McLaren will retain its engine supply deal with Mercedes-Benz for at
least another six years, despite the German car company’s new involvement at Brawn GP.
Mercedes-Benz ended weeks of speculation about its future F1 plans
on Monday when it announced that it was buying a controlling stake in
Brawn.
Its switch in focus to Brawn had led to speculation that it could
turn its back on McLaren entirely when its current deal ended in 2011.
However, following discussions over the last few weeks, McLaren and
Mercedes-Benz have reached agreement for an engine supply deal until at
least the end of 2015. The terms of the deal mean that there are
options for the commitment to extend beyond then too.
With Mercedes switching its main focus to Brawn GP, it has also been
announced that the McLaren Group will purchase the 40 per cent
shareholding that Daimler AG currently has in the team. This will take
place in a phased process to be completed before 2011.
Ron Dennis Hails New Agreement
McLaren Group boss Ron Dennis believes that his company’s Formula 1
team will come out of its revised partnership with Mercedes-Benz a
stronger force thanks to its increased independence.
Mercedes-Benz announced on Monday that it was to focus its efforts
on Brawn GP , and bring an end to what had been an exclusive tie-up
with McLaren.
Although those plans mean McLaren will not enjoy the financial
support from Mercedes-Benz it has had in the past, Dennis believes that
the benefits of being free to run its own car company, McLaren
Automotive, will actually be a help to its F1 efforts.
His stance comes after a deal was struck with Mercedes-Benz to
confirm the German car maker will supply engines until the end of 2015
at the earliest – with options available to keep the partnership going
beyond then.
McLaren will also continue to run in the silver and red colours that
have been a hallmark of its tie-up with both Mercedes-Benz and title
sponsor Vodafone.
"This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler," said
Dennis, who is chairman of McLaren Automotive and a founding
shareholder in the McLaren Group.
"I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and
thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than
merely a team.
"That being the case, in order to develop and sustain the revenue
streams required to compete and win grands prix and world
championships, companies that run Formula 1 teams must broaden the
scope of their commercial activities.
"Nonetheless, all of our partners will of course continue to play a
crucial role in our Formula 1 programme. For that reason, and because
the engines they produce are very competitive, we’re delighted that
Mercedes-Benz has committed to continue not only as an engine supplier
but also as a partner of ours until 2015 – and perhaps thereafter."
McLaren plans to buy back the 40 percent stake in the company that
Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler has had in the team, which will
further strengthen McLaren’s independence.
Dennis added: "The next few years will be a very exciting time for
McLaren, during which period we intend to become an ever-stronger
technological and economic force. Formula 1 will always be a core
activity, for sound business reasons as well as for historical sporting
reasons: to be clear, our Formula 1 business has traditionally enjoyed
great financial security, largely as a consequence of the longevity of
our contracts with our partners, many of which have exceeded 15 years
of continuous involvement with McLaren. Indeed, two of our partners
have been with us for more than 25 years.
"We’re risk-averse by design. Over the past two years we’ve analysed
in great detail the challenge of entering the high-performance
production sports car market. In the MP4-12C, which will be introduced
to market in 2011, we have a car that has inherited the genes of the
iconic McLaren F1 of 1994 and has already been the subject of much
global media acclaim.
"It is proposed that it will be produced in a new state-of-the-art
production facility adjacent to the existing award-winning McLaren
Technology Centre at Woking."
Today’s news are worthy of attention on KRS because it is quite clear the reason in Kimi’s future announcement being delayed for so long has been because of the negotiations between McLaren and Mercedes. That said, the news come as no surprise. Previouly as a fan and supporter of McLaren during the years Kimi was at the team, I am happy to hear McLaren now hold an even more stronger and independant position. Ron Dennis’ full on commitment to the McLaren Group and road car aspect of the organisation enforces the conclusion that eventually McLaren will be providing their own engines for Formula One, as a result becoming a manufacturer team and today’s news only confirms that.
In terms of where this leaves our man Kimi, I am confident the announcement of McLaren’s second driver alongside Lewis Hamilton is imminent. It was always McLaren or nothing for Kimi. It was never about salary, it was never about taking a sabbatical. Kimi just wants to race and to win he needs the security of the environment around him and I think his future environment is secure enough now. He also needs a competitive car, a winning car. He must have a lot of faith in his old team to only want to drive for them and no one else. And we must continue to have a lot of faith in Kimi to trust his decision and his plan. The pieces are coming together, finally, and we soon will have Kimi’s full picture revealed – just like this one from 2002.
