Renault’s message to Kubica from Barcelona

The Renault F1 team gathered for a team photo with a pit board wishing Robert Kubica to get well soon.

Prior to start of the second day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, the team including drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna posed for a picture in the Circuit de Catalunya pitlane.

Kubica, who was injured in a freak rally accident earlier this month, was yesterday transferred from intensive care unit to the rehabilitation department to continue his recovery.

The Renault F1 team have appointed Nick Heidfeld to replace Kubica.

Source: YallaF1

Alonso calls for calm from fans after Petrov incident

Fernando Alonso has called on his fans to respect his fellow drivers after Vitaly Petrov revealed the Spaniard's fans had defaced his official Facebook page with insults and abuse.

Alonso gesticulated wildly to Petrov after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because he felt the Renault driver had held him up as he was battling to get past and catch the leaders to keep his title hopes alive.

Petrov subsequently denounced Alonso's reaction as 'bad manners', leading to the abuse he received.

"Probably my fans didn't like some of his statements after Abu Dhabi," Alonso told Spanish radio Onda Cero. "We all have to think about what we say after a race, but I say to my fans to stay calm because we have lived together a spectacular year."

Alonso added that he was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed such a margin of superiority over team-mate Felipe Massa in 2010.

"I think there was never such a difference between myself and my team-mate. This makes me happy, given the results I have had. My level of driving I think is at its best and I hope to continue like this next year."

Source: ESPNF1

Petrov reveals Alonso fans defaced website

Vitaly Petrov has revealed that fans of Ferrari and Fernando Alonso littered his official Facebook page with insults and abuse.

"Many people cursed me, saying I had blocked Alonso," admitted the Russian driver.

Renault's Petrov played a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2010 world championship when points leader Alonso could not pass him during the Abu Dhabi finale earlier this month.

After the race, Alonso waved angrily at the 26-year-old rookie, and he now tells Germany's Bild newspaper that many of the Spaniard's supporters were similarly abusive.

But he insisted: "It's nonsense, I did nothing wrong. For 39 laps I was in front of him but no one told me on the radio that I was helping Sebastian be world champion.

"Even if he had (passed), he also had to pass Rosberg. I drove my own race and Ferrari made a tactical error," added Petrov, who dismissed Alonso's post-race gesticulations as "bad manners".

Alonso's failure to pass Petrov meant that Sebastian Vettel was able to close a big points margin to the Spaniard and secure the 2010 title.

"He deserves it," Petrov said, referring to Vettel. "The newspapers said it was a miracle, but it was his hard work."

Bild asked Petrov if the new world champion had congratulated him personally for his role in the title outcome.

"He doesn't have my phone number," answered the Russian. "But I saw that he wrote on his website to his fans that he was grateful to me."

Source: Motorsport

Alonso gestures showed 'bad education' - Petrov

Fernando Alonso's reaction to losing the 2010 world championship demonstrated his lack of education.

That is the claim of Vitaly Petrov, the driver whose Renault car proved impossible for Alonso to pass last Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

After the cars crossed the chequered flag, Spaniard Alonso pulled his Ferrari alongside Petrov and gesticulated angrily at the Russian.

"The gesturing only showed his bad education," Petrov said in an interview with Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

"I always follow the rule that if you are sad or disappointed, keep it to yourself. I did my race and he did his. This is a job and I want to do my best," he explained.

Source: Motorsport

Public torment

F1-column 5.10.

In top sport the negotiations about stars moving to another league are usually kept face to face in cabinets and they keep quiet about the meetings like they would be national secrets.

There has rarely been anything leaking out into the publicity, especially about Finnish F1-drivers' contract negotiations, before all the thick paper bundles have been signed and approved by lawyers.

The policy is that they deny until the last about contracts that are put into effect. That's how Keke Rosberg, Mika Häkkinen and now Kimi Räikkönen have done it.

I can imagine the disappointment in Räikkönen's close circle when Renault's current management started to boast in public about considering hiring Räikkönen to their F1-team next season.

Räikkönen's managers discussed with Renault's former team manager Flavio Briatore when the French team needed a big name to replace Fernando.

Back then they only whispered about the rumours behind the scenes and the persons concerned never commented their contacts in any way.

It was different now when Renault started to milk out in every turn Räikkönen's eagerness to come to the team. F1-bosses starting from Bernie Ecclestone have wished Räikkönen back and Renault also tried to take the status as the goodwill ambassador by repeating how they are thinking if they should take Räikkönen or Vitali Petrov.

