for 2007 back in 2006 pretty annoying,

Apparently so did MS.

however he's way too conversative and not attacking in rain races, and has yet to win one, what happens if you get 2-3 rain gps in a season, that's when you would want Schumacher driving.

China 2007 was wet. What you'd get in 2010 from Schumacher would be another Hungary 2006.

But for now, Kimi must beat Massa to the title, otherwise Kimi would look more replaceable, plus when he hints of leaving the sport possibly a year before his contracts runs out

That's not what he's saying at all. He might quit after 2009.

[Georg_Kuyumji]

Originally posted by djellison
He's so dull and dreary infront of the camera most of the time. He makes a post-victory press conf. look like a funeral wake. I really wouldn't be sad to see him go.

Doug

LOL Doug so true.

[Risil]

Originally posted by VresiBerba
What do you mean by 'extra mile'?

It was a rather clumsy deliberate misinterpretation of the phrase 'extra mile' used by another poster, making reference to the 1995 Indy 500, which Jacques Vill Nuff won despite famously running a total of 202 laps.

To my knowledge the most Kimi has ever done to win a race was to drive flawlessly with a blend of verve and raw aggression that recalls Nigel Mansell at his most swashbuckling.

[Jackie]

Originally posted by djellison
He's so dull and dreary infront of the camera most of the time. He makes a post-victory press conf. look like a funeral wake. I really wouldn't be sad to see him go.

Doug

What does that have to do with anything???

[Lazy Prodigy]

Neither because its his own personal business. I will miss him because he is my favorite but you cant do nothing so no point is whining

[MONTOYASPEED]

The same way as when Yoong stopped racing.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by kar
It's strange that a driver that has been considered one of the best in the sport since 2003 is not more divisive.

I mean 55% generally don't care if he goes one way or another, and those that do care, the majority don't care at the extreme range.

Hamilton, Schumacher, all would see the polar ends of this pole loaded with votes.

Anyway, I doubt Kimi would have it any other way actually so to him.

I agree. And I also voted neither happy or unhappy, although I'm a Ferrari fan who would hate to see Alonso in that car. But Kimi doesn't make me very emotional in any way and to be honest I'm more happy when I see Massa winning than Kimi. I don't think I would miss Kimi very much, at least not for himself, only for reasons like I don't want Alonso in a Ferrari.

[speedmaster]

Pretty much expected...He seems to be fed up with the life inside a team like Ferrari and he got his WDC already...

[Ross Stonefeld]

'a team like Ferrar' since McLaren was a beach holidady


I reckon he's just bored with all the BS of Formula 1 and (imo) the lack of racing.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by Tenmantaylor


I chose option three to reflect his own indifference.

Last year, in the middle of the season I read an interview with Kimi. That was when it looked like he again will miss the title. And he said he doesn't care if he ever becomes a WDC or will have to retire without a title.

So, my position on Kimi is always like: if he doesn't care why should I?

I was happy that he won the title last year but that was more for the team than Kimi.

On the other hand, I feel a bit of posturing in these "I don't cares" by Kimi. Maybe it's self-defence, maybe it's his way to try to look macho or cool, but for someone who doesn't care he looked very, very, very, very overjoyed and relieved when he finally won it...

[airwise]

The poll results are spot on for me. I just can't get excited about the guy. He's boring. His races mostly have been boring. Nothing to latch onto and lift him up to cult status for me. He's also been too overshadowed by team mates on occasion to ever join the true elite. He's a Hawthorne, Surtees or Scheckter for me. Not a Clark, Senna or Schumacher. Somehow I hoped for more.

[Galko877]

Originally posted by airwise
He's a Hawthorne, Surtees or Scheckter for me.

Hey, don't be so harsh on him! He always wanted to be a Hunt!

