46 replies to this topic

[Totall73]

Both MTV3 and Turun Sanomat (Heikki Kulta) are reporting that Kimi is at the moment testing a GP3 car in Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. He´s probably doing it just for fun. Kimi´s good friend Marko Koiranen is running the Koiranen Motorsport team in GP3.

[Cyanide]

It's done. Raikkonen is moving to GP3.

[chrisblades85]

This confirms that he's signed for Red Bull.

[chdphd]

Is he wearing a gorilla suit?

[Oho]

It's done. Raikkonen is moving to GP3.

Well now we know what he meant when he said his decision is gonna look stupid to some observers.

[Trust]

Are GP3 using Pirelli tyres?

[One]

Business. he will be setting up prep squad team and feeling if GP3 is a good way to send a young star to F1.

[Cyanide]

Are GP3 using Pirelli tyres?

Yes. I see the pattern now.

Kimi tests for GP3 -> GP3 uses Pirelli -> Formula 1 uses Pirelli -> Red Bull uses Pirelli -> Kimi signed Red Bull

You can close the Kimi to Ferrari thread, guys.

[Trust]

Yes. I see the pattern now.

Kimi tests for GP3 -> GP3 uses Pirelli -> Formula 1 uses Pirelli -> Red Bull uses Pirelli -> Kimi signed Red Bull

You can close the Kimi to Ferrari thread, guys.

Maybe he is trying to learn how to better switch those tyres. Any help is needed for the champioship!

[Cyanide]

Maybe he is trying to learn how to better switch those tyres. Any help is needed for the champioship!

I doubt it. GP3 cars heat the tyres in a different manner than an F1 car. You cannot get the full idea of how a Lotus F1 car switches on its tyres, based on a GP3 test.

[Oho]

I doubt it. GP3 cars heat the tyres in a different manner than an F1 car. You cannot get the full idea of how a Lotus F1 car switches on its tyres, based on a GP3 test.

I really don't think there is any rationale apart from Räikkönen enjoying anything that goes fast behind this test, especially as the pressure is largely off for him.

[Vesuvius]

This test is to help pirelli develop tyres and to develop gp3 cars as well ...at least according to mtv3.

[dreamer]

Are GP3 using Pirelli tyres?

They use pirelli tyres but if I'm not mistaken they don't use the same tyres they do in F1

[DS27]

Is he wearing a plain white crash helmet

[kimister]

It should be fun It seems this guy just cannot resist to try every kind of machines going fast ;)

[Totall73]

Is he wearing a plain white crash helmet

Why do I got the feeling that Kimi may have told Lotus that he´s going to test and try whatever machine he likes as long as they are late in the salary payments to him. Right attitude

[ApexMouse]

Yip, he's so strong and independant FANTASTIC YAY.

He should drive everything in the middle of the F1 season, just ask Robert.

Seriously, its a bit of fun for someone who likes driving....

Edited by ApexMouse, 16 August 2013 - 15:18.

[Gorma]

Yes. I see the pattern now.

Kimi tests for GP3 -> GP3 uses Pirelli -> Formula 1 uses Pirelli -> Red Bull uses Pirelli -> Kimi signed Red Bull

You can close the Kimi to Ferrari thread, guys.

You're getting it all wrong.. You are forgetting that Pirelli is Italian.

[swerved]

This new bloke looks pretty handy in a car.


http://www.gp3series...-the-GP313-car/

[Baddoer]

Pirelli secret test.

[F1ultimate]

It's amazing the freedom that Lotus allow Kimi.

Btw, the car looks beautiful.


http://www.f1fanatic...r-in-barcelona/

Edited by F1ultimate, 16 August 2013 - 16:02.

[swerved]

It's amazing the freedom that Lotus allow Kimi.

Btw, the car looks beautiful.


http://www.f1fanatic...r-in-barcelona/

Especially considering what happened to Robert, but its no coincidence i think that he's shone in that atmosphere, and what a great way to build up for Spa, 58 laps thrashing that around

[primus]

Especially considering what happened to Robert, but its no coincidence i think that he's shone in that atmosphere, and what a great way to build up for Spa, 58 laps thrashing that around

At least he was a faster than the same team driver this year in qualifying

5 27 A. Vainio Koiranen GP 13 1:35.183 0.990 0.072 176.060 10:15:22

"After a complete one day programme, Raikkonen covered 58 laps (270km) with a best laptime of 1:34.780 set at 16h40 local time. He gave invaluable feedback regarding the car’s behaviour and the tyres’ performance and degradation which will definitely help improve the car for next season."

[Vesuvius]

Kimi's interview:
Kimi at the wheel of gp3 car

[Vesuvius]

At least he was a faster than the same team driver this year in qualifying

5 27 A. Vainio Koiranen GP 13 1:35.183 0.990 0.072 176.060 10:15:22

"After a complete one day programme, Raikkonen covered 58 laps (270km) with a best laptime of 1:34.780 set at 16h40 local time. He gave invaluable feedback regarding the car’s behaviour and the tyres’ performance and degradation which will definitely help improve the car for next season."

