It's Official: Bahrain Is Back On Oct 30th

The FIA have officially confirmed that Bahrain is back on the calendar after Jean Todt visited the country to assess the situation

Bahrain was postponed earlier this season when political unrest dogged the island kingdom. However, after much debate and consideration, the FIA have opted to reinstate the grand prix.

"Following a fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on 31 May 2011 to assess the situation in the country," said a FIA statement.

"Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights.

"It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process.

"After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the WMSC unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship."

The FIA added that they believe the decision will play a crucial role in helping to unite the people of Bahrain in the wake of the recent crisis.

"This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country.

"The WMSC feels that reinstating the grand prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognises the commitment made by the Formula One teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the Championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event."

The race will take place on October 30th with the inaugural Indian GP moving back to the very end of the calendar.

"The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on 30 October, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 Championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize-Giving Gala."

Source: Planet-F1

Räikkönen: Never say never

After one million and one denials that he could return to F1, Kimi Räikkönen now says maybe he's not done with the sport

Kimi Räikkönen walked away from F1 at the end of the 2009 season after parting ways with Ferrari and failing to land a race-seat with a race-winning outfit.

The Finn instead turned his attention to the World Rally Championship while this weekend he made his NASCAR truck debut at the Charlotte Motor Speedway

But while Räikkönen is still trying his hand at various series around the world, the 2007 Formula One World Champ refused to say no to a possible F1 return.

"There were many reasons why I stopped (racing in F1)," he told Autosport.

"I always said that I don't know if it's going to be forever or not but after that I wasn't really missing Formula 1. I wanted to try other things and I had a perfect opportunity to go and do rally and learn that and now I have time to come here and see how NASCAR is.

"I'm happy how things are now but I never really have said that I'm never going to go back (to F1). Maybe I will never go, maybe I'll go, but only the future will tell.

"Like I said before I have no plans for next year. I never really had any plans for this year before January so it may get quite late to know exactly what I will do."

Source: Planet-F1

Q&A with Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica says his recovery is going well, he should leave hospital soon and he's not giving up on returning to F1...

"Hello everybody, here I am. Sorry for the delay in contacting you but I preferred to wait until the moment I could finally share some positive news with you. First of all I would like to pay a huge amount of thanks to my fans whose support has been simply incredible since my accident in Italy back in February. I have been literally submerged by letters and various gifts and objects and it seems the flow is not slowing down. I also want to thank all the people in the world of F1 who showed in various manners their concern for the difficult situation I'm in."

Q: Robert, just over 10 weeks on from your accident - how are you feeling?
RK: I am starting to feel a lot better now. My recovery is moving in the right direction: my strength and weight are increasing day on day and as a result I will leave the Santa Corona hospital very soon.

Q: When exactly will you leave the hospital?
RK: I don't have a precise date as yet but I hope to be able to leave within the next 10 days.

Q: Concerning the injury to your hand, how is the mobility now?
RK: The mobility of my hand is limited but this is pretty normal in this kind of situation, because the connected arm muscles are still very weak due to the long period of immobility. Things are definitely improving day by day.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your rehabilitation programme?
RK: As soon as I leave hospital, I'll head to my home in Monaco for a short period of rest. Then I'll move to Dr. Ceccarelli 's facilities in Italy where I will start a deep rehabilitation program and a preliminary soft training programme. The two programmes will gradually cross over based on the speed of my recovery.

Q: There's been an amazing reaction from the fans - how has the response helped your recovery?
RK: I must admit that it's been overwhelming and, yes, it's helped me a lot. I really didn't realise that quite this many fans were supporting me. I'm very flattered and I promise them that, when I'm back, I'll give them my absolute best.

Q: Have you been staying in regular touch with the team since you've been away?
RK: Yes, of course. Especially since the season started, I've been liaising with my engineers on what's been going on over race weekends. They are sending me the race reports so I can remain up to date and fully informed, as if I were there at the tracks. Eric Boullier is also in constant contact, keeping up to date with my general condition.

Q: Have you watched all the races so far this year, and what are you making of the new season and LRGP's performances so far?
RK: Yes I've watched them, and there is no doubt that it's been a strong start to the season. The potential of the car, which I already noticed in the February Valencia test, seems to be confirmed. As usual, it's now important that the development done in Enstone continues to produce consistent updates for maintaining this level of performance. The guys did a great job with this car and I'm sure they'll continue to improve.

