Whitmarsh: Raikkonen one of fastest men on planet
Source: motorsport.com
Martin Whitmarsh, a former boss of the famous Finn some years ago, has admitted he has been impressed by Kimi Raikkonen in 2012.
The pair worked together between 2002 and 2006, when the now 32-year-old won nine grands prix for McLaren.
Raikkonen switched to Ferrari in 2007, winning nine more races and the title, but after 2009 he quit formula one to go rallying and Nascar racing.
He has returned to F1 with Lotus this year, and despite not yet adding to his tally of career wins, the ‘Iceman’ is tipped as a dark horse for the 2012 championship.
When asked about Raikkonen, McLaren team boss Whitmarsh told Brazil’s Totalrace: “He is very talented.
“I think he is one of the fastest men on the planet,” he added.
“People tend to underestimate Kimi, because of how little he talks. But he is a very intelligent and impressive driver.
“The Lotus is a good car and so, put together, they’re a real threat,” said Whitmarsh.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed that Kimi does not make many mistakes; he always does a good job.
“So I’m not surprised and I think he has the ability to improve even more throughout the season,” he added.
He’s absolutely the fastest man ever to appear in the solar system,,he’s amazing
August 7, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Kimi is so damn good, so damn accurate, so damn brave. And so damn fast!
Why then is he not winning?
August 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Iceman is not only the fastest but a very smart and gently F1 driver since he finished ALL the races so far this year
August 7, 2012 at 4:32 pm
” and we are thinking to sign kimi to drive with us at mclaren for the next season” thts wht whitmarsh actually meant. Lol
August 7, 2012 at 4:34 pm
i hope he return to McLaren
what a team would it be as kimi and lewis
wooooooow amazing
the best team mates ever
August 7, 2012 at 6:48 pm
I do agree with that but Macca should have Michelin tyres ,Kimi was blistering fast with them
August 7, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Kimi is blistering fast without Michelins. Its strategy that’s costing him dearly
August 10, 2012 at 7:52 am
maclaren isn’t a good team and not suit kimi’s state ever
in easy word kimi is so high and mac is so down for him to take
August 9, 2012 at 5:11 am
Rossi returns to Yamaha for next season. If Kimi goes back to McLaren, I’ll be in heaven. Lotus is good this season but their form is fluctuating a lot from one season to another, while McLaren are rarely having any season without a win.
August 10, 2012 at 10:51 am
With McLarens focus on drivers sponsorship rights and how wealthy Kimi is, I can’t see Kimi going there and doing all the PR including cartoons and various Hilton promotions. McLaren will have to be very desperate if they will try to sign Kimi – because at this point in his career he is the one calling the shots how much media he wants to do.
Personally I think Red Bull is dreaming of getting him, cause Kimi is Red Bull brand.
August 12, 2012 at 2:15 am