But enough is enough. They will not speak in public about Räikkönen's real negotiations before the contract is closed.

TS/Heikki Kulta

Courtesy: Nicole

Eric Boullier on Renault’s revival, Räikkönen & more

Renault have been one of the surprises of 2010. From a disappointing eighth place in the 2009 standings, they have bounced back under new management and, with just four races to go, are now vying with Mercedes for P4. Team principal Eric Boullier is convinced they will beat their German rivals. He also believes that Kimi Räikkönen’s interest in a possible F1 return with Renault shows just how seriously the Formula One community is taking their renaissance, as he explained exclusively to Formula1.com…

Q: Eric, Renault lie fifth the constructors’ championship. Four races into the season - when you were also fifth - you said that fourth was the goal for the end of the season. With four races to go, can you do it?
Eric Boullier: Ah, we are close to it. Our car has improved hugely since the start of the season and with all due respect to our competitors, I am optimistic that we can pull it off.

Q: Your rivals for P4 are Mercedes GP. Is there a bit of extra motivation knowing that seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher is part of the rival team?
EB: No, not at all. We want to be world champion one day and we don’t care against whom we succeed. Mercedes is one of the last manufacturers left in Formula One - that probably spices up the situation. On top of that they are the reigning world champions.

Q: At the start of the season did you really believe that you could be so successful in 2010? The team underwent a dramatic reshuffle over the winter…
EB: Somehow I did. I knew what the technical capacity of the team is and that we have good people that co-operate excellently together.

Q: Your predecessor Flavio Briatore never bothered with predictions about fourth places. For him it was winning or nothing. Does that weigh on your shoulders?
EB: I don’t want to comment on that. I only look at what I can achieve and that is very clear: I want to get Renault back on the road to success. That means to be able to fight for wins and be a contender for the championship.

Q: What role do your current drivers Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov play in that?
EB: Robert’s role is beyond any doubt. Vitaly has to show us in the four remaining races that he is the man we can hand over our second cockpit to in 2011 to follow our self-defined goal. If he fails to convince us he will not drive our car. If he satisfies us we will keep him. But we don’t put pressure on ourselves when it comes to our full driver line-up for 2011. Only one hint: we definitely will not wait until January.

Q: Is it only a question of performance? It is no secret that having a Russian on the grid is good for Formula One, and the Russian market must also be very interesting for Renault…
EB: I know that a Russian driver would be appreciated and Russia holds a huge potential for all companies present in Formula One. However, for us the performance of a driver is still the first criteria - and then the passport. Performance clearly wins over marketing potential because if a driver doesn’t deliver then the marketing potential is also limited. You must never put the cart before the horse, or at least we don’t. For a French driver the nationality would similarly not smooth his way into the cockpit if he was lacking performance.

Q: The rumour mill has suggested you could also be considering German drivers Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil as potential Petrov replacements…
EB: Now I have to choose my words very carefully. Let’s put it this way: we don’t have a direct contact right now and the door is not open yet, but we have signalled that it could open under certain circumstances.

Q: And there is still former world champion Kimi Räikkönen in the picture…
EB: He contacted us. But once again, our main issue at the moment is whether we should keep Petrov. Only if this question is negated we will look for replacement. Regarding Kimi, I would have to speak personally with him first, look him in the eyes to see if I see enough motivation there for him to return to Formula One. It doesn’t make sense to hire somebody - even a former world champion - if you cannot be sure that his motivation is still one hundred percent. Why should you invest in somebody who leaves you guessing?

Q: Aren’t you afraid that there will be no more competitive drivers available when you are finally ready to make a decision?
EB: That’s the risk, but that’s part of the game. If a driver thinks that he cannot wait that long - but we are not ready for a decision - then we will not come together. Above all I want the best for my team.

Q: Räikkönen’s interest seems genuine because he believes that he could win races with Renault. Is that flattering?
EB: Yes it is because it shows that the work we’ve done this season is noticed and that we are considered a challenger for the championship in the future.

Q: Does Robert Kubica have any influence on who will be his future team mate?
EB: It is important that there is good vibe in the team, because that is part of a successful package. I will ask Robert his opinion, but we will decide. We will choose a driver that the team needs and not Robert Kubica.

Q: Have you already considered the new tyre supplier Pirelli in the development of your 2011 car…
EB: …and that Nick Heidfeld who has done the initial tests for Pirelli should be first choice? Because he sits on important information and would without doubt give them to his new team? I think that Pirelli will inform all the teams in due course.

