TriniTuner.com | Latest Event:
Moderator: 3ne2nr Mods
teems1 wrote:Button to McLaren also
All British line up.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/20 ... 7109_x.htm
Maserati wrote:teems1 wrote:Button to McLaren also
All British line up.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/20 ... 7109_x.htm
Bad move for him.
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.
Raikkonen said last month that, in the wake of being released from his Ferrari contract, his only option to remain in F1 was with McLaren - because he wanted to be guaranteed a top-line grand prix car.
However, amid increasing speculation that Jenson Button is on his way to the British team, Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson revealed on Tuesday night that discussions with McLaren had come to an end.
"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
"A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship. F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer - doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of."
AUTOSPORT understands that there were several stumbling blocks to a deal being completed with McLaren prior to the team finding out that Button was available and interested.
As well as a difference of opinion about wages, Raikkonen and McLaren were believed to not be in agreement about the number of sponsorship appearance days he should do, or about how free he was to do rallies.
With Raikkonen only interested in returning to F1 in a race-winning car, his best option for 2011 would appear to lie with Red Bull Racing - which has a theoretical vacancy for 2011 with Mark Webber currently only contracted until the end of next year.
Although it is not clear what Raikkonen will do next year, it is possible that he will focus his efforts on the World Rally Championship – while he sorts out an F1 return. Red Bull could be involved in his rally plans too.
Michael Schumacher could be set for a shock return to the Formula One cockpit behind the wheel of a Mercedes GP.
The seven-time world champion reportedly lost his position as an advisor to the Ferrari F1 team as part of a new three-year contract agreed in September, with Schumacher instead concentrating on road car development.
Schumacher loses F1 role
Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has fuelled speculation that Schumacher could drive one of his two cars, likely as a team mate to Nico Rosberg, while Schumacher's own spokesman has refused to rule out a move to Mercedes.
"I have every understanding that all the people in Formula 1 worldwide want to know who the drivers will be now," said Haug. "It's not finally decided, but I think and hope we can announce something in the course of the next couple of weeks. We will do a very good job in that respect as well I can promise you – and maybe we can create some surprises."
Fellow German Nick Heidfeld has been linked to the team as Rosberg's partner, but his capture would hardly be a "surprise". Both Haug and Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche have spoke of the need of having a German in the Mercedes team, something which never happened in its time as a McLaren shareholder.
Schumacher is widely believed to want to return to the sport having retired at the end of the 2006 season. His planned comeback in 2009 was aborted due to fitness concerns, while Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo's plans to run a third car for the German appear to be a non-starer.
Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm didn't rule out the German returning to F1, but admitted it was "unlikely" at the moment. "Although you never say never in this sport," she said.
Michael Schumacher is poised for a sensational return to Formula 1 with the new Mercedes team, according to BBC Sport pundit Eddie Jordan.
Mercedes want the seven-time champion as their lead driver after taking over title-winning Brawn, Jordan says.
"The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen," said Jordan.
Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm told BBC Sport a return was "highly unlikely - but never say never".
The plan is for Schumacher to be a stop-gap before Mercedes can prise German rising star Sebastian Vettel out of Red Bull.
BANzai Rastafarai wrote:^^^
As i've been sayn...2010 wil lbe an Epic season....i is a staunch Hamilzai fan...but from the look of things...Hamilzai better find a new gyul for 2010 we...
MG Man wrote::lol:
yuh boy may be many things, but a sampler of quality cornbread, he is NOT
he need to lime wid Flavio for ah season
Users browsing this forum: trent and 23 guests
but oh what a way to return to F1 by attempting to outpace Alonso in a Ferrari.