Q: Finally, what messages would you like to pass on to your supporters in the Formula 1 world?
RK: Well, just continue to enjoy the F1 show even though I'm not there at the moment. From my side, I'll try to use my difficult experience to come back as strong as I possibly can.

Source: Lotus Renault GP - Planet-F1

'Impossible' to predict Kubica return

Renault's team doctor, Riccardo Ceccarelli, admits that at this stage it is still not possible to predict when Robert Kubica may return to F1

The Pole sustained multiple fractures to an arm, leg and a partially-severed right hand during an accident in Ronda di Andora Rally in Italy which required numerous surgeries to repair.

Despite the injuries being potentially career-threatening, Kubica has vowed to be back in a race car by the end of the year. However, Ceccarelli has called for caution in making hasty judgements as to when he would be back.

"This is obviously a question we cannot answer. No one can answer when or how, because we can only say that the surgeons did a great job," said Ceccarelli.

"Robert is very strong and he is recovering in a good way. But, there is a third factor which is nature - how will nature be with him? Nice or not? Fast or not? This is something we cannot say.

"So it is question that is impossible to answer. We only think we have two positive aspects: the job done by the doctors and Robert, who is strong. So, these are the only things we have at the moment. All the rest is impossible to say."

"What we can say - this year, next year or three years? It makes no sense [to say] in this moment. I can only tell what I know.

"And what I told you is exactly what we know - he has made a good job, he is reacting well and it will take time, a long time. After that, honestly, I am not a magician so honestly I cannot say anything more than this."

Ceccarelli confirmed that 26-year-old is making good progress,

"Robert is getting better every day. I see that he is recovering, psychologically and physically, very quickly. This is not a surprise for us because we know Robert very well," he said.

Particularly pleasing is the news that Kubica is able to move the fingers in his damaged hand.

"Robert is moving fingers, he is moving his wrist. So it is good. That is positive but we cannot predict anything else," added Ceccarelli.

Source: Planet-F1

Vettel: Schumi can finish second to my first

Sebastian Vettel says compatriot Michael Schumacher is still his role model and has backed the Formula One legend to return to form this season

"I always see him as a role model and I think he is capable of achieving something big this season," the reigning World Champion told German motoring magazine ADAC Motorwelt.

"I hope that it will not be too big, if he is second in the 2011 Championship, that would be okay for me," he joked.

Schumacher returned to Formula One racing in 2010 after a three-year hiatus which followed his seven World title victories.

He finished a disappointing ninth in last season's Drivers' Championship racing for Mercedes GP.

Schumacher turned 42 in January and told the magazine he is feeling "rather good" with the new season, which is set to start with the Australian GP on March 27.

"This season, I think we can claim for the podium and why not some grand prix wins," said Schumacher.

"But talk of the World title is still unrealistic."

Source: Planet-F1

Kubica: I will return to Formula One

Injured Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica plans to return to racing before the end of the year

The Pole is responding well to treatment in a hospital in Italy after suffering multiple fractures to his arm and leg and a partially severed right hand following a crash in Sunday's Ronde di Andora rally.

Kubica, who will undergo further surgery on Friday, is expected to miss the whole of the 2011 season but he told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I want to return this year.

"I am really determined to reduce the recovery time with a very defined programme."

Kubica had seven hours of surgery after he was airlifted to a hospital in Savona following the crash where doctors worked to reattach his right hand.

"The fingers work and so does the arm, I can feel them," he said.

"But I still have to undergo another operation and then I will know.

"I cannot move much right now. But I don't have much pain because I'm sedated.

"On Saturday I will be able to know what my condition is after I undergo the double surgery (arm and foot).

"Then there will be the countdown to begin preparation. I only have that in mind.

"I want to return stronger than before."

The 26-year-old has had serious accidents in the past, requiring surgery to his left arm after being a passenger in a road accident in 2003, and then missing the 2007 United States Grand Prix after a serious crash in Canada.

"After this accident, you are no longer the same, you are better," he said.

"I had already gone through that in 2007 after the crash in Canada.

"I was out for one race and when I came back I was better. A driver is not just about accelerating and steering.

