Kimi Raikkonen will return to Ferrari next season, five years after he was dropped by the team.
Ferrari confirmed the news on Wednesday, the day after Felipe Massa announced his eight-year tenure at at the team was coming to an end.
Raikkonen has signed a two-year deal to drive for the team who he last raced for between 2007 and 2009. A statement from from Ferrari confirmed he will “join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons”.
“I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years,” said Raikkonen. “I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years, first and foremost, winning the world championship title in 2007, which was really unforgettable.”
“I can’t wait to be driving a prancing horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves.”
Ferrari scored their last championship success with the Raikkonen-Massa partnership in 2008 and Raikkonen is the team’s most recent drivers’ champion. He will partner Fernando Alonso, the driver who replaced him in 2010.
Raikkonen and Alonso were championship rivals in 2005 while racing for McLaren and Renault respectively. They won seven races each that year but Alonso won the title with two rounds to spare.
It brings an end Raikkonen’s association with Lotus, with which he returned to Formula One last year following a two-year absence from the sport in the wake of his departure from Ferrari.
Alonso said: “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion: together, starting next year, we will have to tackle a very demanding technical and racing challenge.”
“I want to thank Felipe for all the support he has given me and the team during this journey we have made together over all these years,” he added.
“Come the end of the season, it will not be easy to say goodbye to a team-mate like him. He has always been truly professional and loyal to the team and I am sure that right to the end, he will do his utmost for the Scuderia that he loves so much.”
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali added: “I am pleased to welcome Kimi back to the Scuderia, the team with which he won his world championship title.”
“I sense he is very happy to be returning to Maranello and very determined to tackle the work that awaits him in the best way possible.”
Domenicali also added his thanks to Massa for his eight years of service as one of the team’s racing drivers: “I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years.”
“Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level.”
“He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future. Now we must concentrate all our efforts on the remaining seven races of the season and we know that, as always, we can count on Felipe’s contribution, while we work together to reach our goals. Our determination will not waver one iota right to the very end.”
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Browse all 2014 F1 season articles
Image © GP3/LAT
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:05
Horray, at last, I am very very happy with this news.
Commendatore (@commendatore)
11th September 2013, 13:48
Yep, Ferrari will have the BEST driver line-up in 2014. By FAR! :)
Should be an interesting 2014 season provided that Ferrari provides them a competitive car…
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 13:51
@commendatore now you tell me:
Alonso + Hamilton (2007) or Alonso + Raikkonen (2014)?
Commendatore (@commendatore)
11th September 2013, 13:58
@jcost
The latter. ;)
Bleu (@bleu)
11th September 2013, 17:28
To think what it was/is before the season, Alo/Räi wins hands down. Hamilton’s real strength was revealed only during the season.
scuderia_fan85 (@scuderia_fan85)
11th September 2013, 23:42
Alonso + Raikkonen…hands down!
Henry
17th October 2013, 22:47
Easy to forget Lewis was still a rookie and scored the same points as Alonso, and so nearly won the title in his first attempt. IMO its the 2007 line up that was stronger :P
OmarR-Pepper (@)
11th September 2013, 16:59
Now I will cheer for Vettel at Red Bull and for Kimi at Ferrari. Looks like a win-win from my fan point of view, and not only for Ferrari and Red Bull fans, but for F1 fans in general because with these line-ups (and don’t forget Hamilton-Rosberg in Mercedes) next year will be HOT TO SEE!!!
TMF (@)
11th September 2013, 17:21
I’m not that optimistic for next year – imo, 1 team will get it right with the new aero package and the new engine and run away with it. only DNFs will keep the championship interesting. (though I hope I’m wrong)
Jimi (@hendrix666)
11th September 2013, 20:37
@tmf42 Let’s hope its Marussia who does!! LOL That would be kind of messed up eh?
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:06
The Hulk better get the Lotus seat now. I would much rather have had Hulk there, but it’ll be an interesting dynamic within the team with both Alonso and Raikkonen in the team. Should be Hulk though.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:09
Why does everyone keep going on about the Hulk? Really I do not see the amazingness of him bar a couple of great quallys. I certainly can not see how anyone could rate him over Kimi, except possibly for long term potential?