Q: What about the rumour that Renault is thinking of buying back a majority stake in the team?
EB: There is nothing to it.

Q: You now have almost a full season as a Formula One team principal under your belt. Has it been what you expected?
EB: Ha, Formula One turned out exactly as I guessed. You have to fight every single day. It’s definitely a full time job! The most important thing is that you are able to create unity in the team so that everybody is able to give the maximum.

Q: How big is the pressure from Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn?
EB: The biggest pressure comes from oneself. There are regular meetings where he is informed about everything concerning the team - and that is a very positive sign.

Source: Formula1.com

Petrov: Why choose Kimi over me?

Vitaly Petrov can't quite see a reason why Renault would want to replace him with Kimi Raikkonen, after all, he costs a lot less than the Finn

Räikkönen could return to Formula One next season with Renault, having enquired about the team's second race-seat alongside Robert Kubica.

However, already the team has stated that finances will play a role in deciding whether the former World Champ is worth the massive salary they would have to pay him.

And that, Petrov says, is his trump card.

"Why would Renault choose Kimi rather than me?" Petrov asked Formule1.nl.

"The team knew when they started with me that I'm a rookie, I am still learning the ropes.

"The team is negotiating with several drivers, that's how it works in Formula 1. I feel that they are satisfied with me, though."

He added: "An advantage in my case; compared to Kimi they do not have to pay me that much."

Source: Planet-F1

" Is Räikkönen to Renault realistic?"

This time last year, Kimi Räikkönen was on poor form. Apart from a notable (and perhaps slightly opportunistic) victory at Spa, Ferrari hadn't been able to provide the 2007 World Champion with competitive equipment. He eventually finished 6th in the standings, his motivation and enthusiasm for the sport at an all time low. Little did he know that in just a few months he would have embarked on a second career in the World Rally Championship, and proven himself surprisingly good at it.

In late 2009, it was clear Kimi was getting restless. Just a few months before, during F1's summer break, he took a trip out to his home country, Finland, and tried rallying seriously. He was quick. He crashed. No surprise there, the debutante was more used to high speed, single seater precision than grabbing a glorified road car by the neck and dragging it across all surfaces. Nevertheless, something about it the experience caused the Finn to start looking at rallying as more than just a hobby.

A few months later, Ferrari surprised nobody by revealing that they had signed Fernando Alonso for 2010, giving Räikkönen the boot. Kimi looked around - a return to McLaren, where he spent five successful years, looked very much on the cards. But Räikkönen was high maintenance and high cost, and the Scuderia paid the Finn a staggering $20m to simply stay out of the paddock for a season. Rallying was now a real option, and when Citroën's junior team offered him a berth for a year, he leapt at the chance.

The first couple of rallies were poor. A lowly 29th in Sweden and a DNF in Mexico. But then, just as it looked like he'd made a catastrophic career decision, he pulled out a very respectable 8th place in Jordan. His unique personality allowed him to perform well under pressure, and we’ve seen it a lot in Formula 1. His laid-back attitude and his no-nonsense ‘get on with it’ driving style took him to the championship in 2007 while Hamilton and Alonso squabbled amongst themselves.

Success bred success. A week later he took 5th place in Turkey. "Räikkönen" was now appearing higher up the timesheets, alongside the likes of established aces such as Hirvonen, Sordo and Wilson. After missing the New Zealand rally he saw a few more respectable finishes, troubling the top ten in Portugal and Bulgaria. It was Germany in midsummer that we saw his real potential - Räikkönen took his first stage win and with it gained the respect of the whole rally community. A one year rallying adventure was set to become a whole new life for the mercurial Finn.

Spa 2010. By the time the Formula One community rolled up in the cloudy Ardennes forest, Kimi's final victory a year previously was little more than a distant and irrelevant memory. Nobody was really speculating about a Formula One return for the man who dominated the Belgian circuit, not least because a majority of the top places look to be settled for next season, the driver market inactive after last year's musical chairs frenzy.

But then, just last week, the Räikkönen story returned. The resurgent Renault team are on the lookout for a more suitable second driver after Russia's Vitaly Petrov proves fast, but with a wild debut season so far. Team boss Eric Boullier dropped the bombshell and announced that Räikkönen, who for months professed no desire to return to the sport he once reigned over, had directly contacted him with a view to a 2011 seat. The Finn's manager, Steve Robertson, confirmed the approach. A decision is expected relatively soon, with Petrov's performances under scrutiny, yet his commercial appeal keeping him firmly in the cockpit.