[vsubravet]

I've written this before in another thread but here goes: Kimi, when he was at McLaren, was doing great things with devilishly quick laps, securing Pole Positions and challenging for race wins with the kind of raw speed, verve and control that it was impossible not to like him. But ever since he has gone to Ferrari, the spark is not evident to the same degree; whilst he has won a WDC, his performances since 2007 haven't been as stellar as they were when he was at McLaren. Can't put my finger on why it is so but there doesn't seem to be much joy, for me, anymore, watching Kimi race - quite unlike the situation when he was at McLaren. Maybe because then he was my favourite driver racing for my favourite team but then again I still like Kimi and I still want him to win races. As someone pointed out, is it because his style complemented cars racing on Michelin tyres? His qualifying laps do not have that balls-to-the-walls banzai nature that so characterised his qualy. runs at McLaren. Last year he commented that he felt he was more at home in Ferrari than he was at McLaren but I always felt his style of racing and personality was more suited for McLaren. I do hope he races for a few more years and shows us the immense talent that he still hasn't unleashed and I can savour his victories. He did comment indirectly that he may go to another team - BMW?
Or, he is so disgusted with MM that he decided to call it quits?;)
I would miss him but then if he is happy who am I to feel sad?

[djellison]

Originally posted by Jackie


What does that have to do with anything???

'How would you react if...' was the poll. I gave my answer and my reasons.

You may have different reasons for liking or not liking a driver, and thinking that he does or doesn't make a contribution to the sport.

Doug

[niallmckiernan]

more like how would you feel if he retired at the end of this season?!

[HoldenRT]

It makes me sad how disinterested Kimi seems most of the time. I use the avatar I do because it's one of the only times that he has shown signs of life in public. The rest he is a robot. I can understand his frustration with the media, both on forums and on news sites and newspapers they twist every word you say. This topic is a good example. But there is two ways to approach it, one to hide away and put up a fake front, which is what he does. Or two, to embrace it and just say what you think and whoever disagrees who cares, because it's just an opinion. It's sad because these are not Sunday part time racers they are the best drivers in the world, they are stars and we want to see their personality on and off the track. There has been the odd interview or behind the scene feature where Kimi has come across as quite a likable guy. But you never see it often. It was Ted Kravitz or Mark Blundell doing a fitness thing while he was with McLaren I think.. it's probably on youtube.

If he left, I'd miss watching his driving. I'd miss the thought of his name, but I wouldn't miss "him" because we never get to see "him". Only his close friends and drinking buddies get to see it. I wouldn't miss reading a "Kimi Q&A" and then thinking at the end of it why the bloody hell did I waste my time reading it.

It makes me sad because even his driving I think suffers the same don't care attitude. I've thought since the begginning of this season that it seems like he doesn't care if he is there or not.

[pasadena]

I don't even see that he really likes what he is doing. He has a considerable talent, he is a good albeit not a great driver and he managed to luck into being a WDC. He collected a lot of money and it would be good for F1 if he now makes place for someone else.

[Spunout]

Originally posted by Risil


It was a rather clumsy deliberate misinterpretation of the phrase 'extra mile' used by another poster, making reference to the 1995 Indy 500, which Jacques Vill Nuff won despite famously running a total of 202 laps.

To my knowledge the most Kimi has ever done to win a race was to drive flawlessly with a blend of verve and raw aggression that recalls Nigel Mansell at his most swashbuckling.

Indy 500 is comparable to F1...how, exactly?

[VoidNT]

Originally posted by F1 Tor.
I'd probably go and take a ****.;)

I see many fans just before the start of his last race will have a nice ritual ****.

[ex Rhodie racer]

When Nikki Lauda was asked in practice this morning what he thought about Kimi´s possible retirement at the end of his current contract, he laughed and said that he undertood the reasons why Kimi was depressed at the moment.
"I would also be depressed", said Nikki, "if I had gone to sleep behind the wheel of my car and driven into the back of another competitor. He´ll get over it when he wins here tomorrow".
Mmmmm. Once a Ferrari man, always a Ferrari man, hey Nikki?

[GVera]

I won't be sad if Kimi quits.
I just be worried if Ferrari doesn't get a replacement as good or better than him.

[Galko877]

It's very strange to see these results and answers (although I agree with the "indifferent option"), because on the other hand in the FIA polls Kimi was always one of the most popular drivers (or THE most popular since MS's retirement). I have always wondered how much that has to do with his fanbase of teenage girls...