Red Andy (@red-andy)
11th September 2013, 13:13
If you watched him before he came to F1, you’d understand. Certainly on a par with the likes of Hamilton in terms of performance in the junior formulae. Granted, that doesn’t always translate to brilliance in F1 but from what we’ve seen so far there’s reason to be optimistic.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:18
@red-andy, yes I admit I have not really followed him before F1 so that’s probaly why I don’t get it.
But still, who isn’t relishing Alonso V Kimi next year? so exciting!!
Patrick (@paeschli)
11th September 2013, 14:00
If they have a good car :P I don’t want to see them fighting for 10th place or so …
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 16:16
@red-andy @philereid I hope it does not turn out to be that After Hulk Moves to Lotus , the Lotus Form Slumps significantly next year and the Sauber picks up pace. That was what exactly happened to Hulk on the Move from Force India to Sauber this year.
It is a possibility that we cannot rule out because of the the new found cash for Sauber from the Russian Group and a better Ferrari engine than renault.
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 16:18
Added to the fact that James Alison and Kimi Raikkonen not available to provide feedback to the car development. Lotus might be up for tough times.
Loko
11th September 2013, 23:45
Slumps with Sauber and Lotus on consecutive years could hurt Hulk´s career badly. Its quite risky to move from Sauber to Lotus now. Having second not so great year with Sauber might be less risky.. And if you guys dont like Hulk, you should watch incar of his pole lap. I have been kinda fan since then.. It wasnt luck with weather/tires.. He was pushing the car far beyond of human limits :-)
Well, Ferrari.. It will be really exacting year. I hope they have good car.
Egon (@egon)
11th September 2013, 13:15
well he was pretty fantastic in Brazil last year taking the fight to both the McLarens until he ran into Hamilton though I don’t think he deserved a penalty for that.
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
11th September 2013, 14:00
@egon yes, the way he ran into Hamilton who was leading his last race for Mclaren from pole was pretty fantastic. He was given so much room and spun like a rookie. He wasn’t fantastic in Brazil, he was greedy and reckless.
RAMBOII
11th September 2013, 14:36
His pace was fantastic. Did you forget it was raining? It might have been his only chance to pass Hamilton en he lost it over a wet patch of track, that doesn’t make him reckless. He wanted to win, and he could still have, if the stewards didn’t give him a penalty for something that could happen to every driver.
KeeleyObsessed (@keeleyobsessed)
11th September 2013, 15:02
@andrewf1
I don’t think it matters who Hulkenburg crashed into. I buy the opinion that he was given room by Hamilton and it was unfortunate that he slid out and hit him.
Maybe he shouldn’t have got a drive-through, but he was certainly the one at fault.
I find involving emotions in arguments, particularly when they involve laws and regulations, is pretty childish. Hulkenburg drove a good race (As did Hamilton) and made a mistake. He got punished, but he shouldn’t be judged based on who he took out. He’d have got the penalty if he’d had hit the Caterham. It’s a shame, but that doesn’t make him ‘greedy and reckless’
Mads (@mads)
11th September 2013, 16:52
@andrewf1
Hamilton has previously crashed in amateur fashion. So has Alonso. So has Vettel. So has Schumacher. Even Kimi has been there.
He showed that he isn’t afraid to fight, not even when the conditions are difficult and he is up against one of the best drivers in the field.
The great drivers are never the ones, who are able to keep their nose clean.
That takes a few years to learn. As long as they accept that they made a mistake and learn from it. But if they don’t make mistakes, they can’t learn from them.
He ended up looking silly with just a few points, but he will have learnt from it and become a better racing driver.
Vettel was labeled “the crash kid” in 2010. Now look at where he is at.
matt90 (@matt90)
12th September 2013, 0:04
It was unfortunate, but he ruined somebody else’s race by his own mistake. Had the condition of that corner changed much over the previous few laps?
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:20
@zippyone It’s a combination of me wanting to see the young talent and long term potential come through, but also I wanted Hulk to get the seat because that would mean he’s safe for probably a few more years in F1, to prove himself as a championship contender. Don’t get me wrong, I love the prospect of Raikkonen v Alonso, but that would only be a relatively short-term thing, compared to what Hulkenburg would be.
