Theo, what facts has Terry ignored? Raikonnen has won 1 WDC and 2 WCCs. He is a fast driver. These are concessions that Terry has made.

Raikonnen fans: can you honestly say that Kimi is as fast as Schumi? No. So does he deserve to earn Schumi money on that criteria alone? No.

And Terry’s point about team spirit is a good one. If Raikonnen wins the WDC I would imagine the team having a reaction along the lines of: “we won the driver’s title”, rather than “Yes, Kimi did it!”. This although does not necessarily detract from the team harmony, it certainly does not enhance it like it does in other teams.

Additionally, Raikonnen’s heart simply does not appear to be in it any more. I have read (I cannot remember where) on numerous occasions that he is contemplating retirement or moving into rallying. That does not show commitment to the sport, and if there is no commitment there can be no improvement. So why should McLaren sign him? Answer: they shouldn’t.

And by the way, Terry – well argued! Respectful and in my view, spot on in accuracy!

Yup he is a World Champion, but he has had 8 years in a top team and done it once. For all the talk about bad luck etc etc Winning a world title requires you to make your own luck.

Winning a title is not about grabbing the car and driving it like you stole it. It is about maximising points so you are first across the line at the end of the year.

As F1 fans, maybe ‘we’ don’t want a media whore or a prancing pony, but as a Team owner that is exactly what you want. One of the reason Schumi was paid such a staggering salary was because of the way he serviced his sponsors, also Jackie Stewart went on at length in his autobiography the importance of servicing the sponsors who pay for your team. If Kimi doesn’t want to do this, then why is he demanding as a driver who will?

But Maria, Roger, Theo and all the Kimi fans who want to punch me, I would be all for him earning bucketloads of dosh if he was really really fast, like Schumi Fast. But he isn’t.

Crickets chirping

…………

Have a good one Theo

Can you tell me what facts I am ignoring. I admit he was won a drivers title and is very fast. But Felipe has shown you can get someone as fast, cheaper, who is better with the team and sponsors.

And don’t insult me, read the comment policy, it’s not on.

Firstly, isn’t it great that we can have a sensible debate and not just resorting to insults like some other people on the internet do!

My point about Kimi is not that he has or hasn’t had any luck, it is that he has had more opportunity then anyone on the grid. There isn’t another driver who has had more years in a top team and he has one title. Maybe it is time to try someone different.

Secondly, he is paid like Schumi was, and he is not performing like Schumi did, on or off the track.

Surely F1 team bosses would rather get a cheaper driver, who is better with the team, better with the sponsors and just as fast (Look at Felipe! I know you don’t rate him, but he has out pointed Kimi last season and for the first half of this one).

That is my point, not that Kimi isn’t good, obviously he is good. Just that you can get someone as good or better for less money who will be better with the team and the sponsors.

Enjoy Abu Dhabi!

My reason for thinking this is that, during practise, he usually manages to get his car “on song” before his team mate, whoever that is. On his day he is capable of a great drive but he doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct. He doesn’t seem hungry enough for wins.

@three4three I have been working with a Brazilian recently and their press have been reporting that Rubens wants to get into team management.

It seems you’re missing a point and
just being too harsh on providing a comment, that has no grip. Kimi just had bad lucks in his years in McLaren.

If you compare him to the like of Alonso, Hamilton, then how can you consider Rubens Barrichello who has been in F1 for 15 years but still unlucky to clinch a single driver title.

http://www.f1db.com/f1/page/Kimi_Raikkonen

Caompare to Alonso’s who’s said to be the best driver out there:

http://www.f1db.com/f1/page/Fernando_Alonso

Personally I’d love to see him back at Mclaren as I think they owe him a WC for the unreliability of the past and it would give everyone a true benchmark for how good Hamilton is.

Mal.