Kimi confirmed

[Greig]

This. Would Ferrari fans really appreciate Kimi FORCING himself upon the team for the 2010 season? What had happened if Kimi refused to take the money? If he insisted on driving for Ferrari in 2010? Is it really fair to blame Kimi for taking the money? I think not!

He could have refused the money and the "no F1" deal and went to another team though surely?

[Tobes]

He could have refused the money and the "no F1" deal and went to another team though surely?

Would you have done that or taken the money... honestly..?

[Ed Harley]

I don't care which genius said it.

That's the spririt, too.

[Ed Harley]

Would you have done that or taken the money... honestly..?

Small change.

[fratelliferrari]

In all honesty, can anyone here say they would refuse 32 million to stay home for 2 years and race anywhere but F1 as was the case? Ferrari asked him to go, Kimi didn't make that deal for himself, they did. Hell! I would have left smiling for 28 million.

To be honest I have the feeling Felipe would not have left the team for money! These drivers earn so much that it's not all about the money but also the emotion,proud and challenge of driving for Ferrari! But I guess Felipe's feeling of driving for The Scuderia is a bit stronger than Kimi's feeling

[Greig]

Would you have done that or taken the money... honestly..?

I would take the money, but realise it would make me look greedy and turn fans against me

[Tobes]

Small change.

Just think in the position he was in he took the only realistic option...

Can't say i'd have done it differently in his position...

[Tobes]

I would take the money, but realise it would make me look greedy and turn fans against me

Maybe at the time he had little or no intention of returning to F1, and saw his future in WRC or NASCAR so he didn't really think that was a problem...

[Suzie]

Why is it so hard to grasp that I am merely quoting what Mr Domenicali has told in an interview?

I like how you refer to everyone as 'Mr'

[Hornet]

To be honest I have the feeling Felipe would not have left the team for money! These drivers earn so much that it's not all about the money but also the emotion,proud and challenge of driving for Ferrari! But I guess Felipe's feeling of driving for The Scuderia is a bit stronger than Kimi's feeling

Exactly. We cannot compare these drivers to what we would do, because we're not the person who's already making lots of money driving in F1. Of course we would take the money, it meant a complete change of life to being a millionaire. But that's not the case for a F1 driver.

The fact that Kimi left F1 completely after that tells me that (at that time) he didn't have any motivation left in F1.

[Pekka]

All is good anyways.. It's time to move on.

Montezemolo apologised to Kimi for what happened with the contract in 2009. That was a key thing for even negotiating for the 2014 seat. Montezemolo had to apologise and he did.

http://www.suomif1.com/2013/09/mtv3-...oa-ja-sai-sen/

[Greig]

All is good anyways.. It's time to move on.

Montezemolo apologised to Kimi for what happened with the contract in 2009. That was a key thing for even negotiating for the 2014 seat. Montezemolo had to apologise and he did.

http://www.suomif1.com/2013/09/mtv3-...oa-ja-sai-sen/

Course he did

[sagi58]

Would you have done that or taken the money... honestly..?

Seems that Kimi thought "It's Ferrari or nothing!" AT THE TIME... A couple of years in Rallying showed him what he was missing, Lotus was there; but, once again, Ferrari is the siren Kimi can't resist!

[Greig]

Seems that Kimi thought "It's Ferrari or nothing!" AT THE TIME... A couple of years in Rallying showed him what he was missing, Lotus was there; but, once again, Ferrari is the siren Kimi can't resist!

Considering he said it was a relief to leave Ferrari and the politics, I am not so sure how you come to that conclusion.

[Alonsomaniac]

Course he did

Yep.

[sagi58]

Considering he said it was a relief to leave Ferrari and the politics, I am not so sure how you come to that conclusion.

Easy! Personally, I HATE politics myself!! I would rather tell someone to their face that I don't appreciate what they are doing than to "play the game"!! To each his own, eh?

[Greig]

Easy! Personally, I HATE politics myself!! I would rather tell someone to their face that I don't appreciate what they are doing than to "play the game"!! To each his own, eh?

Not about you though is it

How could it be Ferrari or nothing when it was a relief for Kimi to leave Ferrari?

