Autoblog

Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST

Few drivers have caused the kind of speculation that Kimi Raikkonen has in the past few years alone. Will he take a Ferrari payoff and make way for Fernando Alonso? Will he find another ride in Formula One? Will he make it in the World Rally Championship? Will he make a real go of it in NASCAR? Will he ever come back to F1? And if so, with which team? Well, the speculation can now stop - or at least change focus - because the 2007 World Champion has officially returned to Formula One.

After signing on with the Lotus team (previously known as Renault, and before that as Benneton and Toleman), Raikkonen has had his first chance to get behind the wheel of a modern F1 car since leaving the Scuderia at the end of 2009. The test took place over the course of two days at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain. But since driving the current car with current tires would constitute an unfair advantage under the present regulations, Kimi was stuck driving the 2010 Renault R30 on demonstration tires (probably from the GP2 series) with a fresh coat of paint (and a new helmet design).

The acclimation run appears to have gone smoothly enough, but we'll have to wait until the start of the season in March to see if Raikkonen's still got what it takes. Then Raikkonen will be squaring off against a huge field of fellow former World Champions, including Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Follow the jump to watch the video clip.

Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video]

Kimi Raikkonen marks official return to F1 with Lotus test run [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raikkonen negotiating F1 return with Williams

Noah Joseph — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Over the course of his nine seasons on the Formula One grid, Kimi Raikkonen only drove for a handful of teams, making his debut with Sauber before switching to McLaren in only his second season, then to Ferrari after five seasons for another three more that included his solitary World Championship. But since his departure two years ago, the Finnish driver has been linked to more teams than he ever drove for in the first place.

Rumors have had him plotting his return with Renault, Red Bull, Toyota, Mercedes GP and even a test role with Pirelli. All this in addition to competing in the World Rally Championship, NASCAR, and potentially at Le Mans, making the 2007 World Champion arguably the most versatile - and enigmatic - pro driver in the world. But while previous negotiations have apparently all failed (or failed to satisfy his conditions) they're not about to die. At least the rumors won't.

The latest reports place Raikkonen at Williams, the team reportedly confirming that it recently hosted the former champ at its headquarters in Grove, England. Of course, that doesn't mean that Kimi has signed with the once-great team, but we can't imagine him sightseeing in the British midlands without purpose, either.

It's no great secret that Williams - wielder of seven Drivers' Titles, nine Constructors' Championships and 113 grand prix victories - is very far from its glory days, but with a new engine supply deal with Renault and an injection of fresh management and cash, there's no telling how quickly the team could find its pace once again. Especially with a proven talent like Raikkonen behind the wheel.

Raikkonen negotiating F1 return with Williams originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimi Raikkonen to test Peugeot 908 for possible Le Mans drive

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Peugeot

You name it, Kimi Raikkonen has raced it. When the 2007 World Champion tired of Formula One, he switched to the World Rally Championship. When that got boring, he tried his hand at NASCAR. And now he could be gearing up for an assault on Le Mans.

The opportunity is reportedly coming from no less capable at team than Peugeot, the only team to beat Audi since the turn of the millennium (excluding Bentley, which raced with Audi's support). According to Autosport, the Finnish driver is set to test their 908 prototype with an eye towards possibly driving for the team at Le Mans next year. Kimi himself is quoted as saying he wouldn't want to compete at the solitary event without running other endurance races in order to practice, but working the races into his WRC and NASCAR schedule could prove tricky.

Raikkonen wouldn't be the first F1 driver to drive for Peugeot. In recent years the team's roster has included such former grand prix pilots as Jacques Villeneuve, Sebastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Alex Wurz. Were he to win, however, he would be one of only a handful of drivers to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula One World Championship (as well as the Monaco Grand Prix, for that matter), joining the elite company of Graham Hill, Mike Hawthorn, Phil Hill and Jochen Rindt, and placing him as a serious contender for the elusive Triple Crown of Motorsport.

Kimi Raikkonen to test Peugeot 908 for possible Le Mans drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raikkonen makes a solid debut in NASCAR

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Racing

Former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen made his NASCAR debut yesterday, driving the No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota Tundra in the Camping World Truck Series NC Education Lottery 200.

Starting from the 31st position, Raikkonen finished 15th, crossing the line on the same lap as the race leaders. At one point, Raikkonen ran as high as seventh, but fell back when he missed a crucial pit stop. Along the way, he survived several close calls as multi-car collisions unfolded in front of him and he picked his way through the debris. Raikkonen's teammate Kyle Busch took the win.

What's next for Raikkonen? The Finn plans to return to Charlotte next weekend to run the Nationwide Series race. He'll pilot a Toyota Camry fielded by NEMCO motorsports in partnership with Kyle Busch Motorsports.

The NASCAR race conflicts with the WRC rally in Argentina, but Raikkonen isn't scheduled to contest that round. His next WRC appearance will be at the Acropolis Rally in June. As for F1, the former champion hasn't ruled out a possible return if the conditions are right, but for now he appears to be taking things one step at a time.

Raikkonen makes a solid debut in NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 May 2011 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimi Raikkonen gears up for NASCAR truck debut with a little help from Perky Jerky

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Toyota, Racing

Arguably more than any other driver, Kimi Raikkonen has a penchant for breaking with convention and forging his own path. The Finnish driver started out in F1 amid protests over his relative lack of experience - having contested fewer than a dozen professional lower-level races in his career - and finished 10th in his debut championship.

The next season, he was driving for McLaren, the season after that he won his first grand prix, and within just a few years was crowned world champion for Ferrari. And when that got boring, he made an unprecedented moved to the World Rally Championship. But that's apparently wearing thin on a driver not known for sitting still, so off he goes to NASCAR.

We first broke the news of Kimi's plans back in March, and a few days later already had confirmation of his contract with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) to debut in the Camping World Truck Series - the entry point into NASCAR racing. Now he's set to make his oval-track debut this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and this is the truck he'll be driving.

The No. 15 Toyota Tundra is being fielded by KBM for Kimi's ICE1RACING team, and features sponsorship from - wait for it - Perky Jerky. The dried meat snack packs guarana (a plant with twice the caffeine of coffee) and was apparently invented when some guys spilled energy drink on their beef jerky while trapped on a ski lift. (Seriously, we couldn't make this stuff up.) Today it's the "official jerky of the Daytona 500", and should go down well with the Red Bull sponsorship on the Citroën DS3 which Raikkonen drives in the WRC. Official press release after the jump.

Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen gears up for NASCAR truck debut with a little help from Perky Jerky

Kimi Raikkonen gears up for NASCAR truck debut with a little help from Perky Jerky originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 May 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kimi Raikkonen to run limited 2011 schedule for Kyle Busch Motorsports

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Celebrities

The rumors are true. Former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen will run a limited schedule in the Camping World Truck Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2011. Raikkonen's debut is scheduled for May 20 in the N.C Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as owner Kyle Busch's teammate.

Raikkonen's nine-year F1 career saw 18 wins, 62 podium finishes and the 2007 Drivers' Championship. Since leaving the sport in 2009, Raikkonen has campaigned in World Rally Championship with his own team ICE 1 Racing.

Raikkonen's debut for KBM will be the first step in what the champ hopes will be a successful transition from open-wheel and rallying to NASCAR, a switch that fellow F1 champ Juan Pablo Montoya made in 2007. Raikkonen's sponsorship deal hasn't been revealed yet, but will be announced before the start of the Charlotte race.

[Source: Kyle Busch Motorsports | Image: (C) Gepa Pictures/McKlein/Red Bull Content Pool]

Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen to run limited 2011 schedule for Kyle Busch Motorsports

Kimi Raikkonen to run limited 2011 schedule for Kyle Busch Motorsports originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ken and Kimi to team up in WRC?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford, Citroën, Rumormill

After negotiations seemed to have broken down for an F1 return with Renault for 2011, Kimi Raikkonen appears to be settled on remaining in the World Rally Championship for at least another season. Just who the Finnish pilot will be driving for next year, however, remains a big question mark.

While the former F1 champion could remain with Citroën, one rumor circulating the paddock places him alongside American stuntman extraordinaire Ken Block in the Monster Ford World Rally Team. Block is reportedly optimistic on the prospect, but the outfit's funding for next season remains an issue. Raikkonen is sponsored by Red Bull, while Block and his team endorse rival energy drink brand Monster.