Lots will be said over the next few months. Much of what we see in the press will be nothing more than negotiation tactics and clever PR. But there's a chance, a tiny chance, that Kimi Räikkönen may return to the sport where he made his name - and he'll have fans. A lot of people miss his cool, laid-back attitude and desire to get out there and race - maybe even his wildchild partying ways which are so rare amongst professional sportsmen. But there's no doubt that the Flying Finn is an extraordinary talent, and Formula One would be much richer for his return.

Stranger things have happened. Just ask Michael Schumacher

Source: F1Lite's blog
Courtesy: YiNing

Gray Matter: Kimi’s comeback conundrum

Formula One was devoid of a ‘silly season’ this year until Renault’s newfound form generated rumours of a return for Kimi Räikkönen – but why did it surface and how likely is it to happen?

This year’s title battle is one of the most hotly contested of the year and all those involved in it will be thankful they have not had to cast one eye on their future as the front-running trio of Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren all had their seats tied up by mid-season at the latest.

Fourth-placed Mercedes, too, have long been locked-in with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, so that left Renault, who only have Robert Kubica confirmed for 2011, as the closest team to the front with a potentially open seat. And with the team still apparently under financial pressure, the potential for siphoning off Russian billions through Vitaly Petrov seemed inevitably hard to resist.

Not much excitement for those who enjoy the rumour mill, then.

But suddenly Kimi Räikkönen came back on the scene. The former Ferrari man is now with Citroen in the World Rally Championship but has been having a tough time proving he is as good as he thought on the slippery stuff and, it appears, all is forgiven in Formula One. The Finn is still unsigned in WRC for 2011 and he put the call in to Renault about a drive back in F1 this week – but at the same time admitted he expects to be competing in rallying again next year.

So does this confusing approach suggest he truly wants to find a way back or is someone somewhere playing a game with the rumour mill?

From Räikkönen’s point of view, he is still in a good position in rallying. He has retained his ‘super cool’ reputation, despite wrecking a few cars this year, and he is in the right mould for Citroen sponsor Red Bull. He also fits the mould of Monster, the other energy drink brand interested in motorsport, and they sponsor Citroën’s rivals Ford.

It is quite likely that Räikkönen is just trying to up his ante again, reminding everyone of his continued ability to generate publicity when his name pops up in F1 circles – and with the WRC still struggling to match the popularity of its more wealthy ‘cousin’ any help with PR is appealing to sponsors and teams.

If that is the case, however, Renault has handled it perfectly.

Petrov is still favourite for the Renault seat, but they will need more money fast if they are to keep up their relentless push to get back to the front in F1. So this could just be a way of getting the money needed to secure Petrov’s future flowing quicker.

Alternatively, Adrian Sutil, Heikki Kovalainen and Roman Grosjean are also in the mix.

Kovalainen is a long-shot and Grosjean, now a valuable knowledge source having just been named as the Pirelli test driver developing the new F1 rubber for 2011, is already part of the stable so that knowledge will filter through whether he is racing or not. So neither of those are particularly likely candidates.

Perhaps then the Räikkönen rumour is designed to also stir Sutil into action, with the likely need for him to draw in more backing to go along with his serious driving talent.

Ultimately, though, the best solution is a top driver who brings in the money – so perhaps Räikkönen’s approach is a serious one after all.

The Finn will not be cheap but if he does want to come back to F1 then it makes sense that he would get Renault to do his sponsor-hunting work for him.

By putting his name out there now and making it clear he is so serious he called them to ask about a drive, it could just stir up sponsor interest and if they can generate the same level of money Petrov could provide, everyone (except Petrov, who would no doubt end up as the test driver to still bring in some of the cash) is a winner.

Ultimately, Räikkönen’s comeback will be down to money – so for the sake of Formula One, let’s hope Renault finds some...

Will Gray / Eurosport
Courtesy: WHATEVER

WHAT NEXT FOR KIMI?

By Ian Parkes, Press Association Sport

Less than four weeks ago these were Räikkönen's words when asked about the prospect - "You never know, but I will probably never return to Formula One.

"It's something I did for many years, I had many great moments.

"I won a world championship title, which is what I always wanted, but times have changed.

"Now I'm in rallying, and there are many other things apart from Formula One in life."

