REPORT: Kimi Räikkönen set to retire from F1 after 2009 season
Rumors are heating up that Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Räikkönen will walk away from the grand prix circus at the end of the 2009 season. If the 2007 World Champion does quit, it would free up his seat for two-time champion Fernando Alonso. You'll recall that there's been talk of Alonso making the jump to Ferrari since well before his single unhappy season at McLaren. However, the circumstances have never quite worked out for him.
According to reports from his native Finland, Räikkönen may move over to full time rallying like so many of his compatriots before him. Kimi has already competed in three rallies this year and is set to do another later this month. Räikkönen still has another year left on his contract and Ferrari may end up paying his €28 million salary in order to keep him out of any other F1 seat in 2010.
[Source: GPUpdate]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ntcougar7 4:29PM (7/18/2009)
good riddance,right decision by Ferrari.
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AutoCritical 9:27PM (7/18/2009)
It wouldn't be a Ferrari decision as Kimi has a contract for 2010 - I think the more correct rumor is that HE may leave after 2009.
adrian 7:02AM (7/19/2009)
I think Raikkonen became bored with F1, Just like most viewers. Rallying would be a much better option.
Majarvis 4:43PM (7/18/2009)
So on Autoblog, rumours=set in stone fact?
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Rob 8:07PM (7/19/2009)
First word in the article = Rumors.
Mr.Oak 4:54PM (7/18/2009)
Ha!! I got into so much trouble over at F1 Live.com, for saying that he was washed up, done, thoroughly handed his hat by Filipe Massa. Also said he was lucky to back into the title due to the in-fighting between Hamilton and Alonso. The Finns who post there weren't too happy with me.
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Mr.Oak 9:51PM (7/18/2009)
BG: I merely stated the facts. Screw ya'll if you can't accept the facts.
tankd0g 7:11PM (7/20/2009)
He and Massa are pretty much on even footing now, neither has a chance at winning a race in 2009.
Guitar Hero 5:05PM (7/18/2009)
Don't believe this. GPUpdate got that because Finnish media said it. And Finnish media said it because one Italian newspaper continued the rumour of Alonso going to Ferrari based on Spanish newspapers, that are repeating that rumour from 2007.
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Weaksauce 3:21PM (7/19/2009)
What has Kimi done this season that's noteworthy? He got more press for wrecking that rally car than any F1 race he's done.
With all the commotion about Alonso joining Ferrari after this season, this story is quite interesting. Autoblog was smart to claim it as a "REPORT," and not declare it as the gospel.
It's Journalism. If anyone is going to eat crow if this story goes south, it's gpupdate.com. Even then, they'll be within their journalistic right to SPECULATE what's happening at the end of the season.
Everybody here needs to lighten up.
Brad 5:23PM (7/18/2009)
It wouldn't surprise me. He just hasn't been the same after winning his championship. I've always been a fan of his. I just think he's lost the passion for F1.
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Jsams4131 5:27PM (7/18/2009)
I wouldn't blame him if he did lose his passion. Raikkonen was a great driver nonetheless...he can't be judged by his past couple years. I won't be surprised if we see him turn up in rally.
larry a 5:26PM (7/19/2009)
Everyone is losing their passion for F1, rallying is the best form of motorsport anyway
João 5:37PM (7/18/2009)
I'll quote his manager about these rumours: "pure bullsh*t" nothing more to say.
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Franz 5:36PM (7/18/2009)
I like Kimi. He's a very good driver... one of the best there is currently IMO. He's one of the few drivers in F1 who I think is "normal"... quite a character. From dressing up in Gorilla suits for boat races, entering rallies and snowmobile races under assumed names, getting piss drunk at bachelor parties and walking around the paddock drinking soda & eating ice cream. Not a man of many words, but he's definitely the biggest personality in F1 IMO. Not sure I'd like to be his boss, but I'm a huge fan.
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RED_ 5:45PM (7/18/2009)
Not anything new really, he said something about being a rally driver and all that ''you never know'' stuff. Looks like hes lost interest in F1. Really showed he didn't care at Malaysia.
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Ben Roethig 5:03AM (7/19/2009)
Not surprised. Seemed like the type that is more interested in being a celebrity than a driver.
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tpp 7:00AM (7/19/2009)
Say what?
You sure you not mistaking him for Button?
Juggernaut 7:11PM (7/18/2009)
with f1 the way it is now... i do not blame him
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Venom 7:27PM (7/18/2009)
Until I hear it from his mouth, I will wait.
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