Boullier: I can’t see why Kimi would want to be the second driver at Ferrari
30 July, 2012
Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in the same team?
Jul.30 (GMM) Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has responded to growing rumours that his team could be set to lose Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari at the end of the 2012 season, as Maranello seek to replace under performing Felipe Massa.
After a weekend of speculation that he could be Ferrari’s best option to replace the struggling Felipe Massa, Finn Raikkonen on Sunday hinted that his spat with Luca di Montezemolo might not be too big an obstacle.
“Things probably could have gone a nicer way in the end but life goes on and you never know what happens in the future,” said the Italian team’s 2007 title winner.
Until recently, it was thought that Raikkonen was on a two-year contract with Lotus.
Team boss Boullier is quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3: “There are always a lot of rumours. We have a two-year contract with Kimi, but as in every agreement, there are always options.”
“I believe [that] Kimi is happy here,” said the Frenchman, “and I do not believe that his experience with Ferrari was the best one.”
Boullier thinks Raikkonen would be wiser to stay at Lotus in 2013.
“Being with [Romain] Grosjean is certainly easier than [being with] Alonso. I can’t see why Kimi would want to be the second driver at Ferrari when he has the chance to be the number one here.”
What the Hungaroring rumours have’proved’ is that Brazilian Massa’s position at Ferrari is definitely in doubt.
“Felipe knows very well that these are some important races for him,” boss Stefano Domenicali said after Sunday’s Hungarian Gand Prix.
As for Raikkonen, Domenicali said he has “always had the opinion” that the Finn is a “very special driver”.
Massa was asked by Brazil’s Globo if the new rumours are a worry.
“For sure the first part of the season was not very positive for me, but I feel better today than then,” he answered.
“The situation with my contract is not clear and I have nothing to say.”
McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh, meanwhile, utterly rubbished rumours that Jenson Button might be yet another name on Ferrari’s shortlist.
“Total bollocks,” was his response.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Are Raikkonen return to Ferrari reports true or rubbish?
- Hamilton: It’s just like old times, Kimi
- Ferrari in no hurry to make decision on Massa’s future
- Boullier: Our driver line-up reflects the ambition of this team
- Ferrari F1 boss Domenicali: “Kimi is fantastic”
@hillside Couldn’t agree more! That Stewy33 character is obviously living in a fantasy world. I feel sorry for him.
If Barrichello had such a bad time in the Ferrari team then why did he extend his contract with Ferrari in 2003? The truth is that Barrichello was always happy in the Ferrari team, except that one time in Austria. Ferrari gave him his first Grand Prix win and also the most competitive car for many years. And if Barrichello is now badmouthing Ferrari as that Stewy33 character claims, then Barrichello is just a bitter and ungrateful prick. But I seriously doubt that he said anything bad about Ferrari, cause he always loved being part of the Ferrari family.
the part that he’ll get some “threat” i would understand it coming from any team not just Ferrari.
but. the part that they’ll “sobotage and HOPE he get injured” so they can replace him is like a fantasy made hollywood script.lol
why would a big team like ferrari would go all through that? they’ll have to waste a very expensive car, pay medical fees, pay the insurance, pay the its driver and even a law suit?? but what if rubens didn’t get hurt anyway??lol or if he did get hurt and take at least one or two drivers with him? this scenario looks like MS in Silverstone 99 huh…lol
@ Forza Ferrari and Hillside
Rubens Barrichello reveals Ferrari threatened to end his career in 2002 Austrian GP – Formula 1 news
Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello has revealed that Ferrari threatened to end his racing career during the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.
The Brazilian driver was ahead of his teammate, Michael Schumacher in Austrian GP ten years ago and was leading the race. However, he received orders from the team on the radio which intended him to let the seven-time world champion overtake.
Even though, he expressed that it was very hard for him to allow the German driver to pass after eight fighting laps. Nevertheless, he said that he was compelled to end up behind his teammate as he received such a threat from the Scarlet team which could have put a full stop on his F1 career.
“It was eight laps of war,” he is quoted by Brazil’s Globo. “It’s very rare that I lose my temper, but I was screaming on the radio. I kept going right to the end, saying I would not let him pass. That’s when they said something about something much broader. It was not about the contract. I cannot tell you what they said, but it was a form of threat that made me think about re-thinking my life, because the great joy for me was driving.”