"There is a difference between those that drive at 85 per cent and those that drive at 95 per cent. The 15 per cent remaining is the capacity and motivation that comes out of you.

"Since 2007, I'm a stronger driver and I'm stronger mentally. It will be the same this time when I recover physically."

Kubica said he was still trying to piece together the sequence of events that led to his accident.

Kubica's car left the road and collided with the wall of a church, with a guard-rail penetrating the front of his Skoda Fabia and causing his injuries.

"I really don't know what happened because I don't remember anything of the accident," he said. "I just found myself in hospital and my agent Daniele Morelli has explained everything to me.

"I am saddened with what has happened. It should not have happened.

"I am sorry for my mother because I have made her worry and suffer.

"One does this job but never thinks of the consequences. I just know that I did the rally and now I am in this bed."

But Kubica has no regrets about taking part in the rally, although Lotus Renault have come in for criticism for allowing him to take part.

"Rallies are my passion," he said.

"They are a hard training, severe for Formula One.

"I drive better in Formula One because I have taken part in many rallies.

"The rallies help you in concentration, considering that in Formula One there are very few tests.

"Rallies have allowed me to work on certain areas that I can improve on. It is important in a season where you have 20 grands prix."

Asked if he would take part in future rallies once he recovers, Kubica said: "I don't know, we will see at the time."

Source: Planet-F1

Räikkönen not ruling out F1 return

Kimi Räikkönen has refused to rule out replacing the injured Robert Kubica at Renault.

Having launched his own world rally entry Ice1 for 2011, the 2007 world champion is already in Sweden for the season opener.

Moreover, after negotiations with Renault broke down spectacularly mid last season, Renault team boss Eric Boullier dismissed the latest rumours about Räikkönen as "pure speculation".

"We spoke to Kimi last year," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "He told us that he would rather stay in rallying. So he was no longer considered after that."

Nick Heidfeld is trying out for the seat at the Jerez test this week, with Boullier naming Pedro de la Rosa and Vitantonio Liuzzi as the secondary candidates.

But when asked if he is set to shock the F1 world with a return to F1 in the short-term, 31-year-old Räikkönen was quoted by Finnish broadcaster MTV3: "That’s hard to say."

Source: NextgenAuto

Kimi Räikkönen returns to the public after a period of mourning

Kimi, who lost his father tragically before Christmas has not appeared in public since the beginning of the year

The mourning period is now officially behind us because Kimi will return to the public on Thursday, February 3 at the Helsinki Fair Centre.

At that time the MP 11 motorcycle trade show will begin at the exhibition centre, where Kimi and enduro legend Kari Tiainen's common motocross team ICE1 RACING is represented. A press conference outlining the team's goals this year is arranged in connection with the exhibition.

During the coming year Kimi's time will be taken up by the motocross team and also by the World Rally Championship series which starts on Thursday, February 10 at Rally Sweden.

– Kimi returns from a break now and the work will begin on Thursday next week, Kimi's PR manager, Riku Kuvaja tells to MTV3.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: sleenster

Pirelli targets 2012 WRC return

Italian tyre firm Pirelli is targeting a return to the World Rally Championship in 2012.

Pirelli has a contract to compete for at least three years in Formula One, as well as in GP2 and GP3.

But the company’s motorsport director Paul Hembery has spoken of his desire to return to take on Michelin in the 2012 WRC.

“I want us to be back in the WRC in 2012,” said Hembery. “Once those regulations are out, we will study them carefully and begin - if the conditions are right - to prepare ourselves. We have a programme of continued development to maintain our knowledge in rallying through the season.”

Pirelli will remain in the WRC this season, continuing to supply rubber to the WRC Academy – which will incorporate the Pirelli Star Driver scheme.

“We have supported the WRC since its inception in 1973 and we still have a huge passion for the sport of rallying,” added Hembery. “Yes, we are back in Formula 1, but we’re certainly not about to forget about the WRC.”

As well as supplying the WRC Academy, Pirelli recently secured a deal to equip the Citroen Racing Trophy – a one-make series present in 10 countries this year – with tyres for the next three years.

Source: MaxRally
Courtesy: luieluv

Schumacher defends his decision to return to F1

It's been a difficult year for the seven time F1 champion, Michael Schumacher

After three years in retirement, Schumacher returned to F1 with the new Mercedes team, but has struggled to make an impact on the race track, finishing this year's season in a disappointing ninth place.

It has led many to wonder why the racing legend has returned to sport. But amid the gossip and allegations, the 41-year-old has defended his decision.

He told CNN: "I enjoy it. I feel I have the right to do what I enjoy. Whether I put in dispute my reputation...I just feel good about my decision and I have so much support from people."

"I certainly want to make it a successful return," he continued. "I'm only happy if I'm back on the winning road with the team. This is what I'm working for, this is the joy of the passion for Formula 1."

His decision has been supported by some of the biggest names in F1.

Finnish F1 driver for Team Lotus Heikki Kovalainen told CNN the criticisms towards Schumacher were unfair.

"People had high expectations, people expected him to win. But (Mercedes) didn't have a car to win and second of all, things have changed since he left Formula 1."

Fellow F1 champion Alain Prost said no-one should judge or criticize a driver of his caliber, saying, "For me, it is difficult, almost impossible to go back to the title after three years...But if there's one driver who'd be able to do it, I think it's Michael."
Team principal and co-owner of Mercedes, Ross Brawn, admits the team has had a disappointing year and credits some of that to Schumacher.

"It's been disappointing, in overall performance, we haven't had the car, Michael's taken a little time to get up to the performance he'll be able to deliver. I've seen patches of that performance...the last few races of the season was the Michael Schumacher I expected to see.

But on a more positive note, Brawn added: "Now it's all coming together and I think next year we're going to have a really exciting time."

Schumacher admits it's been a sluggish return to the track, but remains positive, saying: "It's certainly not as successful as I thought initially and many other people have thought."

"But then having such a strong group and team behind, Mercedes pushing it so hard, I have no doubt about success in the future."

Source: CNN

Ilta-Sanomat (paper edition): "Kimi has to come back next year"

F1-doctor Aki Hintsa knows what F1-drivers are like

You went to McLaren in 2003. Why?

- I was invited. I had already made co-work with Mika Häkkinen since 1988. I was Mika's personal doctor and we took care of things related to his performance level.

What is your title and job description in McLaren?

- The title is Head of Human High Performance, in other words I take care of the human top performance of the drivers and the team.

How has F1-world changed during your F1-years?

- After 10 years of experience I can say that if possible the F1-world has become even more commercial. You see it from how they choose races based upon financial matters. The old F1-culture is starting to vanish. A new commercial F1-culture is taking it's place. It's a shame for the sport.

- The focus from the sport doesn't disappear but the angle changes. Earlier perfomance was the most important thing. Now the situation is so finance driven. You really have to go digging if you want to find even an ounce of humanity.

What do they require from the drivers today?

- More and more. A F1-driver has to be physically in top form and he must be mentally extremely prepared for top perfoming. Family and friends are important. If you succeed then your group of pals grows bigger. If there's nothing then nobody cares. The difficulty is how to master the wholeness. The wholeness consists of physical training, mental resources, social frame and the work environment. Inside the team you have to master the psychodynamics so that you get the best out of yourself as a driver.

- Everybody also constantly wants a piece of the driver and that's why it's easy to lose your identity. My job is to get the boys to keep their feet on the ground aswell as hang on to their identity with teeth and nails so that they maintain their human dignity.

What has it required from you?

- I'm sitting in the same boat.

You had to move to Switzerland because of your work. What do you miss from Finland?

- The kids are the first thing that comes to my mind because they study in Finland. I also miss the silence, sauna and jumping into the lake from the sauna. When we warm up the sauna with my son Niklas we can easily talk all night.

You have earlier been in Africa making operations for free. Why?

- I was in Ethiopia for 3 years working for a developmental aid organisation. One year was right after the civil war and it was more war surgery. I also taught local doctors to perform smaller operations. I led for two years the health projects. I was in Africa two years ago but am planning to go there again. I'm in a project where African war- and aids-orphans are helped.

What made you go to developmental aid?

- As a small boy I promised God that I will go to Africa and help and I kept my promise.

You are friends with top sprinter Haile Gebreselasse. How often do you meet?

- Haile always takes good care of me when I'm in Ethiopia.