I know the waiting has been long and unbearable at times but in a sport like this, where various factors are involved, it takes time to ensure a safe and good decision is made. We’re nearly there folks! Now, I just hope I won’t look like a fool when Kimi is not going to McLaren afterall, haha.
FUCK ISRAEL 
I do hope you are right!! I am very on edge at the moment and I can’t wait for them to make the announcement. All these people visiting McClaren makes me nervous…
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Interesting Q&A with Norbert Haug and Dieter Zetsch: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80175. I’ve selected the parts about driver line-ups:——————————-Q: Could you comment on driver line-up?DZ: Not yet, we are working diligently on that topic but there is no final decision there therefore I cannot comment on it.Q: There has been a lot of speculation that the new Mercedes team may field two German drivers next season?DZ: What we would like to see would be the best drivers in the two seats. We certainly would not be opposed if one were German, but that is not a pre requisite which we would give the team.Norbert Haug: I read some speculation and I understand this because we could not give this information earlier. But this will be an international team for Mercedes-Benz is a global player. If you look back in our history we have very often been criticised for not having a German driver, so we were always open and we took the driver decision always together with McLaren. This will be the same in the future. We want to have the best ones and we definitely do not want to have the pure German team – it’s an international Silver Arrows team and we want to have the best drivers in the car.Q: It seems to be general knowledge that Nico Rosberg has already been hired and that because you’ve hired him you might be running scared of taking on Jenson Button?DZ: First of all, we have just announced that we will acquire a share in the Brawn team so we haven’t done anything so far. Whatever could have been done would have been done by Ross Brawn, so with that I would like to leave the speculation of drivers.Q Would you not want to have Jenson Button in the team next year?NH: We are in negotiations but all the accurate information is around and we are talking. That’s why we are not able to announcement driver line-up. We cannot comment on the drivers.Norbert, when will you be able to name your drivers?NH: I would rather hope next week, but don’t kill me if it [takes] a couple of weeks longer.————————————-
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OOoHh Saima, I’ll put my trust in your comments since Kimi’s farewell newsletter gave clear indication that he wants to continue on with F1. Do you really think McLaren will be better team than the Mercedes team for Kimi ? To be honest I don’t mind where he goes as long as he’s in one of the more competitive teams to fight for his 2nd WDC in 2010. Although I’m frustrated that most websites are speculating about Button, Heidfeld and even Kubica as potential drivers for Brawn Mercedes and or McLaren while Kimi’s name seems to have gone slightly underground…In any case, I’ll keep faith with your confidence. Thanks.
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There is a general feeling of dismay and fear that Kimis retirement announcement is imminent in the Kimi community.But good ol’ Evenstar to the rescue. To bring new hope and light into the situation. Even if Kimi doesnt go to McLaren, it is a welcome voice of reason.There is still too much pointing to Kimi driving in F1 next year to abandon all hope. The way i see it – Kimi and the Robertsons have just waited for the Merc-Brawn-McLaren deal to sort itself out before making the last steps. The Robertsons have never failed before and I just cant see it happening this time either. Kimi in McLaren FTW. Rai Rai Rai! Kill Kill Kill!
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Hey Soren, ‘sup yo. Really upsetting to hear fans are thinking and panicking on Kimi retiring 😦 I know they can’t help it though. This has gone on for far too long but like I said, a lot of things are involved so it’s not a surprise. Kimi himself sounded pretty certain he’s getting ready for next season anyway, and he wants to race. Plus, I don’t think McLaren would knowingly put Kimi into retirement, especially after what Ferrari did to him.
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Thanks Saima for the articles and the optimism. 🙂 The stuff that’s coming up lately about Button + McLaren, and Heidfeld + Brawn haven’t exactly been uplifting. It would be a great shame if Kimi, the most naturally talented driver on the grid becomes a casualty because sponsors call the shots and want a driver of their nationality in the team. Well I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Keep flying Kimi!!
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now in mercedes gp they can have a german driver as said before, Nico Rosberg. probably with button because mercedes wants a world champion now that the "mclaren’s line" it’s clear.Ron Dennis had always put is trust on Kimi and I think that he can sign for mc.I think that everywhere terror was not for a Kimi retire-I particularly never thought about it, instead of all bad voices about- but for a f1 that has strange changes in a couple of time and so I hope that Kimi will sign fo mclaren and doesn’t stay out games…..