[Ferrarichamp]

kimi returning to Ferrari?? I see the silly season is in full swing! those darn 'journalists' have nothing better to do than come up with implausible stories,...oh wait

[Senna4Ever]

Course he did

Said it before: tough guy he is ... he can even make Mr di Montezemolo excuse himself for his behavior... which can be declared as wonder who follows F1 since years

[sagi58]

Not about you though is it

How could it be Ferrari or nothing when it was a relief for Kimi to leave Ferrari?

You're right, it's not about me; but, YOU asked why I would think that he'd feel relief at leaving the POLITICS behind! Obviously I haven't spoken to Kimi, nor have you. Thus, the only way to answer that question is to put myself in his shoes!

[Greig]

You're right, it's not about me; but, YOU asked why I would think that he'd feel relief at leaving the POLITICS behind! Obviously I haven't spoken to Kimi, nor have you. Thus, the only way to answer that question is to put myself in his shoes!

I never asked why he would feel relief, he said he felt a relief to leave Ferrari, so not sure how it's Ferrari or nothing for him. Nevermind we were not his first choice this time round either.

[Lesky]

All is good anyways.. It's time to move on.

Montezemolo apologised to Kimi for what happened with the contract in 2009. That was a key thing for even negotiating for the 2014 seat. Montezemolo had to apologise and he did.

http://www.suomif1.com/2013/09/mtv3-...oa-ja-sai-sen/

Yeah, I already reported about that from a Maranello source yesterday. Would you mind translating the finnish article to english here on the forum? Thanks in advance! Interesting though that what people called RUBBISH yesterday seems to be accurate according to multiple sources!

Some claims about the Kimi signing from my Maranello source that provides me with Ferrari team clothing:

Ironicly Alonso himself was one of the reasons Ferrari signed Raikkonen. Ferrari had long been negotiating with Hulkenbergs agent, but when Kimis talks with Red Bull broke down, Kimis camp contacted Ferrari.

Di Montezemolo is said to be fed up with Alonsos attitude towards the team lately and by signing Kimi he "put Alonso in his place" and showed who is really in charge of Ferrari. As we all know Luca publicy rebuked Fernando some weeks ago.

Alonsos manager is said to have been contact about a Red Bull deal, but that did not plan out. Alonso is said to have been initially furious with Kimis arrival, he much wanted Massa to stay. But has since calmed down and decided to play it cool towards the media and not show his true feelings publicly.

About Raikkonens return:

Raikkonen demanded that Di Montezemolo should apologize to him for his harsh words when Kimi was "bought out" and also admit Ferrari took the wrong decision to get rid of Kimi that time. Montezemolo has done that and further more acknowledged that Ferrari has absolutely no problems whatsoever working with Kimi during his last stay at the Scuderia. Luca claims the media made up false rumours about Kimi not working well within the team.

Please note I have no idea if this is actually true, just passing on the information I have received.

[Hornet]

lol, the press have always made up stories that put Ferrari in a bad light. Just because they got Kimi's contract right, it doesn't make them reliable when you actually consider all the times they make rumors that are untrue.

Luca doesn't need to apologize to Kimi to get him back, Kimi isn't the be all and end all for Ferrari.

[Tobes]

Seems that Kimi thought "It's Ferrari or nothing!" AT THE TIME... A couple of years in Rallying showed him what he was missing, Lotus was there; but, once again, Ferrari is the siren Kimi can't resist!

I think you may be reading too much into all that, I think Kimi achieved his goal in his first season at Maranello, after that he just appeared to be less as motivated than before, maybe it was the car that was not to his individual liking and simply struggled with it, he certainly put in some good drives in '08 and '09 but not as many as we (and probably he) would've liked, when the offer of a $20m or so pay off was offered he thought it was the best answer for him at the time, a couple of years in The WRC and he returned with Lotus refreshed and remotivated, I don't believe he has any overwhelming loyalty to Ferrari, but think he wants to win again and Ferrari will give him that opportunity, he does appear to be the old Kimi again now, I was pleased he joined us in'07, and i'm pleased he's returned, and fair play to him for being bold enough to take on Fernando at Ferrari, lesser drivers wouldn't have taken on that challenge...