You also took Mika Häkkinen to Ethiopia back in the times. Why?

- I asked Mika to come many times and he promised to come. I doubted him and said that you are not going to go to Ethiopia. Once when I was going to Ethiopia Mika was suddenly waiting for me at the airport. I still doubted he was going step into the plane. But he did and we went to say hello to Haile.

You have brought many F1-drivers to Kuortane Sport Academy and your cottage. Why?

- We have a long working relationship with Tapio Korjus. I have many other good friends there too. Kuortane is a good place for F1-drivers just like Vierumäki is. We have an extremely top level sport academy -culture. The private journeys have a bigger meaning for the drivers. They are then coming for silence and peace. They really can calm down.

You have to travel all the time and you are constantly surrounded by hundreds of people. Where do you get your strenght from?

- The work is torning and the age in the meter isn't getting smaller. I jog and go to gyms and to sauna in Finland. Unfortunately I have been quite seldom in Finland. Sometimes it feels like I'm done with all of this.

How long is your contract with McLaren?

- Two years, after that I don't know. They have presented new jobs inside the team and we are talking about changing my job description. Other teams have also made offers to me. I'm also a manager in a medical space program in Switzerland and I'm very excited over it. In the future I want to work more in one place so that people come to see me instead of me travelling around the world.

What are Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton like?

- They are both different but brilliant guys in their own way.

What is Sebastian Vettel like?

- An extremely determined young man. He knows for sure what he wants and he will also get there.

What about Mark Webber?

- He is one of the most interesting guys. He gives the impression of being fair but his will to compete covers fairness. Mark has two faces, which is a really good thing for a top sportsman.

Fernando Alonso?

- I have worked with him too. If you could say that you can see from some driver's eyes who wins you wouldn't have to guess twice. Alonso's will to win, both in good and bad, is something that I haven't seen during my career. He does well because of that will.

Who will win 2010?

- The black horse.

Do you believe that Kimi Räikkönen will come back to F1?

- If Kimi comes back next year, then he can come but after that I don't believe in it. Therefore 2011 is the last year when he can make a comeback.

Courtesy: Nicole

Schumacher: It’s been tougher that I thought

Michael Schumacher admits that his 2010 F1 return has been more difficult that he thought it would be

Michael Schumacher admits that his return to the F1 grid has been more difficult than he expected as he prepares for the final four races of the year.

The seven-time champion has finished inside the top six on only four occasions having come out of retirement to join Mercedes at the start of the season – a series of results which have led to questions about whether or not he would elect to continue into the 2011 campaign.

That talk has been played down by both Mercedes and Schumacher himself and the German admitted that there was work to be done in 2011 to allow the team to fight back from a disappointing 2010 season.

“It has been a much tougher year than we expected,” he said. “If you think of the performance that the team was able to do last year, expectations were high. We have not been able to fulfil those expectations. At the same time it has been a long-term project and if I look back at how long it took with Benetton and with Ferrari to build up a team and then finally to take success it has never been possible to do that in the short term.

“The nature of the fact that the team used to be a big team, such as the top three teams, then was reduced to a much smaller team during last year due to circumstances that everybody knows, we are now a rather small team compared to the top running teams. That, in the situation that we are right now, makes it, naturally, a little bit more difficult. But then we have made decisions and steps to get back to the winning route although naturally it will take time.”

With his own car out of contention for victory this weekend in Japan – barring a remarkable set of circumstances – Schumacher admitted that the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel would be difficult to beat at a circuit where a good car is vital to securing the best result.

“In a way, it is a high challenge track, and drivers, yes indeed, can give a great input on this kind of track, especially in the first sector, but nevertheless, the car is mega-important because of this first sector,” he said. “If the response from the front end in particular, with all these longish corners, is weak, you suffer quite a lot and in this respect, looking at the nature of the Red Bull car, I think it's going to be very strong in my view, but then I know that McLaren is pushing very hard on developments, so we will see whether they can keep up or not. That's going to be a tough one.”

Source: Crash.net

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

Raikkonen in 'no rush' to decide future

Kimi Raikkonen insists he still has not decided whether or not to stay in the world rally championship next year.

The 2007 world champion left Formula One at the end of last season despite remaining under lucrative contract to Ferrari, and has since been driving full time for Red Bull-sponsored Citroen.