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journalists and tifosi now can finally have a real vision of things, as you said, Saima, no sabbatical year, no high salary that remains without an answer from teams, no to a demotivated Kimi.all pieces are starting to be clearer,now there’s only a thing to do:SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!keep flying, hero, keep flying Kimi!!!!!
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@suzette quote: I’m nervous too…..
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ah, for italian forums and newspapers, Kimi’s obviuosly out
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ohhh….im so nervous!i just want this over and done with!
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With all these Merc buy in….i’m very confused which guy is with whom……but all i can see is a Kimi fighting for the top spot wherever he is…Honestly i could never think kimi leaving f1…..and i was just a bit kiddish about it….but now after all the announcement…i just have to accept….and i have to face it….whatever happens now kimi u will never be replaced by any driver in formula 1 and in everyones heart…..I can’t be +ve or cant be -ve…but I hope he comes to Mclaren………..
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Hi guys! Saima,thank you on the optimism. I’m really hoping that this story about Kimi will have happy end, he deserved that!:) KEEP FLYING KIMI!!!!!
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HiIt’s so annoying! All the news talks of Button definitely going to McLaren because Heidfeld and Rosberg are wanted by Mercedes but why on earth would McLaren want to choose Button the loser over Kimi? There is hardly any mention of Kimi at all and it’s driving me mad. How can people not see that Jenson Button just had a lucky year while Kimi is always being the best!! Kimi belongs at McLaren and if he’s not in F1 next year then I don’t think I’ll watch F1 ever again :(:(:(:(:(
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I dunno Saima… I like the idea of him being a Factory Mercedes driver better :p
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Thanks Evenstar for the news. I really wish your guess is right if not I really can’t imagine how will Kimi’s fans survive… …
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cross fingers that Mclaren will sign kimi ..
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A lot of speculation¡ it drives me crazy.. most of formula 1 "respectable" sources of information are claiming that Kimi has no place in Mclaren. In my very personal point of view Mercedes is quite sure on the idea of having german drivers in the line up. So, I dont think Mercedes stake holders will change their minds in order to sign Button. Anyway.. I hold the view that Kimi future is even more uncertain.. 😦 Mercedes drivers decision this week is our hope to see Kimi flying again
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Kimi is Kimi, everywhere, so first thing for all us is to be unite in Kimi and don’t ever abandon him. this is for tifosi who now are thinking all bad about him. but WE are different! GO KIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! f1 it’s not the same without him. keep flying KIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo is convinced that the Scuderia has the strongest driving pairing as Fernando Alonso joins to partner the recovered Felipe Massa for 2010. The Italian commented on the team’s latest line-up at the Ferrari World Finals in Valencia on Sunday.
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http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/11/16/ferrari-line-up-the-best-in-f1-di-montezemolo/what a shit! fernando and felipe, ferrari family, bleah bleah bleahwhat has he said when was Kimi at his first year in ferrari????big family, best couple of driversbleah bleah bleahdisgusting
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Hey Pernilla, try to keep everything in one comment/post if you can :PSome decent news from Heikki Kulta about today’s news:Translated by Nicole———————————————–CHAMPIONS OF TIMINGTurun Sanomat 16.11 2009 20:01:06F1-column 16.11.Wen almost all other car giants seem to disappear from F1, Mercedes Benz gets in as it’s own team. If nothing else at least the timing is brilliant. The positive publicity is guaranteed and the news is on every F1-person’s lips.This is something we needed to F1 in the otherwise black November.Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and a couple of their business partners can congratulate themselves for making the greatest team-deal during financially hard times. A year ago they bought Honda F1-unit with Brackley factories for one pound and have now sold 75 % of it with for somewhat 100 million euros.Brawn will remain as team principal but unlike with McLaren, Mercedes has a lot to say when it comes to all decisions. Norbert Haug usually read about McLaren’s drivers from the newspaper. Now even he gets to say who drives and who doesn’t. The management responsibility will though stay in Brawn’s hands.McLaren tries to take everything positive out of the fact that they can have Merc’s engines up until 2015 if they want to. The fact is that for the next two years McLaren gets the German engines for free but starting from 2012 they have to pay for them just like the other client teams.One should also keep in mind the uncertainity of long F1-contracts like these. 2004 BMW confirmed that they would continue as Williams’ engine partner until 2009. That word was valid for only one year when BMW went in 2006 as it’s own team into F1 and Williams had to get their sources of power elsewhere.It is probable that McLaren won’t continue for long with Mercedes.We are still living in torment when it comes to the driver market. It’s clear that Merc wants to have Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button and exploit the number one painted on their silver arrow to the fullest.Button has been negotiating with McLaren but knows well that in order to maintain his professional pride he should never go to another team where he would be walked over by Lewis Hamilton.At Mercedes Button has the same status as Hamilton has at McLaren. He knows after a long co-operation both the team and it’s manners. Rosberg will as a newbie be put extremely hard against Button.In the final games Merc’s deal makes Kimi Räikkönen’s shares stronger when negotiating with McLaren. The tough twist will go on but the demand and supply are now more closer than ever.TS/Heikki Kulta———————————————
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Pernilla, let Ferrari be 🙂 It is normal for any team to do their best to attract media attention especially during this period of them, people are more keen to find out the driver line-up for the rest of team.I hardly read news about Ferrari, visit Ferrari forum since Kimi left the team, unless it something related to Kimi.
