Experts doubt Raikkonen set for Ferrari return
It's hardly believed by Formula One experts that Kimi Raikkonen is going to re-join Ferrari.
Sep.7 (GMM) Well-known paddock personalities doubt feverish speculation Kimi Raikkonen is on the verge of signing to return to Ferrari next year.
It is rumoured the Finn is now poised to agree the deal, but triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart said at Monza: "I don't see how the management could be considering having Kimi in the same team as Fernando Alonso.
"For one thing, Alonso would not like it," he added.
Stewart, however, might not be speaking absolutely objectively, as he is a consultant for Lotus team owner Genii.
And Lotus is pushing hard to convince the Finn to stay.
But even former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello expresses doubts about the Alonso-Raikkonen lineup.
"It's hard to imagine Ferrari making a change like that, with continuity being so critical," said the Brazilian.
He might be referring to the radical incoming rules for 2014, but Barrichello also insisted Alonso-Raikkonen would be a change in Ferrari's long policy of having a clear 'number 1'.
Another former F1 driver, Luciano Burti, agreed in Monza: "I wouldn't bet on Kimi being at Ferrari with Alonso.
"I see everything depending on what Felipe (Massa) manages to do here and in Singapore. In Formula One, your most recent results count the most," he said.
One candidate linked recently with a possible move to Ferrari next year is Jenson Button, but it appears the Briton is fully committed to McLaren for now.
"Well, he doesn't seem very worried about his future, does he?" team boss Martin Whitmarsh told the Italiaracing publication at Monza.
"He is a great ambassador for us and a great driver. In principle both parties are in agreement and the right time will come for an official announcement," he added.
Button also ruled out moving to Ferrari.
"Ferrari will always be an option for me," the 2009 world champion is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "but there have been no serious discussions.
"So there is definitely no chance to go there this time. I believe they will continue with Fernando and Felipe.
"But I did hear an interesting rumour today," said Button. "Someone told me about Fernando going to McLaren.
"I don't know if it will happen -- he didn't exactly leave McLaren in a good way (in 2007)," he added. "But let's wait and see."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Where will Kevin Magnussen rank among the Project 91 NASCAR drivers?
Kimi Raikkonen goes viral with blunt two-word response to throwback F1 post
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
How F1 2026 has been a season of two halves for Ferrari
Ferrari and Peugeot begin work on updated hypercars for 2027 WEC
Why Charles Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing Lewis Hamilton
Analysis: BoP Setback for Cadillac, further breaks for BMW in Road America BoP
Multiple internal changes reignite winning formula for Vasser Sullivan Racing
MotoGP eyes Austin showcase during F1 GP weekend
Franco Colapinto’s ominous warning on Aston Martin’s upgraded F1 car
The shocking aspect to Kimi Antonelli's rapid F1 title-contending transformation
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen overdelivered in Hungary - and that's symbolic of their F1 2026 seasons
Where to next after the Bahraysian Grand Prix?
How Lando Norris shrugged off his first-lap error to deliver on McLaren's Hungarian GP pace
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments