Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/11/report-red-bull-to-place-raikkonen-loeb-and-coulthard-in-peuge/#commentsFiled under: ,


Peugeot 908 HDi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motorsports of late have been gripped by the crossover of racing drivers from one discipline to another, but one of the most established migrations in motor racing has always been between Formula One and Le Mans. The great (but unrelated) Hills - Phil and Graham - both won the F1 championship and Le Mans, but none have done so since Jochen Rindt in 1970. Lately, Peugeot especially has been seeking F1 drivers to pilot its 908 HDi against the venerable Audis at the famous 24-hour race, but that could step up a notch if the latest rumors from France hold any Evian.

Peugeot has registered three factory works cars to challenge Le Mans next year, plus one mystery car that has only been listed as a privateer entry. According to the latest reports, that entry could be fielded by Red Bull. The energy drink company has one of the most comprehensive networks of racing talent under its wings, but what's catching the most attention is three of its most prominent drivers.

Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, whose Citroen C4 rally car is sponsored by Red Bull, has raced Le Mans previously, and has been linked to a return to the endurance race. 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen will likewise be driving next year in a Red Bull-sponsored C4 fielded by Citroen (Peugeot's sister company). Finally, David Coulthard was largely responsible for Red Bull's foray into F1, and though retired from actively racing, remains an advisor and test driver for the team.

While these rumors could prove nothing more than exactly that, if Red Bull were to bring these three talents to La Sarthe, they would surely be a force to be reckoned with.


Gallery: Peugeot 908 HDi


[Source: AUTOhebdo via Le Blog Auto and Axis of Oversteer]

REPORT: Red Bull to place Raikkonen, Loeb and Coulthard in Peugeot 908 HDi at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mans24HeuresDuMans24HoursOfLeManscoulthard le manscoulthard peugeotCoulthardLeMansCoulthardPeugeotdavid coulthardDavidCoulthardkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenle mansLeMansloeb le mansloeb peugeotLoebLeMansLoebPeugeotpeugeotpeugeot 908peugeot 908 hdipeugeot le mansPeugeot908Peugeot908HdiPeugeotLeMansraikkonen le mansraikkonen peugeotRaikkonenLeMansRaikkonenPeugeotred bullred bull le mansRedBullRedBullLeManssebastien loebSebastienLoebFri, 11 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/kimi-raikkonen-signs-with-citroen-red-bull-rally-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/kimi-raikkonen-signs-with-citroen-red-bull-rally-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/05/kimi-raikkonen-signs-with-citroen-red-bull-rally-team/#commentsFiled under: ,



Kimi Räikkönen is now a WRC driver. The Flying Finn will pilot one of two Citroën CR4 Junior Team cars with Kaj Lindström as his co-driver. It's been in the works for a while, and from the sounds of it, no one appears to have any doubts that Raikkonen will do well there. Team boss Olivier Quesnel rates the ex-Ferrari pilot highly, saying, "What he did there in a S2000 was amazing," when speaking of Kimi's run in an Abarth in a Finnish rally earlier this year.

Even 2003 WRC title winner Petter Solberg puts Kimi in with a shout, commenting, "If he's in a decent World Rally Car next season I think he could finish between third and fifth on some rallies." This will put four Citroën cars in next year's Championship, with returning title winners Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, Dani Sordo and Marc Marti, plus the junior cars of Räikkönen/Lindström and Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia. You can check out Citroën's official release after the jump.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team

Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citroenkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenmotorsportsworld rally championshipWorldRallyChampionshipwrcSat, 05 Dec 2009 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/22/universal-soldiers-f1-aces-raikkonen-vettel-and-kubica-lured-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/22/universal-soldiers-f1-aces-raikkonen-vettel-and-kubica-lured-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/22/universal-soldiers-f1-aces-raikkonen-vettel-and-kubica-lured-b/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It used to be that a racing driver would pick his form of motorsport at the beginning of his career and stick with it for the duration. Sure, there have been a few notable exceptions - especially among the Finns - but these days, it seems as if the exceptions are gaining on the norm. F1 drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya are moving to NASCAR, WRC aces like Sebastien Loeb and MotoGP champs like Valentio Rossi are trying their hand at F1, while F1 champs like Michael Schumacher are checking out motorbike racing. But the latest trend has a growing number of current, active Formula One drivers contesting rallies on the world stage.