[Meiga]

Yeah, I already reported about that from a Maranello source yesterday. Would you mind translating the finnish article to english here on the forum? Thanks in advance! Interesting though that what people called RUBBISH yesterday seems to be accurate according to multiple sources!

Yes, that makes all sense: LdM is upset at Alonso for being nasty and humillating the team, so in order to teach him a lesson he accepts that a driver who is searching for a job because his current team cannot pay his wages humilliate him instead.

Very plausible indeed...

[Lesky]

Yes, that makes all sense: LdM is upset at Alonso for being nasty and humillating the team, so in order to teach him a lesson he accepts that a driver who is searching for a job because his current team cannot pay his wages humilliate him instead.

Very plausible indeed...

Alonso wanted to keep Massa at Ferrari, because that would mean Alonso would guaranteed get the NR 1 status and Massa and the team would do everything for him, no doubt. Understandable thats what Alonso wants.

Luca with hiring Kimi has put all that at risk, giving Kimi a chance to beat Alonso in the same car. That can easily be seen as a way of "putting Alonso in his place". It does not have to be this way, but its hardly a reach to interpret it that way. Then of course there are other sides of bringing Kimi back that are good, that has nothing to do with Alonso.

Its just amazing how people dismiss everything that could possible indicate the slightest problem with Alonso. I am not guaranteeing anything since I do not know, but its foolish to act like you know everything, when clearly you have no idea whats going on.

[Tobes]

Yes, that makes all sense: LdM is upset at Alonso for being nasty and humillating the team, so in order to teach him a lesson he accepts that a driver who is searching for a job because his current team cannot pay his wages humilliate him instead.

Very plausible indeed...

Am unsure if you're being sarcastic....

[Greig]

Alonso wanted to keep Massa at Ferrari, because that would mean Alonso would guaranteed get the NR 1 status and Massa and the team would do everything for him, no doubt. Understandable thats what Alonso wants.

Luca with hiring Kimi has put all that at risk, giving Kimi a chance to beat Alonso in the same car. That can easily be seen as a way of "putting Alonso in his place". It does not have to be this way, but its hardly a reach to interpret it that way. Then of course there are other sides of bringing Kimi back that are good, that has nothing to do with Alonso.

Its just amazing how people dismiss everything that could possible indicate the slightest problem with Alonso. I am not guaranteeing anything since I do not know, but its foolish to act like you know everything, when clearly you have no idea whats going on.

Why would Luca declare Alonso as our best ever driver (ahead of MS) then feel the need to put him in his place? What is his place Luca is putting him in? Luca also said there is no feeling that Alonso has too much control in the team. We had all this in 2007, same Kimi coming in to put MS in his place....From all the rumours it seemed to be Stefano pushing for Kimi to return and not Luca Di, it looks more like Luca Di has backed Stefano and it will be Stefano that falls if it all goes wrong.

I don't know why there always has to be devious meanings behind Kimi coming to Ferrari, both in 2007 and for 2013, not everything happens to annoy the other driver. If Luca Di really needs to put Alonso in his place then we all know he is more than capable of sacking a driver.

[Tobes]

Alonso wanted to keep Massa at Ferrari, because that would mean Alonso would guaranteed get the NR 1 status and Massa and the team would do everything for him, no doubt. Understandable thats what Alonso wants.

Luca with hiring Kimi has put all that at risk, giving Kimi a chance to beat Alonso in the same car. That can easily be seen as a way of "putting Alonso in his place". It does not have to be this way, but its hardly a reach to interpret it that way. Then of course there are other sides of bringing Kimi back that are good, that has nothing to do with Alonso.

Its just amazing how people dismiss everything that could possible indicate the slightest problem with Alonso. I am not guaranteeing anything since I do not know, but its foolish to act like you know everything, when clearly you have no idea whats going on.

I'm not dismissing anything you say, but is it possible that having won nothing for quite a few years that LdM just thought the Fernando / Kimi partnership was the strongest hence the best for Ferrari...?
Also, I heard (or read) somewhere that LdM wasn't too keen on Kimi returning, he was happy to continue with Felipe but the Agnelli family wanted it and it was them that pushed for Kimi, that may explain why LdM made his apology, if indeed that turns out to be the case...

[Meiga]

Am unsure if you're being sarcastic....

Yes, Tobes, I am.