There are reports today that Kimi Raikkonen has been signed by Mercedes-Benz as partner to Nico Rosberg. The stories come from a local journalist. It should be pointed out that yesterday the same journalist reported that Raikkonen was close to signing a contract with Citroen in the World Rally Championship season in 2010…
It seems that in these days of “cut-and-paste” in-depth reporting, all that is needed is someone to write something and it is beamed round the world in a flash.
OK, here goes… I hear Sylvester Stallone has signed to drive for USF1. He’s American. He once played an experienced race car driver in a movie and that is what USF1 needs. (Incidentally, the movie which was to be about F1 ended up being called Driven. It is affectionately known in racing circles as “Drivel”.)
The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?
Awesome! As a Portuguese guy, I loved your answer…
So they wouldnt pay Button – who took no time to agree a McLaren deal – but will pay Kimi who priced himself out of contention at McLaren.
Nah, smells like nonsense
I don’t think this diminishes the news report. Robertson said Kimi is quick on his moves and maybe there was actual close negotiations with Citroen before Mercedes became a choice to consider.
Wow Joe, a lot of good stuff today… thanks.
I think the Kimi train has left the station.
Correct me if I am wrong, but would Kimi earn more money by just sitting out and collecting Ferrari paychecks for the remainder of his 2010 contract? There is no way that Mercedes or anyone else on the grid outside of McLaren could match that contract. So that means if he wants to drive in F1, he is losing money. Right?
Joe, I’m a long time follower of sidepodcast, “An Aside with Joe” huge fan, and brazilian.
I have some brazilian journalists that I trust, and this one is not between them. He does the commenting of Free practice sessions on Globo’s cable tv (off tube, of course), and he is clueless. As you’ve made clear, I would take this with a huge pintch of salt.
By the way, several brazilian journalists have linked to your blog lately, and They are among those that I trust more and you probably know them: Flavio Gomes, Fabio Seixas and Luis Fernando Ramos – Ico.
Why is “same source reported Raikkonen is close to signing with Citroen” evidence that the story is “Drivel”? It’s been known for a while that Citroen are interested in Raikkonen driving for them and now, since Button shut down Raikkonen’s chances of a Mclaren drive, it’s safe to assume he’d be looking to WRC (as his manager pointed out)… It’s also safe to assume that there is now (again, after Button’s signing today) a free seat at Merc GP.
There’s not much in your post to diminish the credibility of the Raikkonen-Merc GP source.
Is there a smiley electronic symbol thing for a yawn?
:O
Or is that a dog in the snow?
Joe, I’ve a bridge I’d like to sell you. Its located in London…
No, I think someone already bought it and moved it to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
I’ve got photographic confirmation that kimi will not be going to mercedes
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh164/mm21_bucket/kimiraikkonensgravesmall.jpg
age shall not wither kimi’s f1 career
Norbert prefers cars with Fin(n)s.
Joe, thank you for a great day of getting nothing done at work.
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Ask a simple question and you get a simple answer.
Kimi’s better.
If true, then the Brits are the evil nationalistic bunch and the Germans are the fun loving, all inclusive bunch.
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Maybe Brawn realises that Kimi has talent, and that Button does not?
Yes, my sources also tell me that Mercedes has signed Kimi. He is going to be doing boat races in the CL class which is actually a boat disguised as a car.
Because Kimi is worth more than Button?
Why ? Because Jenson is British, simple !!!
I second f1mikey’s observation that I should be working but it is so damn difficult when Joe keeps up this pace… but hey, I am not complaining – it has been enlightening and entertaining!
Thanks Joe!
To be fair, the Brazilian guys broke the story on Crashgate and were also right on the money about Rubens signing for Williams months ago . . .
Petersblurb,
They did, but it was not this guy…
Because Kimi is so much better than Button.
[...] Brazilians report Kimi-Mercedes deal « Joe Saward’s Grand Prix Blog. [...]
1- Norbert Haug and Jurgen think Jenson isn’t woth a penny and Kimi is worth a million.
2- You are another one who does not believe the press just because it’s not from the normal sources. You perhaps should think that there might be some people from another “underdeveloped countries” that can have some better info than you do.
