Raikkonen invested in Nasr’s career

[F1 Dream Team]

Apr.5 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Felipe Nasr has revealed that Kimi Raikkonen helped to fund his rise to formula one.

In the first two grands prix of his career, Brazilian rookie Nasr clashed on track with Ferrari’s Raikkonen.

But the 22-year-old has told the broadcaster Canal Latin America that he is in fact close to Finn Raikkonen.

In 2010, Nasr drove in F3 for the ‘Double R’ team, founded by Raikkonen and his manager Steve Robertson.

Robertson is now also Nasr’s manager.

Nasr said: “Kimi is one of the people who put money into my career, when my family could no longer afford it.”

Nasr had a good start to his F1 career, with his fifth place in Melbourne meaning he remains ahead of some grandee rivals like Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo.

Nonetheless, his strong backing by the sponsor Banco do Brasil means some still refer to him as a ‘pay driver’.

“What is the problem with having a sponsor on my car?” he insists. “What is the difference being supported by Red Bull and they will pay for your drive than having a (different) sponsor that wants to be with you?”

http://www.inautonews.com/raikkonen-...n-nasrs-career

[CurdaNeta]

Apr.5 (GMM/Inautonews.com) Felipe Nasr has revealed that Kimi Raikkonen helped to fund his rise to formula one.

In the first two grands prix of his career, Brazilian rookie Nasr clashed on track with Ferrari’s Raikkonen.

But the 22-year-old has told the broadcaster Canal Latin America that he is in fact close to Finn Raikkonen.

In 2010, Nasr drove in F3 for the ‘Double R’ team, founded by Raikkonen and his manager Steve Robertson.

Robertson is now also Nasr’s manager.

Nasr said: “Kimi is one of the people who put money into my career, when my family could no longer afford it.”

Nasr had a good start to his F1 career, with his fifth place in Melbourne meaning he remains ahead of some grandee rivals like Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo.

Nonetheless, his strong backing by the sponsor Banco do Brasil means some still refer to him as a ‘pay driver’.

“What is the problem with having a sponsor on my car?” he insists. “What is the difference being supported by Red Bull and they will pay for your drive than having a (different) sponsor that wants to be with you?”

http://www.inautonews.com/raikkonen-...n-nasrs-career

Tell that to Maldonado...

[ManFromMilan]

I wonder if Kimi wants his money back?

[Winter]

I wonder if Kimi wants his money back?

Nasr seems to be a decent driver despite his unfortunate oopsies with Kimi.

[wickedf1]

Very nice of Kimi to support Nsar. I think it is a good investment because he appears to be a pretty good driver, just many rookie mistakes so far and most with Kimi! But otherwies he is okay.

[abbottcostello]

But the 22-year-old has told the broadcaster Canal Latin America that he is in fact close to Finn Raikkonen.

Yes Felipe, it's OK to be close WITH Kimi, just don't be close TO Kimi on track... Please!!

[fmatiasii]

Yes Felipe, it's OK to be close WITH Kimi, just don't be close TO Kimi on track... Please!!

[fratelliferrari]

Yes Felipe, it's OK to be close WITH Kimi, just don't be close TO Kimi on track... Please!!

[racingbradley]

Who would have thought that the Iceman has a soft centre----interesting that he's not backed a fellow Finn but a red hot Latin-----hopefully a future Ferrari driver.

[abbottcostello]

Who would have thought that the Iceman has a soft centre----interesting that he's not backed a fellow Finn but a red hot Latin-----hopefully a future Ferrari driver.

Wish there was more written about things like this, so much goes on behind the scenes that us average fans aren't privy to!

[Stormy]

I think Nasr will turn out a fine driver. But why so much unfortunate situations like that must happen to Kimi...i don't understand.

[abbottcostello]

I think Nasr will turn out a fine driver. But why so much unfortunate situations like that must happen to Kimi...i don't understand.

Really highlights how important it is to qualify well to keep ahead of the rookies.

[GreenTree]

Yes Felipe, it's OK to be close WITH Kimi, just don't be close TO Kimi on track... Please!!

[F1 Dream Team]

http://socialsf.ferrari.com/current?cat=raikkonen

@FelipeNasr has now also said that Kimi might help him get a driver's seat at @ScuderiaFerrari when the Iceman retires from the F1.

[Hornet]

http://socialsf.ferrari.com/current?cat=raikkonen

@FelipeNasr has now also said that Kimi might help him get a driver's seat at @ScuderiaFerrari when the Iceman retires from the F1.

Would take a giant leap of faith for a top team like Ferrari to sign him up so soon, I think

[F1 Dream Team]

Would take a giant leap of faith for a top team like Ferrari to sign him up so soon, I think

Who saying it soon he got option off extension if certain results r matched so might carry on for few more yrs yet plus kimi n ham was both signed up by top team early on

[Hornet]

Who saying it soon he got option off extension if certain results r matched so might carry on for few more yrs yet plus kimi n ham was both signed up by top team early on

I never said it's impossible. I'm just saying it will take a lot of faith to invest in such a young driver, which was what McLaren did with Lewis and K Mag. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

Personally I'd rather Ferrari pick a driver based on his own merit. If he's fast enough, he don't need Kimi's help. If he needs it, then his performance isn't speaking loud enough.

[shamim179]

A bit early for Nasr to make such statements. Deliver some solid results over most of the season and then you can talk like this.

It's good to see an experienced driver helping out a junior driver in this fashion. I'm not sure many drivers do such generous acts for other drivers.

[Brembo]

I never said it's impossible. I'm just saying it will take a lot of faith to invest in such a young driver, which was what McLaren did with Lewis and K Mag. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

Personally I'd rather Ferrari pick a driver based on his own merit. If he's fast enough, he don't need Kimi's help. If he needs it, then his performance isn't speaking loud enough.

So far the boy has showed alot of merit as a rookie so far. He didn't win last race but he did great. Ferrari I'm sure is aware of his success so far in F1. He's fast enough and his performance so far is A OK. Accepting Kimi's $$ financial backing and Kimi's putting in a good word @ Ferrari later on can't hurt his future in F1. The fact that Kimi a Champion driver sees a future possibly @ Ferrari and in F1 for Felipe, who are we fans to doubt him?

[Easy Bogie]

Yes Felipe, it's OK to be close WITH Kimi, just don't be close TO Kimi on track... Please!!

Maybe he is just trying to watch and learn from his sponsor.