The most notable is Kimi Raikkonen, who has driven a few rallies behind the wheel of his own Punto Abarth. Now that he's looking to sit out of the next F1 season, all indications are that the departing Ferrari driver will find his way into the WRC. While downplaying the lingering prospect of the 2007 Formula One champion racing for the newly-christened Mercedes Grand Prix team next season, his managers are reportedly hard at work to get him a WRC drive for 2010. The most likely scenario would place Raikkonen with Citroen: Both the French rally team and the Finnish driver are sponsored by Red Bull, and the rapprochement could could pave the way for Kimi to return to F1 in 2011 for Red Bull Racing.

Even Red Bull's current F1 ace, Sebastian Vettel, has reportedly expressed interest in trying his hand at rallying, although his team principal is reportedly against the idea. After winning the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions together with Schumacher three years running, the young German has certainly demonstrated the versatility of his talent.

Meanwhile, the highly-rated Robert Kubica is preparing for his second rally since leaving BMW Sauber for the Renault F1 team. After a dismal first attempt, the Pole is set to return to the wheel of a Renaultsport Clio R3 Maxi for the final round of the French Rally Championship at Var next weekend. If Kubica manages to finish this time around, we could yet see more F1 drivers following him onto the rally scene.

[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kimikimi raikkonenkimi raikkonen wrcKimiRaikkonenKimiRaikkonenWrckubicaraikkonenrobertrobert kubicarobert kubica rallyrobert kubica renaultRobertKubicaRobertKubicaRallyRobertKubicaRenaultsebastiansebastian vettelsebastian vettel rallysebastian vettel wrcSebastianVettelSebastianVettelRallySebastianVettelWrcvettelSun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ferrari figures Raikkonen, Schumacher and Montezemolo to leave their F1 posts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/18/report-ferrari-figures-raikkonen-schumacher-and-montezemolo-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The times they are a-changin' in Maranello. As if the departures of Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn and Jean Todt over the past few years wasn't enough to shake things up for the Scuderia, a new round of change-ups is looming on the horizon.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 World Champion who Ferrari is paying to vacate his seat in order to make room for Fernando Alonso. Following earlier reports that Kimi would stand to make more by sitting out next season, the Finnish driver's manager has reportedly announced that he'll be taking a sabbatical. This, after negotiations with McLaren broke down over such issues as salary, promotional obligations and freedom to drive the occasional rally. Raikkonen's repeatedly reiterated that he's only interested in a winning team, and could take the year to hone his rally skills instead. A tie-in with Red Bull could provide him with a WRC drive and a return to F1 for 2011.

Meanwhile, Kimi's predecessor, Michael Schumacher, is reportedly changing his role with the team as well. For the past couple of seasons, Schumi has served as a special adviser to the Scuderia, often showing his smiling mug on the pit wall at various grand prix events. But while the seven-time World Champion has signed on for another three years to help with the development of future Ferrari road cars, his F1 role with the team has apparently ended. In an effort to sort out why Schumi won't be active with the team any longer, speculation has escalated that Michael could reunite with Ross Brawn and return to the cockpit as a driver for the newly christened Mercedes Grand Prix team, while others suggest he could join his former boss Jean Todt with a role in the FIA.

Finally, Luca di Montezemolo is eying a change in his role as well. The chairman isn't leaving his post as head of either Ferrari or parent company Fiat, but he has announced that he's likely to step down as head of the Formula One Teams Association. The representative body was formed to negotiate on the teams' behalf with the FIA and Formula One Management, but with Montezemolo's longtime underling Todt now heading the FIA, many have been citing a potential conflict of interest. For his part, Montezemolo says he wants to concentrate on his job as chairman of the Italian automakers. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Sources: Autosport and Autocar | Image: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty]