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oh no…button signs 3 yr dealhttp://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5699508,00.html
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nooooooooooooooo! This is not true, oh my God! I think Kimi will sign with Mercedes,i can’t image F1 without him.:(((((((
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Kimi is out of formule1 for 2010 I think, button signs a 3 year contract. It’s hard to believe…….
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Well, reading the news about Button close to signing with McLaren on BBC tv today made me slam the tv remote onto the sofa pretty loud and my cat Billy got scared.I don’t believe this. I’m so angry right now… why the hell does this have to happen to Kimi? Thanks a lot Ferrari for putting Kimi out of a job.The autosport article (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80178) is saying:"The 29-year-old Briton is understood to have emerged as a McLaren target after negotiations to bring Kimi Raikkonen back to the team stalled over pay demands."Looks like that dream I had a week ago is coming true (I dreamt I saw a headline on Autosport that Kimi and McLaren failed to come to an agreement over pay/salary). Me and my damn premonitions…Okay so it’s looking unlikey Kimi will go to McLaren, but there is Brawn left. I guess I am looking like a fool now for believing for certain Kimi will be at McLaren.
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Some more articles; another great translation from Nicole:—————————————————F1-expert Erkki Mustakari from Urheilulehti still believes that Kimi Räikkönen will be seen in McLaren next season.Eki, The Guardian told that Jenson Button would have a 3-year deal with McLaren. How do you comment the news?I don’t know what The Guardian bases it’s information on but I wouldn’t be startled by this news yet. My own understanding and belief is that Kimi is still negotiating with McLaren and I see as a more probable option that Kimi will be at McLaren and Button at Brawn next season.On what do you base that belief on?When Mercedes-Benz finally makes their flashy entrance into F1 with their own brand it’s certain that their plans won’t fall on the reigning WDC asking a million or two more. To Ross Brawn a million or two millions could have been decisive matters but now when Merc is standing behind it all, Button staying in the team won’t fall upon his demand of salary. Of course they know at Merc that Button isn’t the best F1-driver in the world but he has big marketing values attached to himself. He would firstly be a WDC and if he would drive for Merc next season then the silver arrows would be numbered 1 and 2. The numbers itself have a big symbolic value.You said that Button isn’t necessarily the best driver in the world. Doesn’t that go against hiring Button?When Nico Rosberg comes to Merc then Merc will have a splendid duo for next season. A WDC and a young promising driver who even is 100 % German to Mercedes.Could Kimi be Mercedes surprise card for next season’s 2nd driver?Of course everything in F1 is always possible but Merc buying Brawn didn’t come as any surprise to anyone – and you can be damn sure it didn’t come as a surprise for Kimi. When Kimi said that it’s either McLaren or a year off he knew for sure that Merc is buying Brawn and if he had thought that the new Brawn-Mercedes would be an option he would definitely had used other words.Why don’t you see Brawni as an option for Kimi?Simply because Kimi thinks that McLaren is the only car he can boot Ferrari in the head with. It’s absolutely certain that Kimi won’t go anymore as a pig behind the others, he is only and I repeat, only, going there to win. And for that he needs a car he believes in as much as the goat believes in his big horns.If it still would happen in this roulette that Button would go to McLaren, would it mean that….Yes. It would mean that Kimi Räikkönen would not be seen in F1 next season. An option like that is a big threath to the whole sport and I’m sure one small British gentleman named Bernie Ecclestone will do his everything so that Kimi would continue in F1. It would be devastating for the sport if this season’s WDC would be beaten over and over again in McLaren and his marketing value would vanish into thin air. I’ve been around for some time and you bump into Kimi’s face all over the world in the biggest advertising sheets but where have I bumped into Button? Only on the paddock.———————————————-And this: http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/11/17/brawn-and-button-just-sparring-ecclestone/
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Dumbest fucking move by Button – ever. I will actually be laughing when Lewis is making Button look average next year and Buttons stock plummets and he regrets his stupid decision and thinking he was better than he is. Heikki number 2. Well done.Me bitter? Nah… Not at all. Now Im gonna go out and fight some poor innocent bastard.