[xman]

Kimi just said on MTV3 Max recorded interview that it is 50/50 chance that he will continue after 2009, but he hasn't decided yet and said that he will have to decide next year at the latest.

[giacomo]

Originally posted by Galko877
It's very strange to see these results and answers (although I agree with the "indifferent option"), because on the other hand in the FIA polls Kimi was always one of the most popular drivers (or THE most popular since MS's retirement). I have always wondered how much that has to do with his fanbase of teenage girls...

Kimi has a huge fanbase of teenage girls?

Come on, we all know that he is the idol of the male pubescent computer nerds. They think he's one of them.
And that's why he wins all those polls.

[Spunout]

Originally posted by giacomo
Kimi has a huge fanbase of teenage girls?

Come on, we all know that he is the idol of the male pubescent computer nerds. They think he's one of them.
And that's why he wins all those polls.

Why "them" instead of "us"?

[giacomo]

Originally posted by Spunout

Why "them" instead of "us"?

Quite simple: Because I'm neither pubescent nor a Kimi fan.

[Spunout]

Originally posted by giacomo
Quite simple: Because I'm neither pubescent nor a Kimi fan.

I agree with the latter. But constant need to mock one F1 driver or his fans - by calling them "nerds", etc - most certainly fills all criteria of pubescent computer nerd using daddy´s laptop case. More childish behaviour than wise adult preaching the truth to dumb Kimi fanboys. Since you aren´t one of these brave internet warriors, why give such an impression of yourself?

When it comes to teenage girls, I think Japanese ones love KR. They used to worship Mika H.

[giacomo]

Originally posted by Spunout

I agree with the latter. But constant need to mock one F1 driver or his fans - by calling them "nerds", etc - most certainly fills all criteria of pubescent computer nerd using daddy´s laptop case. More childish behaviour than wise adult preaching the truth to dumb Kimi fanboys. Since you aren´t one of these brave internet warriors, why give such an impression of yourself?

Seems I touched a weak spot.

[Spunout]

Originally posted by giacomo
Seems I touched a weak spot.

Yep, I am actually 12 years old computer nerd. Registered in the prodigious age of 5

Nah, I think you had some kind of teenage fantasy there ;)

[giacomo]

Calling me a teenager does not hurt me in the least. Try harder.

[Spunout]

Originally posted by giacomo
Calling me a teenager does not hurt me in the least. Try harder.

I know. That isn´t my goal, anyway. In most cases "hurting" people (kinda relative term on anonymous internet message board, tho) will only strenghten their resolve. I am merely trying to understand your Holy Quest to prove Kimi Räikkönen is overrated, his fans are dumb kids and the whole AtlasF1 is filled with blind Kimi-lovers.

Can you explain it to me?

[PassWind]

Originally posted by Spunout


I know. That isn´t my goal, anyway. In most cases "hurting" people (kinda relative term on anonymous internet message board, tho) will only strenghten their resolve. I am merely trying to understand your Holy Quest to prove Kimi Räikkönen is overrated, his fans are dumb kids and the whole AtlasF1 is filled with blind Kimi-lovers.

Can you explain it to me?

Well its because he (giacomo) is a Muppet, his Avatar certainly resembles one!

[giacomo]

Spunout: Your perception is clearly afflicted by your Kimi blinkers.

Check all my postings, and work out how many of them are anti-Kimi. Then work out the number of anti-Hamilton, anti-Alonso and anti-whoever postings.


Then, if you have those numbers, come back with your "Holy Quest" ****.

[GiancarloF1]

Originally posted by pasadena
I don't even see that he really likes what he is doing. He has a considerable talent, he is a good albeit not a great driver and he managed to luck into being a WDC. He collected a lot of money and it would be good for F1 if he now makes place for someone else.

Spot on.

[William Hunt]

Kimi Should make the choice where he is most happy with, not the choice where the fans are happy with. Personally I would consider it a loss for F1 if a driver like Kimi stops, but in the end it's his life.

[mursuka80]

Originally posted by GiancarloF1


Spot on.

I think a driver in your username should make room for someone else