REPORT: Ferrari figures Raikkonen, Schumacher and Montezemolo to leave their F1 posts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1ferrari raikkonenFerrariRaikkonenformula 1formula oneformula one teams associationFormula1FormulaOneFormulaOneTeamsAssociationFOTAkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenluca di montezemoloLucaDiMontezemolomercedes schumacherMercedesSchumachermichael schumacherMichaelSchumachermontezemoloraikkonenrally raikkonenRallyRaikkonenred bull raikkonenRedBullRaikkonenschumacherschumacher brawnSchumacherBrawnwrc raikkonenWrcRaikkonenWed, 18 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mo' Money, Fewer Problems: Can Raikkonen earn more by <i>not</i> racing?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/mo-money-fewer-problems-can-raikkonen-earn-more-by-i-not-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/mo-money-fewer-problems-can-raikkonen-earn-more-by-i-not-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/mo-money-fewer-problems-can-raikkonen-earn-more-by-i-not-i/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you scoffed at the notion that unionized auto workers were being paid not to work, you're going to love this one: According to reports emerging from Europe, Kimi Raikkonen could stand to make more money next year if he doesn't race than if he does.

The bizarre circumstance comes down to the terms of his departure from Scuderia Ferrari. Kimi was reportedly offered a whopping 17 million euros in order to make room for an incoming Fernando Alonso, but that's only if he doesn't find a suitable seat with another team. If he does, Ferrari will only be required to pay the 2007 world champion 5 million 10 million euros (corrected). Seeing an opportunity to get a world champion on the cheap, McLaren is reportedly offering Raikkonen only 5 million euros to drive for them, knowing that Ferrari - and migrating sponsor Santander - will cough up the rest.

That means Kimi would make 15 million euros if he drove again for McLaren next year - which is tipped to be the one and only team he's considering - but 17 million if he sat the year out. Of course negotiations are ongoing, but all things being equal, the Finn could be looking at one very lucrative year off.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via F1-Live | Image: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty]

Mo' Money, Fewer Problems: Can Raikkonen earn more by not racing? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ferrarikimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenmclarenraikkonenraikkonen ferrariraikkonen mclarenRaikkonenFerrariRaikkonenMclarenscuderia ferrariScuderiaFerrariMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/end-of-year-shuffle-14-formula-one-teams-swap-drivers-for-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you thought the series of driver changes in the middle of this ongoing Formula One season was something, it's nothing compared to the grand game of musical chairs expected to ensue as the season draws to a close. With BMW closing up shop, several new teams joining the grid and at least a couple of former world champions switching teams for next year's championship, we're shaping up for the biggest jumble the F1 circus has seen in years. Follow the jump to see how it's unfolding so far.

[Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010

End of Year Shuffle: 14 Formula One teams swap drivers for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 fia formula one world champion2010 formula one2010FiaFormulaOneWorldChampion2010FormulaOneadian sutilAdianSutilalguersuarialonsobarrichellobrawlBrawn GPBrawnGpbuemibuttoncamposcampos metaCamposMetaf1f1 driversF1Driversfelipe massaFelipeMassafernando alonsoFernandoAlonsoFerrarifisichellaformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOneGiancarlo FisichellaGiancarloFisichellaglockgrosjeanheidfeldJaime AlguersuariJaimeAlguersuarijarno trulliJarnoTrullijenson buttonJensonButtonkazuki nakajimaKazukiNakajimakimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenkubicaliuzziLotuslotus f1LotusF1manormark webberMarkWebbermassamclarennakajimanick heidfeldNickHeidfeldnico rosbergNicoRosbergraikkonenred bullred bull racingRedBullRedBullRacingrobert kubicaRobertKubicaromain grosjeanRomainGrosjeanrosbergrubens barrichelloRubensBarrichelloscuderia toro rossoScuderiaToroRossosebastian vettelSebastianVettelsebastien buemiSebastienBuemisutiltimo glockTimoGlocktonio liuzziTonioLiuzzitoro rossoToroRossotoyotatoyota f1ToyotaF1trullius f1UsF1vettelvitantonio liuzziVitantonioLiuzziwebberwilliamsThu, 08 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/officially-official-fernando-alonso-signs-with-ferrari-f1-for-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/officially-official-fernando-alonso-signs-with-ferrari-f1-for-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/officially-official-fernando-alonso-signs-with-ferrari-f1-for-t/#commentsFiled under: ,



In a deal that seems to have been years in the making, Ferrari has finally made an official announcement: Fernando Alonso will be driving for the Prancing Horse in 2010. Rumors of Alonso going to the team from Maranello started back during the Spaniard's first stint with Renault, but circumstances with driver lineups didn't allow for it. Instead, Alonso went to McLaren for one very unhappy season before returning to France.