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I would also like to see Kimi with Mercedes GP under Ross Brawn. It is also ok if he goes to McLaren. Anywhere he goes I think he has the greatest chance to be world champion next year. Cheers!Don’t stress too much you guys.
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I completely agree with Erkki, what a shit. Kimi is invisible for all teams???? what is happend???? bernie and todt will remain silent without moving a finger for him?????????
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It will be a real shame if Kimi leaves like this. I was sure that there was some McLaren deal in place, and now this. We Kimi fans are really being put through the wringer. But I would still rather be Kimi’s fan than any other driver’s. Let’s hope for better news tomorrow guys!!
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I don’t think McLaren will hire Button, personally, and I’m not just saying that because of Kimi.
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i’m happy to hear that from u saima….but why do u think like that?
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Doesn’t seem like McLaren’s style lol *dumb answer*
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Hi to everyone!The past few days have been really hard with all the rumors i still can’t believe that all those teams will be dumb to let Kimi go.I agree with Saima don’t think Macca will choose Button over Kimi and if they do then they’re just bloody idiots…they will contribute with Ferrari in ending Kimi’s F1 career….this is a real shame to F1.The Erkki Mustakari article is amazing but i think he’s being too optimistic.JJust read something new about Kimi negotiating with Citroen to do rally while continuing his F1 career:http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/f1/2009/11/998772By the way google translator sucks :PHope we have a miracle and get some good news soon.
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hi saima and to all guys, i havent posted anything all this time…nothing special to comment on and i feel really disappointed for all that situation since the very beginning kimi was left out without a team for 2010…i would like to see him in mercedes gp rather than macca but i dont care so much as far as he found a place there too…iam so upset with todays news i just dont want to believe whats happening with macca and mercedes-brawn…have they all lost their minds?kimi cant be compared with button or heidfeld…hope tomorrow we will receive better news…hope there is still hope on the horizon and hope dies always last… keep faith all raikkos and keep flying kimi our love and support is always with u…….
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Is Button really signing 3 years contract with McLaren????? Meaning we won’t see Kimi in F1 2010 onwards??????? NOOOOOOOOOOO… … I hope we are in a nightmare & hope we will wake up soon.
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The only thing left for me to do now is…..Pray
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I still have faith in McLaren. I have supported them for so long but if they choose Button over Kimi then I won’t support them anymore. I’ve prayed for Kimi and for McLaren to do the right thing.I don’t think there is much to the claims for Button at McLaren anyway… it’s only written by the Guardian as a guess and I don’t believe they would’ve signed a contract so quickly seeing as he only visited the factory a few days ago and also McLaren never do long term contracts (apart from Lewis obvs) so I thought the 3 year deal seemed a bit wierd.Please McLaren, Please Kimi
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Damn yeah. This is all so discouraging for me who is giving his exams. Damn all those idiots who would loose the best driver in F1 in politics. !I`m understanding what Anna is trying to say here. I believe in Whitmarsh, Haug and Robertsons. They are not that stupid to let Kimi go away from F1. ( HOPE SO! )@Kiki: Google Sucks? Oh yeah. Reiterate the words again in ur mind and u`ll remember the few words related to "MSN" 🙂
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I am seriously beginning to hate f1 and it’s silly little political games. If this Button-McLaren deal is true, then it’s just a travesty…this is how Kimi goes out of F1? what a way to retire one of the greatest talents of this millenium. I hope and pray Kimi signs with McLaren, unfortunately many sources claim Vodafone have ordered them to sign Button…what a surprise, politics at play – again!Button isn’t even half the driver Kimi is, if Kimi is out of F1 next year it will show how much this sport lacks all credibility and is run as a commercial business as opposed to a real competative sport. Bravo F1….bravo! Little do they know, Kimi is one of the most marketable drivers in F1 right now, it’s actually statistically proven by Forbes that he has the greatest international appeal. Keep flying Kimi! if he leaves F1, I’ll have to reconsider my committment to the sport aswell….most probably bye bye to F1 for me.
