From Auto Motor und Sport
Are yesterday's F1 stars Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica already good for retirement? Not quite it seems.
For some time now, 2007 world champion Raikkonen has been linked to a Williams race seat, and up to recently, it appeared to be only a matter of time before the deal was announced. The news broke out however, that Raikkonen, and his Middle Eastern partners, were actually looking into buying shares – up to 20% – of the Williams team.
Raikkonen already has experience in team ownership – he was involved with a F3 team between 2004 and 2010. But this doesn't mean Williams is interested in selling. Patrick Head and Franck Williams are known to be stubborn when it comes to selling their beloved team. Even though, it has to be said, they are struggling financially.
Their lack of enthusiasm towards selling could explain why Raikkonen's agent got in touch with Lotus Renault's Eric Boullier. Genii Capital – the team owners – are said to be much more receptive to sharing the team than Head and Patrick. Only, Renault already have their hands full of drivers.
Four of them, to be precise, are currently competing for the two race seats available. Kubica's comeback for 2012 remains uncertain, which makes the return of Romain Grosjean more probable. Bruno Senna looked good for the second seat, especially in the aftermath of his team-mate Vitaly Petrov's outburst. But the Russian apologized, and his place it the team now seems to be secured. After all, he does have a contract in his pocket for next year.
Which is more than can be said of Kubica, whose current contract only runs until the end of 2011. Legally speaking, this means the team could sack him for 2012 and go with Petrov and Grosjean. Morally however, the question remains. If the two parties decide to part ways – and Kubica is able to prove he hasn't lost his touch – other teams will be interested in grabbing the Pole.
Is there a chance he could join Ferrari?
In recent years, the Italian squad has suffered, compared to rivals Red Bull and McLaren, of having only one top driver. Felipe Massa's poor form hasn't cost him his 2012 Ferrari-ride yet, but it's unlikely he will stay with the team beyond his contract. Certainly, the Kubica's timing would be perfect, and his presence welcomed, at least by Alonso – a good friend of the 26-year-old polish driver.
Are yesterday's F1 stars Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica already good for retirement? Not quite it seems.
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| Who will have Kubica's drive in 2012? (Photo: WRi2) |
For some time now, 2007 world champion Raikkonen has been linked to a Williams race seat, and up to recently, it appeared to be only a matter of time before the deal was announced. The news broke out however, that Raikkonen, and his Middle Eastern partners, were actually looking into buying shares – up to 20% – of the Williams team.
Raikkonen already has experience in team ownership – he was involved with a F3 team between 2004 and 2010. But this doesn't mean Williams is interested in selling. Patrick Head and Franck Williams are known to be stubborn when it comes to selling their beloved team. Even though, it has to be said, they are struggling financially.
Their lack of enthusiasm towards selling could explain why Raikkonen's agent got in touch with Lotus Renault's Eric Boullier. Genii Capital – the team owners – are said to be much more receptive to sharing the team than Head and Patrick. Only, Renault already have their hands full of drivers.
Four of them, to be precise, are currently competing for the two race seats available. Kubica's comeback for 2012 remains uncertain, which makes the return of Romain Grosjean more probable. Bruno Senna looked good for the second seat, especially in the aftermath of his team-mate Vitaly Petrov's outburst. But the Russian apologized, and his place it the team now seems to be secured. After all, he does have a contract in his pocket for next year.
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| Romain Grosjean, the Kubica of tomorrow? (Photo: GP2) |
Which is more than can be said of Kubica, whose current contract only runs until the end of 2011. Legally speaking, this means the team could sack him for 2012 and go with Petrov and Grosjean. Morally however, the question remains. If the two parties decide to part ways – and Kubica is able to prove he hasn't lost his touch – other teams will be interested in grabbing the Pole.
Is there a chance he could join Ferrari?
In recent years, the Italian squad has suffered, compared to rivals Red Bull and McLaren, of having only one top driver. Felipe Massa's poor form hasn't cost him his 2012 Ferrari-ride yet, but it's unlikely he will stay with the team beyond his contract. Certainly, the Kubica's timing would be perfect, and his presence welcomed, at least by Alonso – a good friend of the 26-year-old polish driver.
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| How long until Massa is out the Ferrari door? (Photo: Ferrari) |