But in recent days he has been linked with a return to F1 next year with Renault, and the WRC's official website wrc.com said a sabbatical or a renewed tenure in rallying are also possibilities for the Finn in 2011.

"I'm enjoying it (rallying) so far," he is quoted as saying on Friday, "but I've not made up my mind what I'm doing yet.

"Quite soon I hope I will know but there is no rush," added the 30-year-old.

Source: Motorsport

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

Räikkönen manager says Renault seat 'possible'

Kimi Räikkönen's manager has confirmed he contacted Renault about the 2007 world champion returning to Formula One next season

Earlier this week, the reports did not reveal whether it was his management team or the Finn himself who approached team boss Eric Boullier about being Robert Kubica's 2011 teammate.

"It's true, I spoke with Boullier," Steve Robertson told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.

Räikkönen, 30, switched from Ferrari to world rallying for 2010, and it had been expected that he would continue his new challenge for at least another year.

But according to the well-respected Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio, Raikkonen is aiming to maintain his high income for 2011, given that his Ferrari contract finally runs out soon.

Said Robertson: "We want to explore all the possible options for next year. Kimi and I asked Renault what is the situation."

Turun Sanomat reporter Heikki Kulta insists the most possible outcome for Raikkonen in 2011 is a continuation of his rallying foray.

"There are all sorts of rumours," Robertson continued. "I've even heard that Kimi could go to NASCAR, but that is definitely not an option."

In the event that Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel win the 2010 championship, Raikkonen's return to F1 could push the number of world champions on the 2011 grid to an impressive six.

Source: Motorsport.com

Räikkönen says Vettel 'nicest guy' in F1

His ongoing Ferrari contract aside, Sebastian Vettel is perhaps Kimi Räikkönen's last remaining link with the world of Formula One.

"I have hardly any contact with the other drivers," the 2007 world champion, who switched full-time to the world rally championship this year, told spox.com.

"Sometimes I play badminton with Vettel," he revealed, referring to his fellow Swiss resident.

So does the Finn think 23-year-old Vettel is ready to win the 2010 title?

"I think so. But mostly he's just the nicest guy of them all," said Raikkonen.

The 30-year-old has not announced his plans for 2011, but he has admitted that it is unlikely he will ever again appear on a Grand Prix grid.

"In Formula One there are too many things that are more important than the race," said Raikkonen.

"It is too political and no one says what they think because they're afraid about being taken out of context."
In contrast, he is enjoying his new rallying foray, where at the recent German rally, he notched up his first career stage win.

"Yes, I love it," said Raikkonen. "It is very, very exciting and the biggest challenge of my career."

But he won't rule out one day returning to F1.

"I wouldn't say that. We'll see. First, let's take this season right to the end and then clarify some things. Then we'll see," said Räikkönen.

Source: Motorsport

Never say never

Turun Sanomat 19.8 2010

Kimi Räikkönen has just given a whole bunch of autographs to German fans. We are sitting in Citroen's lounge, just the two of us. In the afternoon Räikkönen let understand in MTV3's interview that his leaf in F1 would by this stage be already turned.

When I pressed him asking him if this was the final decision, the rally rookie makes faces, tosses and turns and almost whispers so uneasily that even the experts on exposing lies would most certainly not be convinced that the reply is truthful.

Of course the subject is difficult for the driver when there are no contracts - hardly even negotiations - about next season. At this moment continuing in rally is yet the option that interests him more.

It's as if he would have to choose between morning porridge with strawberry jam and sugar or just porridge. Rally would offer him sweetness for his whole belly even though the other option would offer remarkably more money.

Räikkönen has always been an individual with a strong will. A Finn who is stubborn and walks his own path, who bystanders can influence only by confirming the man's decision.

The old saying says 'never say never' - and you have reason to believe in this at this stage. The only thing that is certain is that Räikkönen doesn't drive his last year in rally but it's not yet certain if the rally career continues in 2011.

Big marketing powers are needed to bring alive Räikkönen's enthusiasm to drive in F1 again.

One year ago Räikkönen himself believed that he would be driving for Ferrari in F1. Everything changed during Aug-Sep.

It might still happen again. In the top of motorsport everything is always possible starting from injuries to surprising firings.