Rodrigo,
Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I work with Brazilians all the time. I have even worked for Globo on occasion and I value some Brazilian sources very highly so don’t lecture me about what you call “underdeveloped countries”. That is your hang-up, not mine.
According to the Nick Fry Q & A from autosport.com, money wasn’t the problem in the end with Jenson. He sounds outright disillusioned, probably because he knows the numbers. They just now had to learn that Jenson only signed for McLaren because he really wanted to be part of that team more than wanting to stay at Brawn / Mercedes GP / “The Silver Arrows Team”.
So for me the question regarding this Kimi rumour isn’t “why would they have the money for Kimi but not for Jenson”, but rather “why should Kimi have suddenly changed his mind about which team can give him a good enough chance by building a car with which he can fight for the WDC in 2010?”
Maybe Norbert Haug gave Kimi a call and told him what most people think: come on, you’re just too brilliant not to stay in F1, we’ll arrange everything you require (almost no sponsor days etc.) just as long as you race for Mercedes-Benz … it’ll be really laid-back compared to McLaren some years ago, there’s no Ron around anymore, not even just as CEO or shareholder of some holding company or other connected to this F1 team, nothing … so in essence Mercedes GP will be as successful as McLaren-Mercedes, just without the sterile and pedantic bit.
I fail to see why this wouldn’t attract Kimi’s attention.
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
well, both Nick Fry and Martin Whitmarsh said that Button’s move was not motivated by money (we may or may not believe that) but still, if Kimi was too expensive for McLaren how would he become in a matter of a day affordable for Brawn even in its new Mercedes guise …
imo the answer to your question is Kimi is a better driver than Jenson.
Formally-issued statements in F1 such as “Kimi is out for 2010″ seem to come right before the exact opposite happening. (“Toyota looking for drivers” being only the most recent.) Another fun day of chess moves and big announcements today.
Someone else said in a comments section somewhere, this was Brawn’s ploy to drop Button without making him (Brawn) look bad… tell him “we only have 4 mill GBP”, and when he walks away, sign Kimi for whatever money he wants.
Come on, Kimi is bleeping KIMI!
But then Kimi did say a few days ago, “It’s McLaren or nothing.”. Or was this before Brawn turned to MercGP? Perhaps that has changed his mind. Or the idea of a Hakkinen-like sabbatical (i.e. retirement) didn’t really appeal to him after all.
As to why Brawn would want to drop Button, it would make sense, considering how much he was moaning, and Button is no Schumacher.
Was it a safe bet that he’d get either Kimi or Button? Looks like it was; if Kimi had signed with McLaren he could keep Button, or rather Button would stay because he’s got nowhere better to go. Now that Button’s signed with McLaren, Kimi surely wasn’t planning, and isn’t going to the back of the grid.
There was a comment earlier in the day regarding how much sleep you must (not) get, but I am confident that I write on behalf of all of your readers when I thank you for your dedication to the task of keeping us informed, or at least as much as you can, given the sources.
It makes absolutely no sense at all that based on the statements of all of the players involved that this would be true.
We can start with Kimi’s statements that he will only drive for a team that would provide him with a shot at a championship. The 2009 Brawn was a great double diffuser car until everyone else caught up and they switched their focus onto the 2010 car. Without the Honda budget and a rules loophole, a repeat is doubtful. Then again, only a fool would bet against Brawn. Either way, Kimi said he was only interested in McLaren, unless I read that one wrong.
Brawn seems to have made it clear that they were offering Button the cake and he could find his own icing. How they could suddenly find the money to top up Kimi’s Santander deficit (if he drove F1 and not rally) would be hard to explain, especially to the Daimler board, especially given the recent comments by them.
Also, why on earth would Kimi want to drive for Mercedes when a strong argument could be made that they-not McLaren-cost him at least one Championship?
Either way it’s a pretty numb way to start off a Mercedes return to F1.