Could a star-studded, Taurine-fueled super-team be in the cards for next year's championship? We hope so...

[Source: Autosport Images: Massimo Bettiol/Getty, Roni Rekomaa/AFP/Getty]

Report: Ken and Kimi to team up in WRC? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What next for Kimi Raikkonen?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Rumormill

Every F1 season has its wild cards, but in his typical style, few have proven as wild as Kimi Raikkonen. When Ferrari cut his contract short at the end of last season, the 2007 world champion - who came within spitting distance of stealing the title in 2003 and 2005 too - shocked the motor racing world when he simply packed his helmet and switched disciplines to the World Rally Championship.

Now learning the rally ropes with highly-rated promise, Raikkonen is still proving the wildest of wild cards for next season and beyond. As a contracted Red Bull driver in the WRC, speculation has been rampant that the "Ice Man" could make his triumphant return to the grand prix scene behind the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car.

Infamously resistant to interviews, the Finn refused to comment on his next career move, but the brakes seem to have been put on the rumors when Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner nixed the idea. However, the team's influential "advisor" Helmut Marko - himself a former F1 driver and Le Mans winner - is reportedly in favor of replacing current championship leader Mark Webber - whose contract expires at the end of this season - with Raikkonen. Kimi's manager isn't ruling anything out, neither committing his client to another season in the WRC nor refuting the possibility of his return to F1.

So could Raikkonen be back in single-seaters with Red Bull next season? Entirely too early to say for sure, especially with reports that Felipe Massa is slated to stay with Ferrari, thereby closing that door for Webber. But for a talent as versatile as Kimi's, the sky is the proverbial limit.

[Source: ESPN]

What next for Kimi Raikkonen? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault, Citroën

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.

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Rumormill: Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat rally team, VW to follow?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Fiat, Rumormill

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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F1: Ferrari holds on to its Finn -- Raikkonen extends to 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

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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VIDEO: Raikkonen and Schumacher in Fiat Bravo commercial

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ferrari, Fiat

"So...wanna see a pensioner drive?"

Michael Schumacher casts a pretty big shadow over all of F1, and nobody knows it better than Kimi Raikkonen. That's bred a little animosity by Ferrari's latest world champion to his septuple-crown predecessor, but that hasn't stopped either from fulfilling their contractual obligations towards their corporate overlords at Fiat by appearing side-by side, swapping keys in a television commercial for the new Fiat Bravo.

The ad reminds us of a similar spot filmed with uber-rivals Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso earlier in the season for their employers at Mercedes-Benz. The same spirit of, ahem, "camaraderie" permeates this Fiat spot, filmed in German, in which Kimi and Michael take turns behind the wheel and riding shotgun. Follow the jump for the video, complete with - God bless 'em - English subtitles.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Raikkonen and Schumacher in Fiat Bravo commercial

VIDEO: Raikkonen and Schumacher in Fiat Bravo commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari's ?400 baseball cap

Alex Nunez — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Lifestyle

For many motorsports aficionados, allegiance to Ferrari transcends the lines of age and social class. Young and old, from the everyman to captains of industry, on race days the differences are tossed out the window and they gather en masse, a sea of red in the stands, as tifosi. Ferrari knows this, and as a result, its strength as a merchandiser is unparalleled in the automotive landscape. Leveraging its iconic logos, rich history and legions of owners and fans, it has created a machine that churns out collectibles and accessories designed to fit almost any budget.

And now, the tifosi have a new bauble to fight over, and it's priced for the deeper-pockets crowd. In honor of the 1-2 podium finish at the Turkish GP for Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari has offered 50 signed baseball caps. Each lid is autographed by both Felipe and Kimi, arrives in a big red Ferrari cardboard box, has a certificate of authenticity, and costs a whopping €400. On the Ferrari Store website, the conversion to USD is helpfully provided. $526.20 (plus VAT) worth of available credit on your plastic of choice is all it'll take. We don't recommend wearing this one to go out and mow the lawn. For that, we suggest the vastly more economical (yet still pricey at $33 USD) un-autographed version.

[Source: Ferrari Store]

Ferrari's ?400 baseball cap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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