So Kimi is out? Hammy is the oldest. And sadly the only driver on the grid older than me. Maybe I'll have to let go of my F1 career ambitions
Latest rumour is that Leclerc will be paid the Ferrari salary he has agreed - but will spend one more year at Sauber. Kimi would get another year.
This has been Kimi's best season in a long while, and he's still played the loyal #2 to Vettel. Leclerc's shown strong pace, but it's hard to know how he'd stack up at the front of the grid yet. He's also not as likely to be happy with a #2 role. Is there anything that Leclerc can offer in 2019 that Kimi isn't already doing well? I don't disagree that Leclerc is the future at Ferrari, but there's no rush to promote him. They might also get the chance to do a direct comparison with Giovinazzi next season, which will be a more interesting benchmark for Ferrari than Ericsson.
Kimi is doing OK, but is he really worth paying the salary of two drivers? He never picks up the pieces when it goes wrong for Seb, never takes points from Lewis and isn't better than Bottas at being no2. Marcus Ericsson is a pretty good benchmark i think, since he's been in F1 for ages and matched Wehrlein and Nasr (in qualifying), so for Leclerc to be thrashing him by an average of 6 tenths is very impressive. I think it's pretty unlikely that Ferrari will get both the Sauber seats anyway. Ericsson's backers still own the team. I think the worst case scenario is him matching what Kimi is doing, so why not? Especially if it's already signed.
I just think it's time for Kimi to go . He's had his time , he's annoying me now . I know that has bugger all to do with racing , but it's annoying ( to me ) . I also think Ferrari need new blood , he might even give Seb a kick up the arse .
I think Ferrari are eyeing a replacement for Vettel, rather than Kimi. The more it drags out the more likely it feels. Would cost them a fortune and be a massive gamble.
I've been wondering this. 2017 and 2018 suggest Vettel doesn't seem to have the consistency necessary to win titles when constructor's are closely matched. Vettel is contracted until the end of 2020 though.
Still waiting for BLS to reply . When he says will cost them a Fortune , does he mean Buy him out NOW or sack him or Similar ? That certainly would cost a fortune .
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/formula1/45403007 Ferrari don’t act with that sort of humility unless they are courting somebody IMO. Brundle mentioned it at Monza last week- the idea that Hamilton might just have a glint in his eye for the experience of driving for the scarlet team? But seriously, I do think 2021 could see Lewis have a crack at the Ferrari experience before signing out from F1. Id have thought Merc would be comfortable taking Vettel unless Ricciardo/Verstappen are on the table (and proven themselves away from one another) 2021 will be a reset button IMO, but let’s see.
Alonso and Vettel couldn't do it................... Ferrari's issues have always been political. They have had quality drivers but always somehow either they or the team screws something up. Is the team cursed!?
I've heard it as he'll be given a part of Sauber instead of most of his salary. If Kimi has plans of staying in F1 after his driving career, it doesn't seem unreasonable.
Kind of sounds like Ferrari are looking to take ownership of the team properly with Kimi a part of it. He does have his junior teams doesn't he.
Ferrari have issued a press release saying Kimi will "step down" from his current role. So presumably staying in the Ferrari family somehow?