Breaking news
Formula 1
Two candidates in frame for Raikkonen's seat
Kimi Raikkonen will not race in Texas or Sao Paulo due to back surgery.
GMM
Edited: Nov 11, 2013, 8:13 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Nov.11 (GMM) Two candidates have emerged as possible replacements for the surgery-bound Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus for the remaining two Grands Prix of the year.
If the 'Quantum' investment arrives at the Enstone based team, German driver Nico Hulkenberg is Lotus' preferred choice to succeed Raikkonen permanently for 2014.
But given Raikkonen's premature exit, does he have a chance to switch from Sauber a couple of races early?
"Not likely," Hulkenberg's manager Werner Heinz told Bild newspaper. "No one has talked with us about that."
In reality, the hot favourite is Lotus' reserve driver Davide Valsecchi, who since winning last year's GP2 title has been waiting patiently for his chance.
However, the Italian was surprised when a correspondent for the Italian magazine Autosprint phoned him on Sunday.
"I don't know anything," said Valsecchi. "I haven't heard anything from the team and I was not at the factory last week.
"Not even the people I talk to regularly at Enstone said anything," he added.
Valsecchi said he will travel to Austin, as per his existing arrangements, on Tuesday.
"If something happens, I'm ready," he insisted.
Meanwhile, as Ferrari held a farewell party for the departing Felipe Massa at Mugello at the weekend, the Brazilian warned Raikkonen to be fighting fit for his duel with Fernando Alonso next year.
"Kimi and Ferrari know each other very well already," Massa is quoted by La Repubblica.
"But he is not very familiar with Fernando, so I think he should go in the gym and get ready," he smiled.
"Fernando is a very strong driver, very strong. It will not be easy for him (Raikkonen)," added Massa.
The Auto Bild (Germany) and Italiaracing publications are reporting that Massa's deal to move to Williams next year, to replace Pastor Maldonado, is now effectively done.
It is believed the deal will include the sponsorship of the Brazilian oil company Petrobras.
But Massa insisted: "I will go on as a driver, not to plug the holes in someone's balance sheet."
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 Felipe Massa’s farewell: A day to remember a life in Ferrari Red - video
Next article Alonso 'waiting' on fitness for Austin Grand Prix
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Felipe Massa
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Formula 1
Formula 1
Defendant ordered to pay £250,000 legal fees in Felipe Massa F1 title case
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Felipe Massa’s F1 2008 lawsuit will proceed to trial
More from
Ferrari
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
5 h
Who slept worst last night: Frederic Vasseur
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
10 h
Fred Vasseur reacts to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc clash: “It’s a matter of respect”
Latest news
Kimi Antonelli reveals why he won’t take number 1 for the 2027 F1 season
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
26 min
Kimi Antonelli reveals why he won’t take number 1 for the 2027 F1 season
Who slept best last night: Kimi Antonelli
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Who slept best last night: Kimi Antonelli
FIA reveals revised Junior WRC for 2027
WRC
WRC WRC 1 h
FIA reveals revised Junior WRC for 2027
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