V. Chris (@vasschu)
11th September 2013, 15:32
@zippyone
He did something special in every season so far in 3 different teams. Pole with Williams 2010, fought for the win with Force India 2012, and fantastic race at Monza 2013. Also his last two seasons are much much stronger than overall his teammates and all of this suggests that this boy can deliver. But to see if he really can stand next to the big guys, first we should see him in stronger car. No one from the midfield is performing better i believe. For me this is the best pilot without world title on the grid right now.
Nick.UK (@)
11th September 2013, 17:20
Even better than Rosberg? I’d certainly agree he’s the best midfield driver. But maybe Rosberg has a little more in the bag.
V. Chris (@vasschu)
12th September 2013, 8:49
@nick-uk
It’s hard to compare them yet and i’m sure they are closely matched. I won’t lie – i like Hulk more and thats why i believe he is the better driver. But do i have proof? No :)
Hotbottoms (@hotbottoms)
11th September 2013, 13:14
@philereid
I think Hülkenberg is a great driver and I hope he’ll get a top seat, if not this year then the next one. But seriously (and yes, I’m saying this as a Räikkönen supporter) Alonso-Räikkönen is an amazing line up, two world champions with curious personalities in a top team! I’m really looking forward for this.
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 13:18
@hotbottoms I completely agree. It’s not like this is bad for anyone, and I am really looking forward to the battle. The main reason I wanted Hulk there is mainly because his career is on the line. However, he could now get the Lotus drive, and then if he doesn’t, hopefully Sauber retain him, but I don’t see that happening. Not taking the Hulk could possibly be bad for Hulk, and as he’s my close second favourite driver on the grid (close to Ham above him), I’d be absolutely gutted if he was to be dropped from F1.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 13:21
@philereid Oh I did not realise his career was on the line, well I certainly would not want that, he deserves a drive next year, for sure.
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
11th September 2013, 13:30
It isn’t ‘officially’ on the line, but we know Sauber are highly unlikely to retain him because he doesn’t bring money and there are few other avenues open.
The problem is he’s had few chances to shine given circumstance.
Dragon (@dragon88)
11th September 2013, 13:18
I have to agree. I was hoping until the last moment that Hulkenberg would snatch the Ferrari drive. I thought it made much more sense. But, alas, it was not to be.
Still quite thrilled at watching Kimi and Fernando in the same car, though!
Now I’m really hoping Boullier gives young Nico a chance to prove his worth in a competitive team.
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 13:50
Yes, Ferrari should hire Hulk. But signing Kimi for two year is quite smart. 2014 is the “starting season” if he fails, it’s will be OK, but if he fails again in 2015 they will go for Hulk or another promising young driver.
Now Lotus will have an interesting duo as well. Grosjean is fairly quick, he has race management issues to iron but time will fix that, he’s better than Kimi extracting that one killer lap out the Lotus and he does shine on Sundays too, not as often as Boulier would like but I wouldn’t fire him for Massa.
zippyone (@zippyone)
11th September 2013, 14:03
@jcost Kimi will not fail! What gives you this idea? I think in 2008/9 he was just a bit bored/lazy with F1 as he had achieved his title but with his rally break has come a new fire and he seems determined to get another title. He could just do that next year or 2015.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 15:48
@philereid
Will Buxton suggested, during NBC’s Spa coverage, that Lotus may sign Maldonado next year for his badly needed sponsorship dollars. I think that with Kimi’s signing, the Hulk will be out of luck for at least another season.
PhilEReid (@philereid)
11th September 2013, 17:08
@pandaslap Which is what I’ve always been worried about, which is one of the big reasons why I wanted it to be Hulk to Ferrari.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 18:35
@pandaslap I can see Maldonado in Lotus, but I could also see Grosjean out of Lotus for failing to deliver.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 18:49
@vettel1
Hasn’t Boullier gone on record saying that he will back RoGro no matter what?
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 18:57
@pandaslap couldn’t tell you I’m afraid but I imagine that it won’t be solely his decision anyway. He’s been nowhere near as good as Räikkönen and although I do agree he may even perhaps have more natural speed, he just doesn’t have the spacial awareness or mental skill, or indeed consistency.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 21:09
@vettel1
I don’t disagree with your assessment one bit but, if Enstone had real problems with his spacial awareness, mental skill, or consistency, they could have cut him loose a long time ago.