Since then, Alonso's fortunes have been mixed and stories of the Italian job have persisted. According to official statements from Ferrari today, an agreement had been reached earlier in the summer for Alonso to move to the Italian team in 2011. However, recent circumstances with the so-called Crashgate fiasco and the departure of team boss Flavio Briatore and sponsor ING have caused the date to be moved ahead a year. Alonso's Ferrari deal runs for three years.

As expected, current driver Kimi Raikkonen will be departing a year before the end of his contract, although his future remains uncertain. Recent rumors have had him returning to McLaren, although earlier this year it was thought he might switch to the World Rally Championship.

[Source: Ferrari | Source Image: Vanderlei AlmeidaAFP/Getty]

Continue reading Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years

Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1falsefernando alonsofernando-alonsoFernandoAlonsoferrariferrari f1ferrari formula 1FerrariF1FerrariFormula1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnekimi raikkonenkimi-raikkonenKimiRaikkonenrenaultrenault f1renaultf1Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ferrari F1 set to announce Alonso acquisition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/report-ferrari-f1-set-to-announce-alonso-acquisition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/report-ferrari-f1-set-to-announce-alonso-acquisition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/report-ferrari-f1-set-to-announce-alonso-acquisition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Apparently, the long-rumored Fernando Alonso to Ferrari announcement is now all but official. According to a report from the BBC, the 28-year-old driver has signed a two-year contract with options to extend that will earn the Spaniard a tidy salary of roughly 19 to 25 million euros ($27 to $36 million) per year.

An official announcement could come as early as this weekend at the Suzuka Grand Prix in Japan. As expected, Alonso will be paired up with current Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, whose spot is currently being filled in by Giancarlo Fisichella while the Brazilian is recovering from injuries sustained during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Kimi Raikkonen could possibly make the move back to McLaren, and current BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica is rumored to be taking Alonso's place at Renault. Tune back in tomorrow for another installation of How the F1 World Turns... Tip of the hat to Cheech McGovern!

[Source: BBC | Image: ph-stop - CC 2.0]

REPORT: Ferrari F1 set to announce Alonso acquisition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to British newspaper the Mirror, Kimi Raikkonen could be driving for McLaren next year. The Iceman drove for Ron Dennis' outfit from 2002 to 2006 and scored plenty of victories but couldn't get the World Championship. Then he left for Ferrari in 2007 where he promptly won the World Championship the first year.

This season rumors have persisted that Fernando Alonso is moving to Ferrari next year. Seemingly in support of that, the only thing Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari team head Stefano Domenicali would say about next year is that Raikkonen has contracted for next year -- neither would say that the driver would actually be there.

The hitch in this latest story is that Kimi will only vacate the seat if he is paid his full salary, something like $49 million. If one adds Massa's salary and the salary one could expect to Alonso to make to that, 2010 would make for a stupendously expensive driver's budget. With Alonso cleared of any sanctions in Renault's crash-gate, it looks like Ferrari has some decisions to make -- forty-nine million of them...

[Source: F1 Live | Image Source: Paul Gilham/Getty]

Rumormill: Raikkonen could be back at McLaren in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f1falsefernando alonsoFernandoAlonsoferrariferrari f1FerrariF1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnekimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenmclarenmclaren f1mclaren-mercedesMclarenF1motorsportsrenaultrenault f1RenaultF1Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Reversals of Fortune at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/30/spoiler-alert-reversals-of-fortune-at-the-2009-belgian-grand-pr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/30/spoiler-alert-reversals-of-fortune-at-the-2009-belgian-grand-pr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/30/spoiler-alert-reversals-of-fortune-at-the-2009-belgian-grand-pr/#commentsFiled under: ,