I love the tone of the post, and feel that USF1 announcing Sly would be as realistic as any of the names associated with them or mentioned in the last few months. Your post earlier regarding usf1 provided some of the most realistic driver options
Thanks for your work, and sharing your thoughts
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Because Kimi is 100 times more talented than Button
I like the USF1 comment- SLy must be over 60 and still driving around out there. AT this point Scumi can come back and drive into his 80s……;)
Seriously, I will be disappointed if Mercedes took Kimi over Nick. Kimi has been nothing but a waste of talent this season- at least give the drive to someone who is both motivated and consistent, not to mention much cheaper.
Dan Brunell, Kimi would probably lose money short term, but in the long run it still could be smart to continue in F1 in 2010, moneywise.
If he takes a year off, it’s 50-50 will he ever return.
Schumacher is 10 years older, and still he seems to regret retiring… Kimi is still young and could potentially drive for many years (and make lots of $$$ while doing it).
I still want to see Bruce Willis play Murray Walker in the Michael Schumacher biopic. Your comment on Stallone made me remember it!
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Because he rates Kimi higher? Or is that impossible?
Joe, answer to your question: Kimi is worth it.
By the way, Kimi’s management stated in Autosport that Kimi is willing to consider Merc’s offer. So we’ll see, after all…
Well.. Jenson is not a top class driver, that’s why Brawn didn’t pay him too much.
And it’s not all about money, Jenson was looking for money – Kimi is looking for a team that could offer him a possibility to win champioship.
I heard a good one today too … “German racing driver legend Michael Schumacher is rumoured to be in line to race for Mercedes GP in 2010″.
Hahaha
Carlos Orue
This is exactly what I expected after McLaren hired Button. Kimi was never a McLaren guy in the same way like Hamilton. Kimi was Haug’s idea in the first place when he went to Mcl after Sauber. Why R. Brawn would hire Kimi if not Button – we should merely ask where is the money coming from.
Funny! That movie you are talking (Driven) was directed by a Finn (Renny Harlin). So maybe Kimi will drive with USF1?
Well, Steve Robertson has admitted that its possible that Kimi may drive with Mercedes if and only if they can offer a winning car! We will see.
Ah yes, Drivel. What a crap-tastic car movie! Seriously bad, even after they were given complete access by CART and filmed at the races!
I used to think it was the worst ever racing movie, but last year I managed to see the French film ’24 Hours’, which is a live-action version of the Michel Vaillante comic books. It was so unbelievable and so stupid in it’s plot that I went from laughing to angry shouting at the Television by the time the race footage came on.
Avoid both like the plague and enjoy the marvels of ‘Le Mans’ with McQueen or ‘Grand Prix’ with James Garner instead!
Or, if you can find a copy, ‘Truth in 24′ is an excellent documentary too…
Steve Robertson said on Thursday
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80215
comments Joe? would be nice to see KR in a Silver Arrows.
build
Let us see what happens… I am not sure that I care one way or another. Part of the job of being a racing driver is to present well. If you choose not to do that, then you have to be VERY good to get away with it. Kimi is good, but Felipe Massa has shown that KR needs to be more than he is. I think he is a good example of people who do not have their feet on the ground – which happens a lot in the rarified world of F1.
Well, well, well… Robertson’s comments could indeed be seen as paving the road to a contract announcement. But I am just not sure if this would be the best decision for Kimi. Ross is very accomplished but to pull another 2009 without the half year development advantage that they had last year, is tough. I still believe that the only “safe” options to win a championship in 2010 remain Mclaren, Ferrari and Adrian Newey.
I would love to be proven wrong though. And Kimi does have the image that Mercedes needs. Plus Haug just loves him – he often congratulated Kimi exuberantly after his successes with Ferrari.
Supposedly there would be performance clauses in the contract, allowing Kimi to jump to Red Bull for 2011 if the MB is too slow.
Joe,
Do you think the Jenson/Brawn situation is because Ross thinks it was “the car what won it” for Jenson? Sure, he outperformed Rubens in the first half of the year, but if Ross thinks that half the grid could have won the series in that car then of course he’s not going to pay top dollar for Jenson.
Kimi, one must therefore presume, he (or someone) rates differently …
“Kimi is good, but Felipe Massa has shown that KR needs to be more than he is. I think he is a good example of people who do not have their feet on the ground – which happens a lot in the rarified world of F1.”
What, seriously?