Now bearing in mind Räikkönen was famed during his time in F1 for mumbling his way through answers when asked as to his future, that is about as unequivocal a statement as you are likely to get from the Finn.

After being ousted from Ferrari in favour of Fernando Alonso, but not without a substantial pay-off bearing in mind he still had a year remaining on his contract, and finding there was nowhere to go, Räikkönen scratched an itch by turning to the World Rally Championship.

Offered a drive by the Citroën Junior team, it is fair to say the 30-year-old has had a tough debut year, scoring points in only four of the nine events in which he has competed.

In contrast, team-mate Sebastien Ogier is second in the standings after winning two of the last five events, and in only his third full season.

No-one expected Räikkönen, though, to simply jump into a rally car and immediately be competing at the front as it is a steep learning curve, just as in Formula One.

Certainly Citroën Junior boss Benoit Nogier, far from expressing any displeasure with Raikkonen, is understood to be happy to give him a second season as that will truly be the mark of whether he has what it takes or not.

So you can understand Räikkönen's comments last month, believing there was again no competitive place open to him, certainly with the seats at Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes all taken.

But then Räikkönen is understood to have watched Robert Kubica's performance in the Belgian Grand Prix, and saw an opening.

Kubica qualified and finished third, suggesting Renault are slowly restoring their battered reputation, on and off track in the wake of last year's 'crash-gate' scandal.

The Pole has claimed 108 of the team's 127 points this season, and they are pushing Mercedes hard for fourth spot in the constructors' championship, a feat that would have been laughed at a year ago, so far had they fallen.

Like Räikkönen in the WRC, Kubica's team-mate Vitaly Petrov has failed to set F1 alight in his rookie campaign, and after 14 races immature mistakes are still being made.

In the last two qualifying sessions, Petrov spun in Spa when there was no pressure and then blocked Timo Glock in Monza, relegating him to 23rd and 20th on the grid for the Belgian and Italian Grands Prix respectively.

Such errors have cost the team valuable points as he finished ninth and 13th in those two races when it was clear from Kubica's third and eighth that so much more was possible.

There is every indication Renault would like to keep faith with the Russian because a debut year can often be misleading, with a second season ultimately sorting the wheat from the chaff.

But in a results-driven business, do you persist with a driver like Petrov, or do you go for a proven winner and past champion such as Räikkönen?

That is the dilemma for Renault team owner Gerard Lopez and team principal Eric Boullier, who this week confirmed Räikkönen "is on the radar now."

That is because, and somewhat surprisingly given those remarks last month, Räikkönen approached Renault about a possible drive for the team for 2011.

But as Lopez pointed out this week Renault's reversal in form and fortune compared to their nadir of a year ago, means they are in an enviable position where they can afford to pick and choose.

Räikkönen's return would undeniably be welcome as that would throw up the prospect of there being five world champions - potentially six should Mark Webber win the title this year - being on the grid for next season.

For a deal to be struck, it all boils down to a question of who needs who the most.

Source: Sportinglife.com
Courtesy: WHATEVER

Petrov to hold 2011 Renault talks 'later'

Vitaly Petrov is currently being left out of talks about being Robert Kubica's Renault teammate in 2011.

Despite being initially labelled little more than a pay-driver, the Russian rookie has been a solid performer this season.

But the Enstone based team's management, targeting a return to the top of the podium in the wake of the crashgate scandal and change of ownership, is openly contemplating its options for next year.

Asked about 2011, Petrov said at an F1 demonstration event alongside Jenson Button in Moscow at the weekend: "Next year is in hand, the talks will be held later."

Several experienced drivers are reportedly being considered for Petrov's seat, including Kimi Raikkonen, Nick Heidfeld, Heikki Kovalainen, Christian Klien and Adrian Sutil.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Sauber rookie Kamui Kobayashi is also on the list.

"Some are fanciful, others are realistic because there are already discussions," boss Eric Boullier is quoted by France's Auto Hebdo when asked about the reported candidates.

Boullier had said Sebastien Buemi was also on the list, but Toro Rosso has now confirmed him for 2011, even though the Swiss youngster was not initially told.

Switzerland's Sonntagsblick newspaper explained the discrepancy by revealing that Toro Rosso had the right to retain Buemi due to his ongoing Red Bull contract.

And the 21-year-old is now quoted as saying he is "very happy" to be staying at the Faenza based team.

Italy's Autosprint is also linking Timo Glock with the Renault seat, even though Virgin's Nick Wirth said the struggling British team wants to retain the German.

Source: Motorsport.com