Other than Kimi (or Alonso, if you go back far enough) RoGro is one of the fastest drivers Enstone has had in a long time – and they may be reluctant to part with him. From their point of view, if they keep RoGro and add Maldonado they get more money, have two talented drivers behind the wheel, and some continuity within the team.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 21:18
@pandaslap all very good, but they’d need somebody to bring the car home haha!
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 22:32
@vettel1
lol… they might want to save that long wheelbase chassis – they will go through a lot of them in 2014.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
11th September 2013, 22:39
@pandaslap That’d be like an arrow haha ;)
On a slightly more sincere note thought, I think I’m one of the few people who actually like Maldonado! I think the guy has serious talent, he just needs to have a firm hand to sort out his temperament!
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 16:03
Yes Lotus should Grab Hulk now .
He deserves the drive !
caci99 (@)
11th September 2013, 13:08
There we have it now. It was unbelievable a couple of months ago. I was very very lightly hopping for Hulkenberg, but…
caci99 (@)
11th September 2013, 13:13
When this article was wrote, I had the very first thought that maybe he was going back to Ferrari.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
11th September 2013, 13:09
An interesting turnaround from Ferrari given their frustration with Kimi’s attitude when things weren’t going his way in 2008-9. Hopefully they can build a car to match their world class drivers for 2014.
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
11th September 2013, 14:21
@red-andy
they should. Ferrari got Byrne, Allison, and Fry designing the next year car, with three titles between Alonso and Raikkonen. if Vettel and Newey were still beating them, well I don’t know what to say.
tmax (@tmax)
11th September 2013, 18:11
@adityafakhri oh yeah there is always the excuse that “The Wind Tunnel was not calibrated correctly”
BTW if Alonso and Kimi have very different driving style which I believe they do, then it will be a very difficult proposition to build a car that would suit both styles. Having said that I don’t think are off the mark by a great margin as they might be able to find a mutually amicable design.
Journeyer (@journeyer)
11th September 2013, 13:09
Just as big (for me) is the confirmation that Alonso will stay at Ferrari.
Hulk should be odds-on favorite now for the Lotus seat, but Adam Cooper says Massa still has a legitimate shot at the seat. One of the team’s sponsors, Richard Mille, has strong ties with Nicolas Todt, Felipe’s manager.
Dan Brown (@danbrown180)
11th September 2013, 14:03
Massa should bow out gracefully.
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 16:37
If massa swaps with Hulk . That is going to be a disappointment . Sure Massa can deliver to an extent but Hulk can take the car one notch like what Kimi has been doing so far.
kcarrey (@kcarrey)
11th September 2013, 13:09
so they decided to take the short-term route
how i wished they’ve signed hulkenberg
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:09
I think they have half an eye on Vettel for 2015/2016, so the next couple of years will see which of the oldies should make way… perhaps both?
Colossal Squid (@colossal-squid)
11th September 2013, 17:02
I don’t particularly see the problem with the drivers they’ve chosen. Sure, it would be great to get some fresh talent in the other Ferrari seat (ie. Hulkenberg) who could grow and be there for a decade.
However Alonso and Raikkonen are two clearly outstanding drivers, and this is a fantastic pairing that all F1 fans would love to see! Alonso at 32 and Raikkonen at 33 have at least five years left at the top of their game – look at how Schumacher retired at the height of his powers in 2006 when he was 37. When this pairing is done in two years, and I hope it goes longer, but even then there will still be plenty of long term options available to Ferrari.
Breno (@austus)
11th September 2013, 17:44
2015 will be Bianchi’s third season. That would be a good time to promote him to Ferrari, assuming he keeps showing talent.
TMF (@)
11th September 2013, 19:27
It gives them all the options – Hülkenberg is a great driver but probably not what they were looking for.
They will try to get Hamilton or Vettel for 2016 and complete the line-up with Bianchi or another academy driver.