Why would Kimi even think of joining ferrari, i would personally never want him to join ferrari again, the team who ousted him just to bring in Fernando alonso, if they would ever want kimi and alonso to be on ferrari they would have done that three years ago.. because they cant have two best drivers in one team..
Kimi in Mclaren would be finee !!!
yeah! why would Ferrari give themselves a hard time if Rubens wouldn’t adhere their orders??
Hah, “a very special driver”. You hypocrits, better shown a bit more respect for the guy who gave you your last title after a difficult couple of years. Who knows he would have 2 or 3 by now if you hadn’t sacked him. I’m a Ferrari fan since I was 3 years old an saw my first F1 race, but I hope Kimi takes the title with Lotus (if not this year maybe the next one). Should he return to the reds, well I hope to see Kubica back with Lotus then (even if they need to sack Bouillier for that), shouldn’t Kimi return then Ferrari got to get Kubica. If Kubica cannot drive anymore then get Hulkenberg (who is way better than Di resta and Perez) before it’s too late. Personally I think Kimi has a contract with Red Bull for 2014.
@stewy33 You’re completely insane! Ferrari never said anything like that to Barrichello! You’re one very sick and twisted person. Stop making stories up in your head and go get some help and fast!
Never say never I suppose, But why fight over who’s number 1 at Ferrari when you can be number 1 at Lotus?
Been there, Done that with Ferrari. Stay and build with Lotus until Mark Webber’s seat opens up.
(My advice)
Stewy33:
That’s a load of rubbish. Santander would probably love to write their logo on Kimi’s overalls as well.
It would be fun for Kimi to take the title this year in that almighty Lotus. He already has five podiums – only alonso has more – and closing in on the leader fast.
Plus, the usual Ferrari POS development strategy where they caught up in Barcelona and lost the lead since then.
Kimi could take his 2nd title this year.
As long as Santander Bank sponsors Ferrari Alonso will be number 1. As for ignoring team orders at Ferrari a certian Rubens Barrichello was ordered to let Schumi pass him for the lead. Rubens decided he was not going to let Schumi pass him so another message came across claiming (in the ball park of) If you don’t let Schumi pass, we will sabatoge your car to crash heavily in the hopes you get injured so we can replace you with someone that will follow orders.
(After that message Rubens moved over and allowed the pass)
Why go to be Fernando’s # 2, because its not easy. As his current employer confirms staying at Lotus would be easy. We all that in racing you are only as HOT as your last race, in Hungary the IceMan was “en Fuego” So YES, Maranello is calling, they have fund$ and Kimi can beat Fernando on equal cars, believe it! But its not likely to happen, this is just going to end up on another TOP driver using Ferrari to get a better contract with their current team, that’s all.
it would be great if Kimi joins Ferrari….provided he gets a faster car there…!!! If he goes there….den i guess there will be no no.1 or no.2 driver in ferrari!!!! Both of them would do great!!!
It seems like Boullier is trying to implement some Stockholm Syndrome into Kimi. You know, the “Stay here because nobody else cares” Type of crap. Problem is Kimi doesn’t give a single care about anything that isn’t going fast and making turns. He won’t go back to Ferrari, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he went to McLaren.
Even if Kimi does go to Ferrari , no way will he evr accept the tag of number two driver, He is not the kind of guy that ferrari will say Alonso is faster than you and he will let him pass, team orders to Kimi would backfire !!!
Who makes all this up? I guess Mad Monti dreams all this up to make the team seem more important than it is.
You might as well sit me next to him for all the championship ambition that seat holds as Alonso’s wing man.
first it was Perez, then Vettel, then Webber last week. Now Kimi…come on media stfu until the season is over. Nothing matters till then anyways.
IMO.
I hope he stays with Lotus. He knows the politics within the Ferrari team.
i rather see Kimi bring the wdc to Lotus than Ferrari just like how Alonso did in 05, 06 and recently Seb with RBR. im just not a fan of big teams winning the chip every now and then
Raikkonen is comfortable at the moment so why would he move for a possible year too be a number 2 driver.
dream on
Money, Eric.