2009 Belgian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

You asked for it, you got it, racing fans. For decades, Formula One has been dominated by a handful of teams. The world titles have been shared between Ferrari, McLaren, Renault (formerly known as Benetton) and Williams since 1984. And the fans complained: Not enough competition. The small teams stand no chance of winning. Bigger budgets mean bigger trophy cases. And so on and so forth. Well this season has certainly shaken things up. Teams that were once relegated to the back of the field have been winning races, while that quartet of formerly elite teams has been scrambling to keep up. But while Jenson Button and Brawn GP's dominance at the start of the season came as a huge, almost entirely unprecedented surprise to everyone inside or outside the world of grand prix racing, nobody could have anticipated what happened this weekend.

Those who tuned in on Saturday for the qualifying sessions at the Belgian Grand Prix were shocked to find Giancarlo Fisichella and his Force India car sitting on pole. Yes, Force India. The team that never scored a single point, never crossed under the checkered flag in any position better than ninth, and seems to retire from as many races as it finishes. Behind him on the starting grid came fellow Italian Jarno Trulli in his Toyota, followed by BMW's Nick Heidfeld. The big names, meanwhile, were scattered down the order: Rubens Barrichello, fresh off his victory in Valencia, qualified fourth. Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, sixth. Red Bull's pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber - the main challengers to Brawn's title lead - placed eighth and ninth, while defending champion Lewis Hamilton, two-time world champ Fernando Alonso and title leader Jenson Button qualified twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth, respectively. That's one heck of a messed-up starting grid, especially on a circuit as universally loved by the drivers as Spa Francorchamps. But how the race would unfold would prove just as surprising. Follow the jump to read on.

Gallery: 2009 Belgian Grand Prix

90184276_1090184304_1090184519_1090184817_1090184603_10


Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Reversals of Fortune at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Reversals of Fortune at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belgian gpbelgian grand prixBelgianGpBelgianGrandPrixbelgiumf1falseformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnefrancorchampsgiancarlo fisichellaGiancarloFisichellagpgrand prixGrandPrixkimi raikkonenKimiRaikkonenspaspa francorchampsSpaFrancorchampsSun, 30 Aug 2009 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat rally team, VW to follow?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/rumormill-raikkonen-to-leave-ferrari-for-new-fiat-rally-team-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/rumormill-raikkonen-to-leave-ferrari-for-new-fiat-rally-team-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/18/rumormill-raikkonen-to-leave-ferrari-for-new-fiat-rally-team-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Raikkonen drives Rally Finland in a Fiat Punto Abarth

The World Rally Championship is targeting the participation of four major manufacturers within the next two seasons, and according to the latest scuttlebutt, they just might get what they are wishing for. At the turn of the millennium, the premier rally series had seven manufacturers, but series organizers and promoters reportedly feel that four would make for a more competitive environment.

Suzuki and Subaru recently withdrew their works teams from the championship, leaving Ford and Citroën as the only manufacturers in the sport together with the independent customer teams. Both Volkswagen and Fiat are expected to launch WRC efforts in the near future, but it's Fiat's initiative that's garnering the most interest in the motorsport press, as it's rumored to include one very big name.

According to rumors, Kimi Raikkonen will leave Formula One and Scuderia Ferrari to lead the Fiat rally team, expected to compete under the Abarth name. Raikkonen recently contested a series of rallies in his spare time behind the wheel of his own S2000-spec Fiat Punto Abarth (pictured above), adding fuel to the speculation suggesting that Raikkonen could have his existing contract with Ferrari simply transferred over to the Abarth outfit, as it falls under the same Fiat group umbrella as Ferrari. The move would make room for Fernando Alonso to take Kimi's place in the culmination of a long anticipated move for the Spanish champion.

[Source: Autosport and Pitpass | Image: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty]

Rumormill: Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat rally team, VW to follow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Hungarian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Jenson Button and his Brawn GP team cast a dominating shadow over the start of this year's Formula One World Championship, taking the checkered flag at six out of the seven races this season to take a commanding lead for the title. But as Button and Brawn cast a dark shadow over the competition, the skies over the paddock at this past weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix were darkened even further, with the drivers getting a taste of their own mortality after Felipe Massa was hospitalized with severe injuries to his head after being hit by a spring during Saturday's qualifying session.