BrawnGP (@brawngp)
11th September 2013, 13:09
YES!!!!!! 2014 Im thinking Vettel will probably still win drivers championship… but I think it could definatly be Ferrari constructors´title!
M Melb
11th September 2013, 13:10
There is nothing official in this article at all, no press release from Ferrari or Raikonnen, no quotes or statements, nothing. This may be about to happen but nothing in this article despite the title provides anything official at all!
Dave (@)
11th September 2013, 16:51
@InsideFerrari is making a huge amount of noise on Twitter. And yes, that’s the official Twitter account of Scuderia Ferrari.
Funkyf1 (@funkyf1)
11th September 2013, 13:10
A year after they first tried to lure him, the deal is done. It’s believed to be one plus one deal.
verstappen (@verstappen)
11th September 2013, 13:12
Now I just hope Alonso really stays. Because it’ll be an epic battle!
bsnaylor (@bsnaylor)
11th September 2013, 13:14
He is, it’s also been confirmed.
WarfieldF1 (@warfieldf1)
11th September 2013, 13:41
I havent seen anything about Alonso; where has it been confirmed he is staying?
Shreyas Mohanty (@)
11th September 2013, 13:47
Read the article.
DaveF1 (@davef1)
11th September 2013, 14:15
@warfieldf1
The fact he’s welcomed Kimi as his new team mate might be a slight hint ;-)
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 14:59
Or the fact that he has a contract until 2015 or 2016… I don’t see LDM letting Alonso go so easily, unless of course Santander ponies up, say, 20m :p
Neiana (@neiana)
11th September 2013, 17:25
@davef1 read the article again, he didn’t welcome Kimi as his new teammate. “I’d like to welcome my new travelling companion…” :D
bsnaylor (@bsnaylor)
11th September 2013, 13:12
Fireworks ahead! :)
S2G-Unit (@s2g-unit)
11th September 2013, 13:13
Amazing! Go Kimi!
This is going to be fun to watch!
Hulk deserves a better drive, hopefully he goes to Lotus & they produce a decent car
Shreyas Mohanty (@)
11th September 2013, 13:13
Hooray! My two favourite drivers in my favourite team! Looking forward to the battles. And yeah, guys, Alonso isn’t gonna chicken out – time to prove people wrong ALO!
Todfod (@todfod)
11th September 2013, 17:51
My top 2 drivers as well.
The Adrian Newey dominance got me really tired of F1, and Red Bull’s fear of putting a competitive teammate against Vettel really spoiled the 2014 season for me.
Luckily its Ferrari to the rescue. Its great to finally see a team put two tier 1 drivers as teammates.
Ronald Cimafranca (@cima)
11th September 2013, 13:14
Well, I hope Ferrari have still kept the refrigerator to keep Kimi’s ice cream bars cool.
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:17
I also hope Ferrari can resist the temptation to hire Lotus’ hashtag wizard and keep the Kimi memes to a minimum.
Pandaslap (@pandaslap)
11th September 2013, 16:33
@npf1
+1000
Valhyre (@ausuma)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Not really a surprise.
Hope Felipe gets the lotus seat and can be sucessfull there.
JCost (@jcost)
11th September 2013, 14:02
Felipe is looking at:
Lotus, Sauber, Williams and Force India. Odds don’t look good.
smokinjoe (@smokinjoe)
11th September 2013, 14:16
It is very likely that hulk will get the lotus seat,then massa should go for the vacant sauber,2014 is a very important year because of the rule change and massa experience with ferrari will definitely help sauber in developing their car.Sauber wont be going in to next year with two rookie drivers i guess they need some one like massa as well
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:00
Maybe he should look at Marussia when Sauber pick up Bianchi.
Todfod (@todfod)
11th September 2013, 17:55
I honestly think Massa would make a good reserve driver for either Caterham or Marrussia.
I just dont think he can manage better than that right now
Guilherme (@guilherme)
11th September 2013, 21:32
@Todfod I can see you don’t have the slightest flicker of respect for Massa’s achievements, but the man himself does – he stated numerous times that he a) would not become a pay driver and b) would not drive for Caterham or Marussia
Todfod (@todfod)
12th September 2013, 6:59
@guilherme
Its not about lacking respect. I just honestly think he isn’t a good option for a lot of midfield teams.