I think Kimi is the most down-to-earth athelete in F1 or probably in any top-level sport. He’s never blowing his own horn, never bashing others, never blaming the equipment when he makes a mistake. And he hasn’t changed a bit through all his career.
Kimi not siging for McLaren or not being interested in smaller teams has nothing to do with him overrating his own value – but Kimi knows what is his own comfort zone to race in F1 and if he can’t get that, he’ll do something else. It’s that simple.
Just my 2 penneth worth; Kimi was trying it on with Mclaren because he knew he could. That’s now slightly backfired and he realises that to keep racing in F1 he has to adjust his expectations somewhat. Mercedes seem to be the best available seat. I don’t think money is the main issue. Kimi is a racer at the end of the F1 is the pinnacle and he’d be foolish to think that taking a sabbatical is a good way to go.
I’d like to think that Merc would see Kimi as a viable option although Ross would presumably have the inside track on Kimi’s real ability.
I wait with baited breath.
Just a thought – might Mercedes be intensely relaxed about having two not-quite-top drivers in their freshman year just in case the car isn’t all that? They can always blame the drivers.
This always seemed to me to be behind Toyota’s choice of driver as well.
…Kimi was better, till his lost the joy of driving.
Yesterday on f1ultra forum user Vassago write this:
“It’s not about the strict stance Fina on track, but his approach to competing, as they English say, the “mindset”. After winning the title in 2007, forgiven next season after crashing in France and exhalation gathered up the pile until the second half of 2008, when it was Massa and Fisichella was unable to jump him. This is not the first time in F1 that a driver loses the qualities of a single title after winning the F1 and is not due to a sudden loss of talent, and just approach to operations carried out either at or profession”
If Kimi make pause probably that will by end of his carrier
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
I think Brawn offered Jenson 8 millions. Kimi would drive for 7!!!
Joe – I’m with you on KR. He doesn’t seem to have matured as a driver over his decade in F1. Here’s something I posted elsewhere (yes a busy day yesterday!) on the subject, drawing the wrath of Kimi’s legions upon me:
Hmm. I’ve never been a huge Raikkonen fan – I felt that for the money he was being paid, he should work harder, to put it simply. Like Button, he had a huge playboy rep when he started out – but Button has visibly become more serious about and committed to his racing over the last five years. Raikkonen hasn’t appeared to, and the team feedback you are reporting confirms appearances.
I don’t read tabloids so I don’t know if Kimi gave up the strip club scene after he got married, but honestly my feeling is that the only driver on the current grid who comes close to Kimi in raw talent is Lewis (Nando is more about racecraft, though he’s bloody fast too of course).
But here’s the thing I feel the Kimi fanatics skim over: Kimi has been in a top car since 2002 and has 1 title to show for it. He’s had his shot, and honestly I’d much prefer to see “Quick Nick” get a chance in a top machine than watch Kimi drift through another overpaid, underwhelming season.
- Just to clarify, I don’t expect Nick to win the championship, but I think he may end up exposing Rosberg as very over-rated.
Maybe because he wouldn’t want more Button…
I too think that Kimi is more talented than Jenson but Kimi is a pure talent without common sense, which is very important for the F-1 driver. Joe’s absolutely right – he hasn’t his feet on the ground.
But Mercedes always liked him as McLaren driver, didn’t it? It’s quite possible, that the new team is going to offer Kimi a contract…
Hey Joe, you a little disappointed it might be true? You do seem to dislike KR somewhat.
Put the pitchfork away, there are no witches to burn here.
Adam,
I am simply applying F1 logic to the situation. I don’t necessarily think like this, but I do know how others think. i want Kimi to be successful and to understand that F1 is not just about driving fast but also about being a star, and a role model. He is terrible in both those roles. The annoying thing i that I know that there is an interesting guy in there somewhere. it would do him a power of good to let the world see that.
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Desperation?