Driving an F1 car - in a grand prix no less - takes an extraordinarily focused person, ignoring the laws of physics and all that can go wrong in order to even get some heat into the tires, much less extract the car's true performance potential. Winning a grand prix takes an even more rarified breed of individual, outgunning the other exceptionally talented and driven drivers to claim victory. Only 102 people have managed that feat in the history of the sport. But it takes a champion to see a fallen comrade and still marshal the fortitude to reel in the win.


Gallery: 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Of Champions and Shadows at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

REPORT: Kimi Räikkönen set to retire from F1 after 2009 season originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valentino Rossi tests a Ferrari F1 car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Typically F1 drivers come up through the formula racing ladder. But for every rule there's an exception, and that exception seems to be creeping up for Ferrari, who are facing a potential change-up in drivers that involves not just numerous racing classes but varied disciplines of motorsports.

First up is Kimi Raikkonen, the team's 2007 world champion who's been trying his hand at rallying. The Finnish driver has contested local-level rallies with limited success, but remains undeterred in entering the World Rally Championship stage in Finland next month. The event will be the first top-level rally for Raikkonen, and also the first professional rally on agravel surface following previous outings on ice, snow and asphalt. Given his level of performance lately in F1, if Kimi finds his footing in rally, he could make the switch.

If Kimi were to jump ship from F1, there's no lack of talent out for Ferrari, but the Scuderia could reach into a different talent pool and bring Valentino Rossi on board. The multiple MotoGP champion has tested for Ferrari on several occasions to considerable effect, and could be ripe for a switch from two wheels to four. But even if Kimi stays in F1, Rossi could find himself with an open door just the same as reports indicate that the terms of the new arrangement between the FIA and FOTA could make way for teams to field a third car in F1 in the near future.

[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]

Musical Chairs: Kimi contests WRC Finland, Rossi considers Ferrari, F1 could grow 3rd car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari announced during the first practice day of this weekend's Monza GP that Kimi Raikkonen's contract has been extended by one year. This mean's he's locked into service with the scuderia until the end of 2010, which is the same time Felipe Massa's contract runs out. Terms of the extension weren't disclosed, but the fact that Ferrari re-signed the Iceman means they aren't nearly as worried about his recent form as the rest of the paddock appears to be. It also means that Fernando Alonso can now decide where he wants to go for at least two years and get the silly season officially over with.

[Source: F1 Live]

F1: Ferrari holds on to its Finn -- Raikkonen extends to 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix

Upsets, upsets and more upsets. The Formula One racing world thought it had put the politics between Ferrari and McLaren to rest, but the controversy between the two front-running teams reared its ugly head once more at this past weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Follow the jump to read how the weekend's events unfolded, and how the race results were turned on its head once again.

Gallery: 2008 F1 Belgian Grand Prix


Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: McLaren and Ferrari embroiled in more controversy at the Belgian GP

SPOILER ALERT: McLaren and Ferrari embroiled in more controversy at the Belgian GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The closer we get to the end of this season and to the start of the next, the clearer the picture will become as to which drivers will be where for the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. While his team was undergoing testing alongside its competitors at the Monza track in Italy, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo placed one of the bigger pieces in the puzzle in confirming that Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa would both be back in scarlet for next season. Although towards the beginning of the season it was onto Massa's future which doubt was cast, by now the tides have changed in that Kimi's performance has lagged behind his team-mate and it's Raikkonen's future that was being debated in the press. However Montezemolo confirmed that neither driver would be replaced for the coming season.

While in the paddock, Montezemolo also visited former champion Fernando Alonso and current leader Lewis Hamilton, but insisted that Alonso, who has been rumored to be angling for a seat with Ferrari, would have to wait at least a little while longer. Montezemolo also took the opportunity to express his displeasure with the new tracks being mixed into the calendar, stating that because overtaking is so difficult on these new circuits, the winner is often pre-determined in qualifying.