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I think that most of behaviours in this sport society are the same of the every-day-life. Kimi is not a mask, is not a man ho talks about himself, is not a person that likes to let him be seen from a large group of people. has qualities that are SO clear, but he doesn’t like to this society.sport is becoming a real delusion for me. I’m really really disappointed and I agree completely with Sultana Rana.
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it is so sad. kimi raikkonen 2007 world champion and has no seat for next season. shame on f1.if macca choose button ınstead of kımı just because of 1 mıllıon dollar ,it shows that how they stupid are. because their driving skills are not comparable. kimi is clearly the greatest driver in f1
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Agree with every point you’ve made, Sultan.I’m currently making 2010 Kimi poster calendars and they will be on sale soon, I’m sure loads of you will still be interested! Raikkonen Forever!
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We can always count on you Evenstar to keep the Kimi fan base active despite troubled times! You can count on me buying the calender, as always with your work I’m sure it’ll be awesome 🙂
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Uh oh: http://www.ts.fi/online/urheilu/89167.html———————-AzShadow at the Official forum translated:TS has just reported that Kimi won’t drive in F1 next year. They say he might be interested in 2011 again (Red Bull is pointed out as an option) but to me it sounds more like retirement from F1. He will drive a couple of rallies and maybe Le Mans next year.Steve Robertson confirmed that they couldn’t get into agreement with McLaren so McLaren will have Hamilton & Button whereas Mercedes will have Rosberg & Heidfeld as expected.—————————Oh my God. The past two years have been a nightmare, although we’ve had some great moments – they were always short-lived. With Kimi, it’s always ""what might’ve been" and that sucks :(Seriously…I won’t blame Kimi from retiring from F1 altogther but this is just a depressing end (and I take what TS/Heikki Kulta report as the truth).
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I can’t believe it! It’s so sad to see a world champion and a fantastic driver treated in that way, shame on them (in particular Ferrari)! I’m afraid as Saima said it sounds as retirement: even though he is good, it will be very difficult for him to come back after a 1-year retirement.I still believe a agreement with Macca but who knows.
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I was hoping, like most of you, that he would fight on for a bit more because he definately has plenty left.But I respect this decision, like I said, I don’t blame him. I don’t think he’ll take a sabbatical though. Even if his fans want him to stay or come back, it’s not about us, so I think Kimi’s made the right choice in quitting F1 and respect that. The annoying thing is that it feels he was forced to quit, being put in such a compromising position. Thanks a lot Ferrari.Looking forward to whatever he does next but it won’t be the same for me, personally, I certainly won’t follow F1 anymore as much as I have with Kimi. I’ll always support him…keep flying…
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This is Nicole’s translation of the article in full:http://www.ts.fi/online/urheilu/89167.html———————————————-RÄIKKÖNEN WILL KEEP A SABBATICAL YEARTurun Sanomat 17.11 2009 22:46:23Kimi Räikkönen’s F1-career is over – at least for now. Steve Robertson confirmed to Turun Sanomat from Macau that the negotiations with McLaren had ended.–The options on F1-level next season were McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren didn’t reach a contract so therefore he will not drive in F1 next season.–Kimi is still filled with the urge to drive. A sabbatical year doesn’t mean anything in that sense. What is most important is that there is a place for Kimi where he can fight for the victories and the championship, Robertson assured.–F1 will miss Kimi. He fought with the Ferrari-car that wasn’t developed since summer in a way that only the best drivers are capable of, Robertson reminded.Next year Räikkönen will at least drive some rallies and possibly Le Mans 24 which he would be very interested in winning.Ferrari terminated Räikkönen’s contract Sep 30, 2009. Ferrari will compensate breaking the contract with a sum of money that will keep Räikkönen next season too as one of the highest paid F1-driver.Robertson says that they aren’t negotiating with other F1-teams. They will turn their eyes to other challenges. We might see Räikkönen in WRC too.——————————————————
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Cannot believe this! Absolutely devestating! Turun Sanomat is Finland’s leading national paper the source is as reliable as it gets. Can’t believe this is how things end, it’s just injustice the way he’s been treated. A lot of this is down to Massa’s situation, if he hadn’t had the crash he should have been the one to make room for Alonso. But anyway, the irony behind all this is that Alonso coming to Ferrari was also the making of commercial politics, god knows how much Santander paid Ferrari to get him there. Interesting link to Red Bull, would be pretty cool for Kimi to be alongside his best friend in F1, Vettel! But maybe this is just wishful thinking, either way knowing the speed demon that Kimi is, he’ll be racing in one form or another. My money is on future rally champion 😀 If he heads to WRC then watch out Loeb lol. There are rumours that Citroen have offered him to be Loeb’s team mate for 2010 but you can’t trust any news nowadays.I’m so sad 😦 this is devestating.
