Obviously the choice of replacements is poor. Bottas, Grosjean not up to standard. Ricciardo, Verstappen under Red Bull Iron Bars Marciello Too Inexperienced and Bianchi sadly not with us anymore. Kimi though has been poor the last 2 years so Is very very lucky
Big Kimi fan but very surprised - can only assume that Vettel had a big say. As stated though the alternatives weren't great!
Hulk would have been much cheaper, much younger, much better, and now we have to stick up with granddad complaining every weekend again! Yay!
Disappointing move by Ferrari from a fans' perspective, but one I suspect was made out of loyalty for Raikkonen's long service, a value which is often forgotten in the modern F1 world.
Same. His record of late is odd. He's had some races where he's looked very good and failed to get the points he probably deserved, and others where he's been woeful. Bottas costing £10m is just a step too far. He's the only really decent option not tied into a ridiculous contract. I think Ferrari are gambling on Kimi not getting any worse, and the options on the market being better next year.
Disappointing in some ways but it is all about timing in F1- and the other stars aren't available or are still learning. At least it gives Ferrari a settled and consistent platform to continue their development, which is important given their trials and tribulations over the past 5 or 6 years. Would love to see Ricciardo in a quick car again but his time will come. In a McLaren I suspect one day because Vettel won't want him. EDIT: I know I said quick car- in 3 or 4 years maybe
I still think there is a really good driver in there, but agree these days it's very much a Webber type thing. He might, in the right car have 2 or 3 races a year where he has Seb all weekend, but overall Seb more than has his measure and more consistency to boot. Think the lack of real alternatives forced their hand, 10 million for the spectacularly average Bottas was always a no go, Ricciardo and Vettel again? not sure Seb would be happy, Hulkenberg they had ruled out for being too German, Which left them either throwing a rookie in (Not the Ferrari way), going for a wildcard like Vergne (which IMO would have been very interesting), Gutierrez or re-sign Kimi. Ftw, i reckon Grosjean would have been worth a look for them,
If they back Hungary up at Belgium and Italy I'll be with you- however I think Budapest suited them and they've been bang average this season.
the day has come that Kimi is now regarded as a decent no.2! I wonder if Ferrari have decided not to buy Bottas out of his contract for 2016 and will sign him as a free agent for 2017.
This was my first thought as well, they could also look at Vergne and (if they care, which they may not) Hulkenberg.
All rumours, but there has been some suggestion that Vergne may end up at Haas as part of their engine deal. Do wonder if Hulks time has come. If he doesn't get Ferrari he may as well accept that his shot at the big time in F1 will never happen.
I think Hulk can put a top drive behind him now. Maybe could get a year in a Ferrari 17/18, don't see it now though.
"We don't have egos that stand in the way of the team." http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/vettel-backs-ferrari-decision-to-keep-raikkonen #burn for a certain someone?
Kimi has always been a bit of a hit or miss driver for me, he's always lacked consistency and can blow cold for months, I think he succeeded on Hakkinens coat-tails. There's also the atmosphere at Ferrari, who seem to have moved away from having discordant drivers yeah, but whom? the now retired RBR driver, or Ferrari's former no.1?
Kimi is there to run as Vettels back up now. Think Seb chose him just because they are good mates. And we thought Ricciardo was in for a seat!
not necessarily, he spent five years with an egotistical team-mate who ran his mouth off to the press at every opportunity. Plus it might not even be a driver he is digging at, Ferrari has been less than harmonious for a number of years, mainly due to the ego's at the top.
Tobias Grüner F1 @tgruener 6h6 hours ago Looks like Red Bull just terminated 2016 engine contract but Renault doesn't accept it. AMuS: http://ams.to/red-bull-renault…