Lasse:
I think JS’s point relates to Kimi’s problem with sponsorship events…
Gosh, a lot of Raikkonen partisans out today…
I think Kimi’s been bitten in the ass, to be honest. He thought all his “Mclaren or nothing” talk sounded good as he perhaps thought more of himself than he really should have. Now the Mclaren option is gone and though he will take a sabbatical if need be, and probably be happy to if the can get some WRC time, he did not necessarily EXPECT to and now he is considering the teams he said he would not consider.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he did take a Merc drive, for less money (from them) than Mclaren were offering him, purely because he realises he still wants to race in F1 and whether it’s total 12 million or 20 million (with Ferrarimoney) or whatever insane number it really is really doesn’t matter, not now that his hand is being forced to an extent.
I tend to agree that Brazilian source seems rather strange for such a scoop. Finnish/German sources would be more believable.
Is it just me but I have the feeling that Joe doesn’t like Kimi very much and would rather see him out of F1 for good.
John,
It is just you.
Maybe Jenson was concerned that being in a German (MB) team, that if they brought in a German driver, he (Jenson) would not receive top treatment in the team?
As for Kimi at McLaren, I never understood why he would go back and why they would even have him as I have read an interview in Autosport last year with Martin Whitmarsh saying that the team pretty much knew on Thursday how he was going to do by his demeanor (sp?) when he entered the garage.
Plus he doesn’t like to do PR and for 50 million that he was paid at Ferrari, that’s kind of greedy isn’t it? Anyways, he has his world championship and a pay packet for 2010 from Ferrari, might as well go rallying. He probably only loses the Ferrari money if he signs with another F1 team (just a guess).
As for Jenson at McLaren, He and Lewis supposedly get along well, and maybe together they can help develop the car quicker. Kimi was rumoured never to be great at development, or communication if the press conferences are to be an example.
[...] must be going to USF1…[see separate story] Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)An amazing thingA Formula 1 whodunnit?The cheque [...]
Hi Joe! You said:
“Kimi is good, but Felipe Massa has shown that KR needs to be more than he is. I think he is a good example of people who do not have their feet on the ground – which happens a lot in the rarified world of F1.”
What do you mean by saying that? Are you seriously trying to say that Ferrari has treated their drivers equally under Kimis Ferrari period? After Massa accident was Kimi showing what he could do and with a car that was not competitive, but when he had team that was behind him and fully supporting. Andrea Stella who worked with both MichaelS and Kimi, said that difference beetween them was that MS had to be corrected thru shicanes via telemetry, to find the fastest way, Kimi found fastest way himself by drivin thru. Massa had Ferrari that was developed for his driving style, Kimi had to drive a car that was not well suited for his driving style, what this means in practice is an example of a same car that is not the best for everybody. Fine proof of this was flying Fisico in Spa with Force India and same Fisico hopeless in Ferrari, Kimis car for whole 2009.
“The question that I want answered is why Brawn would pay for Kimi and not for Jenson?”
Simple, because they HAVE to. Brawn assumed the Kimi deal was done and thought they could low-ball Jenson, as he would have nowhere else to go.
They were wrong.
And now need a top driver…that only leaves Kimi. Or Schumacher.
Well, i believe, we just need to stay back and see how things develop. Anything could happen and until Mercedes confirms their drivers, we can’t rule out Kimi Raikonnen driving for Ross Brawn.
With respect to the comparison between Jensen Button and Kimi, i totally agree that it was mainly the car and its aerodynamics that played the major role is Jensons triumph. Even with a backfired strategy and under developed car, kimi gave a good fight for the other drivers, which clearly identifies his quality.
Kimi might not be that media friendly, which some people might have a dislike for him, but the fact remains that he’s still one of the best drivers in f1. That’s exactly why ferrari is paying him so much for not driving in 2010. Its another story that due to their long term goals, and renault story, they went ahead with Alonso for next year. However, given a competitive car, i must say, still Kimi is a step ahead of others.
[...] Brazilians report Kimi-Mercedes deal There are reports today that Kimi Raikkonen has been signed by Mercedes-Benz as partner to Nico Rosberg. The stories [...] [...]
i think this was brawn’s conspiracy to let go button. why would they dont want pay jenson’s demand. he already sacrifies the honda payment. brawn wants kimi at the first time and they dont want leak to press which lead to bad public opinion… jenson already know it too… because hes not as fast as barichello. with kimi ? he is done…