Kimi back in a Sauber for two Grands Prix?
Raikkonen could race a Sauber in Austin, according to Mika Salo: "Let's see if Kimi is in Austin." The Finn believes his fellow countryman might be behind the wheel of a Sauber!
Nov.7 (GMM) The big question ahead of next weekend's US Grand Prix in Austin is the whereabouts of Kimi Raikkonen.
That is the claim of former Formula One driver turned pundit Mika Salo.
Lotus claimed after Abu Dhabi that its pay dispute with Finn Raikkonen is now over, and that he will contentedly drive the black and gold car in Texas and Brazil before switching to Ferrari for 2014.
"Let's see if Kimi is in Austin," he told the broadcaster MTV3, "and in what car.
"It's probably the most anticipated thing about the whole American Grand Prix weekend. There have been rumours Kimi will drive a Sauber instead of a Lotus," said Salo.
The Raikkonen-to-Sauber rumour is new, but it would seem to tie in with reports Nico Hulkenberg, the Swiss team's current driver, is Lotus' preferred option to replace Raikkonen in 2014.
Sauber, meanwhile, is powered by engines supplied by Raikkonen's new employer, Ferrari.
"For now it's just a rumour," Salo admitted.
"Kimi loves to drive, but the atmosphere at Lotus is no longer good for him. Sauber is also short of money and has not paid for Nico Hulkenberg," he added.
Whatever is powering Raikkonen in Austin, Salo is sure the 2007 world champion will drive flat out.
"If Kimi is in Austin, he will definitely be on it," he said.
"With our Finnish mentality, no matter what is going on it doesn't affect our performance. We sit in the car and drive it as hard as we can."
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
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Lewis Hamilton hands Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur strongest show of support yet
Guenther Steiner jokes Christian Horner Ferrari talk is good book publicity
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
F1 Bahrain GP long runs: Max Verstappen the favourite in Malaysia?
WRC Sardinia: Adrien Fourmaux heads Hyundai 1-2 after puncture-filled morning
George Russell: "Off the pace" Mercedes F1 car needs tweaking at Sepang
Why Takaaki Nakagami's injury is a bigger problem for Honda than it seems
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
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