'Raikkonen's off to Renault'

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 18:36

http://www.planetf1.com/News/Story_P...315829,00.html

Kimi Raikkonen will be the Finn joining Giancarlo Fisichella at Renault next season, according to reports in the Spanish media.

Upon signing for Renault, Fisichella said that although he couldn't confirm who his new team-mate would be next season, he could revealed that it would be "a Finn."

And according to the Spanish press, that 'Finn' isn't Renault test driver Heikki Kovalainen but rather current McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen.

The Finn, out of contract at McLaren, has reportedly been offered four times the annual salary of current Renault driver and World Champion Fernando Alonso to drive for the French squad in 2007 and beyond.

Wonder how much truth there is in this?When i posted it a few months back most people laughed at me.

Then again Renault hadn't signed at the time so i can't blame them really.

sleep4ever · 04-07-2006, 18:40

Surely not

Barny79 · 04-07-2006, 18:44

Where's Alonso going?

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barny79

Where's Alonso going?

You are joking surely?

Mclaren.

john316 · 04-07-2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barny79

Where's Alonso going?

McLaren

Barny79 · 04-07-2006, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

You are joking surely?

No, didn't know Alonso was leaving, not been following too closely this year, hence when I read Alonso wasn't at Renault next season, I wondered where he was going

Barny79 · 04-07-2006, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by john316

McLaren

Thank you

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barny79

No, didn't know Alonso was leaving, not been following too closely this year, hence when I read Alonso wasn't at Renault next season, I wondered where he was going

Sorry m8 i did mean to post mclaren under that,just thought i see you in the f1 threads.

Mr M0by · 04-07-2006, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Wonder how much truth there is in this?When i posted it a few months back most people laughed at me.

Then again Renault hadn't signed at the time so i can't blame them really.

I don't remember anyone laughing at you when you posted... but hey ho. Anyhoo the Spanish press and others 'Pitpass/Grandprix.com etc' have been reporting this for nigh on 2 months so this story on planetf1 is a bit old hat. It was even rumoured at one stage that he had signed a long term option at Ferrari but enjoy a year or two with Renault until Schumacher retired. I opened this thread hoping it was telling us something new it's just more of the same. Anyhoo according to 'sources' it would be announced at Magny Cours. Personally i think if it isn't announced then, then he could still be at anyone of 3 teams next year.... Well 2, seriously, why stay at McLaren?

I'm not having a go at you hunts, it's just that having followed this story eagerly since last August, i finally thought we had an answer to it.

http://forums.autosport.com/showthre...23#post2414723

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 20:16

We have been told that something will be announced at Magny Cours,no one seems to know 100% what but we have an idea.
Hopefully it will be what everone @ Renault wants.
I think it will be yes or no at the french GP,but can't really see why they would announce no he's not signing at there home GP?These talks can go on for months so it might be even longer.
We will have to wait and see i suppose,quite a few thought i was made when i posted i could see Kimi going to Renault early season.

Mr M0by · 04-07-2006, 20:55

For Kimi his first priority is winning the WDC, a Renault next year *could* give him that but a McLaren most certainly won't imo. His only other option (and long standing supposedly) is Ferrari. So it's either or and Renault seem to be the most likely according to recent reports.
If he has signed for Renault surely the only possible reason it hasn't been announced so far is because they want the fan fare of making it public at their home GP. Can anyone else really imagine Flavio being able to contain himself for any longer than that? Having swiped him from Ron, after Ron acquired Fernando.... No chance. So if it's not announced by the close of that weekend then i think Kimi really is undecided about his deal for next season.
I think the resigning of Fisi was a marker for Kimi's future. I once rated Giancarlo as a potentially fantastic driver given the right car but for so often in the Renault he has shown anything but. If Renault are serious about F1 for next season onwards they need to have a drive of WDC class and right now there are only 3 of those in the sport; Fernando, Kimi & Michael.
Still no word of Briatore signing an extension with Renault either yet, well not publicly announced at least. I'd expect either that will come with any Kimi news in France or he is waiting for Raikkonen to make up his mind. I'm not convinced he'd want to be around next year if Fisi was leading the line. Well they won't win either championship in such a scenario imo.

Mr M0by · 04-07-2006, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

I think it will be yes or no at the french GP,but can't really see why they would announce no he's not signing at there home GP?These talks can go on for months so it might be even longer.
We will have to wait and see i suppose,quite a few thought i was made when i posted i could see Kimi going to Renault early season.

If it's not the Kimi news they're not going to announce "We're not signing Raikkonen", it'll be for Heikki Kovalainens' arrival.

Turun Sanomat (Finnish Media) are apparantly reporting that he is still in the frame at this stage (and that KR has contract offers from Renault/Ferrari unsigned) but to try and get new team sponsorship it is in Renaults interest to keep rumours about "Star Driver signing" alive.

hunts, have you heard anything of the latest Flavio rumour:
Red Bull get sweet Renault engines next season plus Mark Webber and Heikki!! Newey will be pleased. He was moderately successful with them in the past!

Mr M0by · 04-07-2006, 21:11

A couple of photo's from the North American GPs.

http://www.f1total.com/bilder/zoom.p...9can&d=4&b=022

http://www.xpb.cc/thumbnails/2006/f1...Q4AQ9S_450.jpg

http://images.dppi.net/zimagettes/Fo.../guest_600.jpg

All quite friendly stuff. The first is of Michael thanking Kimi for moving aside in Canada.

MaxNutter · 04-07-2006, 21:19

so Schuey is racing for another year then ...

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 21:20

Word is Heikki Kovalainens in a torra rossa with renault engine next season.Not sure how true but thats what we heard.
Can't see Flavio walking away yet especially as Renault have said they have an open cheque book until 2012.
Fisi will not be there after 2007,he's only signed a year extension.
Webber could still fill the empty seat at Renault i suppose.

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxNutter

so Schuey is racing for another year then ...

We heard he signed 2 more years and that was a few months ago.

Guest 20396 · 04-07-2006, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr M0by

A couple of photo's from the North American GPs.

http://www.f1total.com/bilder/zoom.p...9can&d=4&b=022

http://www.xpb.cc/thumbnails/2006/f1...Q4AQ9S_450.jpg

http://images.dppi.net/zimagettes/Fo.../guest_600.jpg

All quite friendly stuff. The first is of Michael thanking Kimi for moving aside in Canada.

Im sure if you search hard enough you could find kimi chatting to Flavio.

MaxNutter · 04-07-2006, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

We heard he signed 2 more years and that was a few months ago.

they were still pondering this in last month's F1 mag, but that could have gone to press before the news broke?

Kimi to Ferrari for 2009 then?

Mr M0by · 04-07-2006, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

We heard he signed 2 more years and that was a few months ago.

Again another rumour that may or may not be true but there hasn't been any official announcement yet. The rumour is he's signed / will sign for 2 years but is free to leave after the first.

Guest 29128 · 04-07-2006, 21:33

I thought Raikkonen was going to Ferrari next season.......just have to wait and see.