Force India have a strong line up. Sauber needs pay drivers. Toro Rosso need young upcoming talent. Lotus have strong options already for Kimi’s replacement. Williams might be a team that could use him, but I dont know who they will replace – the money or the young talent.
That leaves us with Marrussia and Caterham… both of which need money, but could also use the experience of a driver driving for a top team.
They just seem like the most viable options for Felipe.
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Good news for F1. Ferrari needed a departure from its traditional values. Shame for Hulkenberg though…
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Egg on the face situation for Ferrari no matter what they announced.
By signing Kimi they are effectively admitting they let the wrong driver go in 2010. If they signed Hulkenberg they would be admitting that Alonso has enough sway to dictate his teammate.
Pro: End of “who is going to Ferrari?” speculation.
Con: Hulkenberg deserves the drive.
Massive con: DiResta’s PR team will get hours of plugs about “missing out” on a top drive he was never in the running for anyway.
Dion (@infinitygc)
11th September 2013, 13:28
Is it weird I read “BBC F1 Coverage” instead of “DiResta’s PR team”? Also, thanks for the small chuckle!
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 17:10
5 solid minutes of him on the bbc “exploring his Italian heritage” was tv at its most awkward. The BBC really do seem to be captivated, sadly.
Deej92 (@deej92)
11th September 2013, 18:03
I agree. It also made me cringe that di Resta’s name was even linked with Ferrari. That’s as bad as people linking Kobayashi with the Ferrari seat.
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 14:06
I’d rather see Hulk drive at Lotus and show us nice and surprising podiums, than having him come second to Fernando at all places.
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
11th September 2013, 14:47
agree on that @bascb. he can also be a slight parameter on:
– how good HE really is
– how good Grosjean really is
– is Kimi’s comeback as good as people thought?
– is Lotus a top team
(IMO)
BasCB (@bascb)
11th September 2013, 17:32
I think the first question would be answered more reliably if Hulkenberg went to Ferrari next to Alonso
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:06
:O
John H (@john-h)
11th September 2013, 14:11
Letting Massa go the season after his accident would not have been the right thing to do. I think this move by Ferrari means nothing of the sort.
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:02
Why? Plenty of other sports teams let go of their athletes if they had a major injury and return to do poorly… But it wasn’t the season after the injury, it would have been the same season, right? So in essence, he should have been released in summer/fall of 2010.
Dave (@)
11th September 2013, 16:54
He scored 5 podiums and ~60% the points of Alonso in 2010. Not poor, by any means.
hobo (@hobo)
11th September 2013, 21:53
@raceprouk – I agree, not horrible stats. And given what had happened it is understandable that Ferrari wanted to keep him. By any measure, could have been 2008 WDC (I get that he wasn’t, just saying that he drove well enough to be there), injured in 2009, not a horrible 2010. but since then it’s been bad.
For the 2010-2012 seasons, looking at the top three teams (FER, RBR, MCL) the cumulative stats for the drivers are:
MAS scored 49% of ALO pts total and 21% of the podiums.
WEB scored 73% of VET pts total and 65% of the podiums.
HAM scored 98% of BUT pts total and 88% of the podiums.
VET was certainly the standout with 929 pts and 37 podiums but of the other 4 non-MAS drivers, HAM had 657 pts and 22 podiums. MAS had 384 and 7. That is only 58% of HAM pts and 32% of his podiums. I realize this is a lot of numbers but comparing MAS, the sixth driver in this group of six, to the fifth driver HAM, MAS is still the worst in comparison.
I don’t hate Massa, by any means. (I hate that he seems to have started the “for sure” plague that has spread across F1 interviews like wildfire, but that’s neither here nor there.) I have liked him and pulled for him; and I feel a bit bad for him now. But it’s past time for him to go.
Hairs (@hairs)
11th September 2013, 23:36
Ferrari paid Kimi not to drive for a year, and his contract was up the following year. Massa, from a recovery point of view, would have been much better off with another 6 months out at least.
It would have made more sense to keep Massa as third driver, leave Kimi driving in 2010, and wait to see what was the best option for 2011.