Well Korjus did 1,34,1 (pole time)with koiranen gp car but Kimi was at the track completely alone, never had driven the gp3 car and weather was much hotter than during gp3 weekend so his time was as excpected impressive.

Edited by Vesuvius, 16 August 2013 - 17:11.

[ApexMouse]

Well Korjus did 1,34,1 (pole time)with koiranen gp car but Kimi was at the track completely alone, never had driven the gp3 car and weather was much hotter than during gp3 weekend so his time was as excpected impressive.

6 tenths off GP3 driver? He should retire, E21 is practically a spaceship.

[Vesuvius]

6 tenths off GP3 driver? He should retire, E21 is practically a spaceship.

You are joking right?

[Taxi]

he's joking of course.

[SpaMaster]

So much for the once saying 'Kimi can't test, can't give feedback'.

I think they were specifically interested in understanding the nuances of the tyres - performance, degradation, etc. Kimi is arguably the best at it. Remember Boullier said that Kimi immediately became the master of the tyres after testing it the first time. He related to how the tyres behaved instantaneously. Kimi has very good sensitivity to the car's behaviour and tell exactly that. Very nice to hear about this.

[Frankbullitt]

How low is he in the car!!!

[Taxi]

Yeah that puzzles me too. Where is the idea "kimi is a bad developer, only drives, doesn't care about technic"?

[InSearchOfThe]

It's amazing the freedom that Lotus allow Kimi.

A happy Kimi is a fast Kimi.

[Jape65]

A happy Kimi is a fast Kimi.

...and angry Kimi is a beast. (Monaco 2013)

[TimRTC]

It's amazing the freedom that Lotus allow Kimi.

Not particularly, a few laps in a GP3 car is probably far safer than him driving at home in Finland.

Most GT and tintop drivers compete in numerous different series, marques and classes of vehicle without anyone batting an eyelid.

[F1ultimate]

Especially considering what happened to Robert, but its no coincidence i think that he's shone in that atmosphere, and what a great way to build up for Spa, 58 laps thrashing that around

How long until F1 team buy into GP3 teams just to test pirelli tires? However its unlikely that the spec of GP3 tires have much in common with the over-engineered F1 tires.

[Totall73]

Not particularly, a few laps in a GP3 car is probably far safer than him driving at home in Finland.

Most GT and tintop drivers compete in numerous different series, marques and classes of vehicle without anyone batting an eyelid.

When you haven´t (arguably) paid someone´s full salary in time, you´re normally not in the best position to argue about the terms of the contract...

[Totall73]

Yeah that puzzles me too. Where is the idea "kimi is a bad developer, only drives, doesn't care about technic"?

Right where it has always been according to the people who have worked with him - nowhere.

[Shiroo]

I wonder sometimes if RBR would give him as much freedom as Lotus.
Will it be the reason to stay with Lotus? Doubt it, but if they will perform as good as now and secure their financial background then it might be the reason to stay there in the end

[F1ultimate]

When you haven´t (arguably) paid someone´s full salary in time, you´re normally not in the best position to argue about the terms of the contract...

Maybe he can do a Jenson and ask to not get paid but keep the car at the end of the season.

[intelligentsia]

It is obviously not the same as an F1 car, but perhaps it could be a bit of practice. Drivers must at times miss a bit of driving when there is no testing and with such large gaps in the schedule.

[motorhead]

Yeah that puzzles me too. Where is the idea "kimi is a bad developer, only drives, doesn't care about technic"?

Well that was myth brought by the fans of "the best developer"

[Totall73]

It is obviously not the same as an F1 car, but perhaps it could be a bit of practice. Drivers must at times miss a bit of driving when there is no testing and with such large gaps in the schedule.

I think it actually may be a good thing to get some driving under the belt after the relatively long summer break. Of course it doesn´t make much of a difference but maybe he can get some sharpness to his driving insticts.

By the way the manager for Koiranen Motorsport, Antti Heikkinen said that he was impressed about Kimi´s performance because the circuit had not been used for a while because of the summer holiday period and it was very dusty and Kimi was basically driving in a cloud of dust. Also the temperature was very high. He said also that one can always recognize a true pro because it took Kimi only two laps to get into good speed.

[g1n]

Kimi to GP3?

[Miggeex]

Kimi to GP3?

That's how it looks like when looking at all the evidence's we've got. Waiting for the official announcement

[BlackCat]

yeah, Kujala has been kind of weak link in the Koiranen team

[noikeee]

Yeah that puzzles me too. Where is the idea "kimi is a bad developer, only drives, doesn't care about technic"?

No no no, he's still rubbish at feedback, the only reason he's driving the GP3 car is on purpose to shut up people in internet forums running with that theory.

/removes tin-foil hat

[HistoryFan]

Are there other F1 drivers who tested for lower racing series?

Kimi with Koiranen in GP3.
Schumacher for Super Nova in GP2 in 2009.
James Hunt for Pacific in F3000 in 1989.
Nelson Piquet for Piquet in F3000 in 1992.