Trier/Heikki Kulta

Source: Turun Sanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Kimi isn't going back to F1!

Kimi Räikkönen is enjoying rally and doesn't miss the F1 world.

Kimi Räikkönen, who will drive in Jyväskylä's WRC rally for the second time, is being regularly connected to F1 (in the media). But Kimi is not about to go back to the world of F1.

-The F1 circles don't interest me one bit. I was there for several years and I don't miss it, said Kimi.Räikkönen left a small, almost nonexistent, backgate open for an F1 return.

-It's only worth going back to a team where one can win. And those teams are very few. The likelihood of my F1 return is in the range of a few percent.

Kimi is planning to drive rally also next year.

-We'll see what car I'll be driving then. There are a few choices, Kimi told

Source: Iltalehti.fi
Courtesy: Dracaena

Kimi prepares for his return to Finland

They say practice makes perfect, whether it’s tightrope walking or Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto. So it follows that the same is true in rallying: particularly if you happen to be a beginner like a certain Kimi Matias Räikkönen.

Over the years, Kimi’s proved that he’s game for most things, such as dressing up in a gorilla suit and calling himself James Hunt. He’s that increasingly rare animal: a racing driver with a life.

But one thing he’s not had that much practice of yet is rallying. Next weekend Kimi takes on what will be only his seventh World Championship Rally at the wheel of his Red Bull-backed Citroen C4 WRC, but it’s possibly his biggest one yet: Rally Finland.

Known as the ‘Finnish Grand Prix’ and famous for its trampoline-like crests that launch cars into the air for up to 100 metres, Rally Finland is the Monaco of the World Rally Championship; the one that all the drivers want to win.

Particularly, if like Kimi, they happen to be Finnish and blessed with the trenchant quality of sisu: that untranslatable Finnish word that means something between fire in the belly and strength in the face of adversity.

We caught up with Kimi as he tested for two days close to Jyvaskyla this week: the base for the Rally Finland from July 29-31. He comes to it with an important ace up his Nomex sleeve: of all the rallies this year, Finland is the only one he’s done before.

But as the Iceman explains, the circumstances are somewhat different…

Redbull.com: You’ve already done Rally Finland last year. Is that going to help?

Kimi Raikkonen: “It helps a bit, for sure. But last year I did it in a Fiat Punto Super 2000, which is quite a lot slower than the Citroen C4 WRC that I have now. It’s almost like driving a different rally. The speed is so much faster in the Citroen that we will have to make a completely new set of pace notes. And then I didn’t finish the rally last year because unfortunately we went off. So while some things are going to be a bit familiar, other things are going to be very different as well.”

RB: What were you testing in Finland this week?
KR: “Everything basically. That’s the thing for me this year: because every event is new to us, we’re starting from scratch with the set-up every time. I really don’t know what to expect. For example, our last rally was Bulgaria. I hadn’t even set foot in the country before we started the recce there. But in Finland it’s very fast, with lots of big jumps. So the main thing we are concentrating on there is getting the suspension and dampers right. Like all these things it is a compromise. You need to make the car stiff enough to cope with all the crests but soft enough to get good traction. That’s why we go testing.”

RB: Do you feel a lot of extra pressure at home?
KR: “Not really. I’ve been used to pressure in Formula One and in rallying there’s a little less pressure, because the atmosphere is more relaxed generally and also because it’s unrealistic for people to expect us to win in our first year. Even a podium would be a lot. Being at home means that there are even more crowds and people wanting autographs than usual but I’m certainly used to that as well. The way I look at it is that it is nice to get to drive at the top in my home country: that’s an opportunity that I never had in Formula One.”

RB: How difficult is it to cope with challenging for a win at every Grand Prix to just trying to score points on every rally now?
KR: “These things are only difficult if you are disappointed by your results and I’m not disappointed. I came into this year with my eyes open and no real expectations apart from the fact that it would be difficult to switch. And I was certainly right about that. Don’t forget that I had options in Formula One and I still have them: this is what I chose for myself. So it’s not a problem.”

RB: Finally the killer question: are you going back to Formula One?
KR: “Good question. I’ve never been asked that before. Seriously? OK, I’ll tell you: I don’t know.”

And some people say that Finns have no sense of humour…!

Source: RedBull.com