However that assumes that Alonso hadn’t vetoed keeping Kimi, and that politically Kimi was a viable contender within the team. Team politics clearly trumped logic that time.
Julien (@jlracing)
11th September 2013, 13:16
Very good news!
I think Kimi wanted to go to Ferrari because the weather in Italy is much better then in England
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
11th September 2013, 13:17
Terrific news, glad it’s finally confirmed.
Best Ferrari driver line-up since 1990!
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:22
Easily, even though I can’t get the idea out of my head we could have had this line-up since 2010.. This announcement has only re-awakened my confusion about sending Kimi on paid leave for 2010 while retaining Massa..
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
11th September 2013, 14:06
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY :D :D :D :D :D
kimrogue (@kimrogue)
11th September 2013, 16:13
Well said. Kudos to Ferrari for finally going ahead a doing it. I’m sure they have gone up a notch (if not several) in every F1 fans book. Now we all know that this is an explosive pairing and potentially the best in the paddock. But the question is, will it back fire on their faces? One thing’s guaranteed though: Absolute entertainment for the fans.
2005, 2007 re-match – but this time in the same car – 20014, bring it on!
Nick (@npf1)
11th September 2013, 13:21
I’m glad to see Raikkonen in a better car and he’s one of my favorite drivers, so joining one of my favorite teams is good news.
I do hope this ends all the social media hype around Raikkonen, though. Very much tired of the ‘Leave me alone’ jokes, since it was utterly rude of Kimi. I doubt Ferrari will cash in on comments like that, as there are no ‘you are all idiots’ shirts being printed in Italy right now. It’s strange having my favorite 2 drivers at my favorite team, yet the three of them being of questionable decency the last couple of years..
I’ll still be smiling like a kid come the first 2014 team pictures, though.
Alley
11th September 2013, 13:25
It’s good to see Kimi in red. Epic race for 2014. Koba for Lotus!
BJ (@beejis60)
11th September 2013, 15:04
Would love to see a KOB return, but I don’t think it will be in his cards for Lotus, sadly.
SeaHorse (@seahorse)
11th September 2013, 13:28
Ah.. My prediction collapsed. But a lethal pair of drivers in the Scuderia. Forza Ferrari for breaking the no-two-roosters-in-hen-house jinx. Now I really hope Nico Hulkenberg stays in F1 next year let alone finding a top seat.
smokinjoe (@smokinjoe)
11th September 2013, 14:33
i read some where that eric boullier said there plan B is to give hulk the drive if kimi finally leave lotus.Pretty sure that we will get that confirmation soon,BTW hulk is the best amongst the rest of midfield drivers ,really wondering will massa get the drive for next year or its curtains for him
Garns (@)
11th September 2013, 13:32
Wow- there we go! I was hoping The Hulk would get the seat but equally happy to see (hopefully) a Fernando V Kimi challenge in 2014! There are talks on an Alonso shift to Lotus if this were to happen, but I really cant see it. While Alonso is quite happy to have Phillipe have his back and take some points for the team and may not want a real equal at #1 (which Kimi will be……….. on paper) if he were to now shoot off to Lotus and get the protection of the #1 status he would loose so much credibility!!
I am not saying he is stoked to have Kimi there but Alonso is a guy that oozes talent & confidence and will just take it on board and set about beeting his new team-mate. His new team-mate, however, is not a shy lad sitting in the corner is he, and expects to beat Fernando…………….. I am REALLY looking forward to this one!!!!
I would have loved to see Kimi against Seb BUT my loyalty to my country meant only Dan could take that spot!!
The Hulk must now take Kimi’s spot at Lotus I hope! Not sure where that leaves Massa though. I have a heap of respect for Phillipe and to be honest would prefer to see him go elsewhere (like Webber) rather than drive around at a lesser team like Heike did- maybe to Sauber to replace the Hulk, but they need to put a faster package on the track than this year.
As for Ferrari “back-tracking” on Kimi I disagree with that. There may be history there but it was a long time ago and the team (any team) needs to look at their best options each year.
Has anyone thought Kimi HAS changed his difficult ways (at least a bit) and will be a better fit now compared to back then?? I think he has. Time will tell- but this is good news for F1 fans :)
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
11th September 2013, 13:35