[Source: F1-Live Image: Andreas Solaro/Getty]

Ferrari confirms Kimi and Felipe for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the European Grand Prix

There are many grands prix in Europe, but there is only one European Grand Pix. Although the title was originally awarded as a badge of prestige to one race on the continent each year, over the last quarter century the name has allowed a second round in the Formula One World Championship to be held in a country that already hosts a race under its own name. With the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix already behind us, this year's European Grand Prix was held at the new street course in Valencia, Spain.

Not to be confused with the Circuit de Valencia that is often used as an F1 test track, the new Circuito Urbano Valencia was designed by prolific track architect Hermann Tilke and is lauded for combining a highly challenging set of 25 turns with a Monaco-like atmosphere - complete with views of the Mediterranean and a marina - and a unique bridge straight. The new location made for a an exciting setting for this past weekend's race, jam packed with race action to throw this year's championship further into flux. Follow the jump to see how it unfolded.

Gallery: F1 Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia, Spain


Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: the new European Grand Prix at Valencia

SPOILER ALERT: the new European Grand Prix at Valencia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula One is fast, and fast is dangerous. That's the assumption formed on the basis of decades of fatal crashes in the sport when the slow advancement of safety measures couldn't keep up with the ever-increasing speeds of grand prix racing. But those assumptions and those safety measures were again put to the test this weekend in Spain, where McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen crashed at 220 km/h (137mph) into a wall of tires, resulting in an estimated impact force of 26 Gs. The crash, which occurred on the 22nd lap of the race, was attributed to a wheel/tire malfunction, and Kovalainen is expected to return in two weeks to race in Turkey.

As jarring as it was, Heikki's crash was only one of the many times the safety car was deployed in a race that was dominated by the color yellow of the caution flag. The next most dominant color at Catalunya, however, was surely red, as Ferrari dominated the race virtually from start to finish, with Kimi Raikkonen sailing to an easy checkered flag with his team mate Felipe Massa close behind. Towards the end of the race, Kovalainen's teammate Lewis Hamilton was closing in on Massa, but ended up taking the third step on the podium, giving defending champion Raikkonen a commanding nine point lead over Hamilton. The perfect finish for Ferrari likewise gave the team a commanding lead in the constructors' championship, leading 47 to BMW Sauber's 35 and McLaren's 34. BMW, which entered the race with the lead for the constructors' title, didn't fair as well as hoped, with Kubica finishing an admirable fourth while his teammate Heidfeld came in outside the points in 9th after suffering a drive-through penalty. However, that wasn't nearly as bad as second-tier rival Renault did under the Spanish sun, with neither local hero Fernando Alonso nor his teammate Nelsinho Piquet completing the race. All in all, a shocking nine drivers retired before the last lap, including Nico Rosberg (Williams), Rubens Barrichello (Honda), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Anthony Davidson (Super Aguri), both the Toro Rosso drivers (Bourdais and Vettel) in addition to the Renaults and the aforementioned Kovalainen.

Follow the jump for the full results, current standings after four rounds of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship and a video of Kovalainen's crash.

Gallery: 2008 Spanish Grand Prix


[Source: Autosport]

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Crashes aplenty at the Spanish Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Crashes aplenty at the Spanish Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Loyalty is not one of the qualities generally displayed in the Formula One circus. The market for grand prix drivers is as fluid as the Mediterranean, but Kimi Raikkonen says he's at home. The returning champion has two years left on his contract with Ferrari, and though he doesn't know what he'll decide to do when his contract runs out, he's declared that he sees no reason to move to another F1 team.

Speaking with the Spanish newspaper Marca while leading the time boards at the official testing sessions at the Valencia circuit, Raikkonen says that at the end of next year, he'll either stay with Ferrari, retire from motorsports or possibly contest a few rallies. One way or another, it's got to be a relief for Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo. CEO Jean Todt and team principal Stefano Domenicali says that, assuming Kimi keeps his word, they'll never have to worry about chasing the Ice Man around the track again.

[Source: F1-Live, Photo by DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty]

The Finnish Line: Raikkonen says he'll end his career at Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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