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I´m in a complete shock, It´s devastating!!!! Too bad WRC doesn´t have the TV coverage F1 has. So now no Finns in F1?? No one mentions Heikki anywhere!!
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😦 unbelievabe, but there you have it. Mediocre drivers have a team and someone of Kimi’s gifts doesn’t? I don’t know what to say really. Well all the best to Kimi in whatever he does, and maybe we’ll see him in 2011. This hasn’t quite sunk in yet but It’s a sucky thought that I’ll be looking at the grid next year and not see him. 😦
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It’s sad things have turned out this way but I believe the decision is in Kimi’s best interest. So, I won’t be attached to F1 after this but good luck to Kimi for whatever he chooses for next year. We, as fans will always be with him and wish to see him racing all out in WRC/Le Mans or whatever.
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OMG!!!! cannot believe this is happening this must be a nightmare but not a reality…I’m so shocked :OShame on u Ferrari for what u have done but also Mclaren and Mercedes how could u turn ur back on him and choose average drivers like Button and Heidfeld this is really shameful. Don’t know how they can live with the fact that they ended the career of one of the best drivers on the grid and to me the best…but come to think about it maybe that was the plan….to actually kick him out so that Alonso and Hammy have one less strong rival to beat.As much as i would love to think that Kimi will be back to F1 in 2011 and the only door to that is Red Bull, i have to unfortunately admit that i agree with u guys that this most likely a retirement 😦 There is no way from now on that i watch Formula1…I’ve been an F1 fan since i was 8 and a Kimi fan since his Macca days but surely this sport means nothing to me no more and why should it?! when the people involved in it has treated an amazing talent like Kimi that way…how could they do that??? Do they realize how many fans and viewers they will be loosing??? Where is freakin’ money loving Bernie??? Shame on all on them…Thinking of it makes me sick.Now of course Macca will make it look like it’s Kimi’s fault coz he was demanding so much money and Ferrari and others will start giving disgusting and fake comments like how much F1 will miss Kimi and that he’s a loss to F1,blah blah blah even though they’re the ones to blame…I don’t know what to say i surely won’t be sleeping 2night this is a disaster :(Anyways hope that Kimi will be happy in whatever he does and i will try to follow him as much as possible despite the lack of coverage on Rally…P.S: Saima plz keep us up to date on Kimi next year even though he won’t be in F1…u’re our only hope i really love the forum and count on u to let us know of what Kimi will be doing.
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I promise Kiki 🙂
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Yeah. Thanks Saima for this wonderful forum. I’ll definitely check back here often. It would be nice if Kimi got a seat in WRC. 🙂 I wonder what the deal breaker was with Macca. This is such a bad start to a Wed morning. I think the news of Kimi leaving Ferrari came on a Wed too! 😦
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Kimi leave f1.what a gloomy days for us raikkos.Saima,raikkos depend on u at this site to bring all the news videos for things that kimi will do next year and onwards.I cant watch rallies LeMans on tv cause lack of coverage compared to f1.so i really mean it,to have u bring all things about kimi here.I’ve keep faith on u saima
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I already calming down & accepted the fact. Saima, count on me. Yours space will continue be my favorite website provided there is updates for Kimi even he left F1 🙂 🙂 Keep up the good work & we should cheer it other up in this tough time.
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Thank you Saima for great forum. Like all people here, I will always read Kimi news from here- whereever he drives!I am new here, but I hope I got the chance to buy new Kimi calendar from here. Saima keep up good work.
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