Formula 1
Raikkonen to replace injured Kubica?
Kimi Raikkonen is top of Lotus Renault's list to replace the injured Robert Kubica following his crash at a rally event on Sunday morning. Despite original fears that the 26 year-old might lose his right hand following the accident in Italy, surgeons have confirmed that he is expected to make a recovery but that he is not likely to return until the end of the year. This has left Renault with few options open to it to find a suitable replacement before the season kicks off in Bahrain on March 13th. As the 2007 Formula One world champion, Raikkonen would seem to present the perfect choice in terms of previous success although he recently announced his plans for 2011 in the World Rally Championship. Last year, the Finn made his WRC debut with the Junior Citroen WRC team and now as team owner/driver - the same as Petter Solberg, and like Solberg, he has in place a contract with the French-based manufacturer to campaign the 2011 season with Citroen. ...
Published: Feb 9, 2011, 4:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Kimi Raikkonen is top of Lotus Renault's list to replace the injured Robert Kubica following his crash at a rally event on Sunday morning.
Kimi Raikkonen relaxing before Rally Finland in 2010.
Photo by Red Bull GmbH and GEPA pictures GmbH.
Despite original fears that the 26 year-old might lose his right hand following the accident in Italy, surgeons have confirmed that he is expected to make a recovery but that he is not likely to return until the end of the year. This has left Renault with few options open to it to find a suitable replacement before the season kicks off in Bahrain on March 13th.
As the 2007 Formula One world champion, Raikkonen would seem to present the perfect choice in terms of previous success although he recently announced his plans for 2011 in the World Rally Championship. Last year, the Finn made his WRC debut with the Junior Citroen WRC team and now as team owner/driver - the same as Petter Solberg, and like Solberg, he has in place a contract with the French-based manufacturer to campaign the 2011 season with Citroen.
There are however, potential stumbling blocks over a possible deal with Raikkonen. A much publicised spat with the Renault management last year following reports the Finn was negotiating a drive for 2011 and also the salary demands he is likely to command. It was rumoured in his final year with Ferrari in 2009, the ex-world champion was in receipt of little less than ?25m and while his absence from the sport will have devalued his stock slightly, the fact that his contract with Citroen may have to be bought - from their fiercest rival, that tally could possibly surpass the monumental mount he received 3 years ago.
Nick Heidfeld however, presents a safer investment option for the Enstone outfit. While unlikely to win races on a regular basis, he is a proven 'points generating' driver and the belief is that with all top line drivers unavailable for hire, if Renault's aim is to collect as many points as possible in place of the injured Kubica, Heidfeld could be given the nod.
While Bruno Senna was confirmed as the teams third and reserve driver at the recent R31 launch, it is understood that Lotus Renault team principal Eric Boullier is now in the search for a more established 'name' to fill the seat vacated by Kubica and that negotiations with Raikkonen have begun to try and buy him out of his contract for a reasonable price.
See also: Kubica's manager confirms injuries are serious
See also: Kubica hospitalized after serious crash
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pressure applied by Ricciardo 'normal' - Alguersuari
Next article Kubica moves hand as Renault seeks 'experienced driver'
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Robert Kubica
Missing out on Ferrari F1 drive felt like "bleeding" to Robert Kubica
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Missing out on Ferrari F1 drive felt like "bleeding" to Robert Kubica
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?
WEC
What would you like to ask Robert Kubica?
More from
Ferrari
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Latest news
Max Verstappen risks penalty after FP1 clash at Portimao GTWC finale
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 7 min
Max Verstappen risks penalty after FP1 clash at Portimao GTWC finale
Marc Marquez will have to perform his "juggling act" in coming MotoGP races, says Alex
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
52 min
Marc Marquez will have to perform his "juggling act" in coming MotoGP races, says Alex
F2 rebuffs suggestion its title race might be over because of the Iran war
FIA F2
F2 FIA F2 1 h
F2 rebuffs suggestion its title race might be over because of the Iran war
Feature
Discover prime content
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe