TBK-Light.com :: Do you want Kimi to retire at the end of this season?

Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at claims his current performance trough is caused by waning motivation.

At Valencia, the reigning world champion was overtaken in the points standings by team-mate Felipe Massa, as rumours gain momentum that retirement looms around the corner.

The latest reports, in the Spanish newspaper Diario AS, claim that former champion Fernando Alonso is more than ready to step into the Ferrari cockpit next year.

"If somebody has doubts concerning my motivation, let them doubt," Raikkonen said on Wednesday. "One thing I can say is that right now I am more motivated than ever."

He insists his slump, particularly with getting the F2008 to perform over a single lap, has been exaggerated.

"Obviously there has been a lot of talk about my qualifying problems. But in Hungary I just went wide on my last lap of Q3. Without that we would easily have been third.
"

Amid the open criticism of the Italian media, it is no surprise that Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali strongly backed the team's highest paid driver.

Less predictable has been the backing of his former team, with separate comments of defence coming from McLaren chiefs Martin Whitmarsh, as well as Ron Dennis.

"Kimi is a fierce competitor, a highly talented racing driver and I wouldn't levy any criticism at him at all," Dennis said.

Source: GMM
Â© CAPSIS International

Author:	Fllying_Fin [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:07 pm ]
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I believe he will stay at the team as long as the contract has been signed. When he wants he can lengthen his contract, but when he doesn't he shouldn't, at that point motivation and speed are gone. Anyhow I HOPE he'll continue.

Author:	Omega [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:24 pm ]
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Bad poll options I wanted to vote NO, but for other reasons

Author:	NVirkkula [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:44 pm ]
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Kimi is not going to retire because of few bad races. It's funny how fast the attitudes changes on the headlines in Formula One. Few bad races and people starts to talk about retiring - a great race after that and people will start praising for a great come-back. What Kimi is going through is something that has happened before for world champions. Prost was in similar speculations during his career but he managed to win the title again. I think that Kimi will still be racing for the title, but if Spa wents wrong for him and Massa is going to be close in standings with Hamilton, Ferrari will probably work for Massa. Kimi knows this and he's motivated for the race. He also knows that if everything fails, he's going to help Massa to get the title. By the way, is the 1989 season the last time when one team had two consecutive drivers world championships for two different drivers in the team?

Author:	RtN [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:53 pm ]
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No. Williams, 1996-1997. And if you think this level of anti-Kimi feeling is bad, for God's sake don't read the Gazetta Dello Sport.

Author:	NVirkkula [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:02 pm ]
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RtN wrote: No. Williams, 1996-1997. And if you think this level of anti-Kimi feeling is bad, for God's sake don't read the Gazetta Dello Sport. I ment the time when they both were in the team, Hill was in Arrows in 1997.

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Author:	RtN [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:04 pm ]
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Ah, you didn't specify that the first time. Yes, If Massa were to win, then it would be the first time since Senna\Prost.

Author:	NVirkkula [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:42 pm ]
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RtN wrote: Ah, you didn't specify that the first time. Yes, If Massa were to win, then it would be the first time since Senna\Prost. Yeah, I should have been more specific. If Massa is going to win the title, I hope that it's going to be solved at Interlagos just to see all those brazilians going mad. Those people can really support their hero, something that Kimi can't get from our beloved media and respected f1 fans.

Author:	Gabriel [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:57 pm ]
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I don't think he will retire, at least not based on performance. 13 points off the lead after 12 races. That's not bad at all.

Author:	Klemen [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:01 pm ]
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I hope he stays in Ferrari for few more years, I believe he'll bounce back, it's just the question of time. I'm currently not happy with his performances but even if he doesn't win the tittle isn't not the end of the world. Hopefully Ferrari won't have any reliability issues in upcoming races, otherwise they will lost both tittles. If he retires after 2010 (I hope he won't) I hope Kubica changes him.

Author:	BrainPain [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:25 pm ]
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Schumack wrote: As Ferrari supporter Im disappointed with Kimi's performance so far in our team. Yet I will wait to see him in 09 spec car and then if nothing changes I would replace him with Kubica for 2010 Hopefully, Raikkonen will be able deliver Japan 05 performance again . So 1/1 WDC isn't enough for you?

Author:	JB-F1 [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:32 pm ]
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Eddy Mains wrote: TBH i think he has lost heart... he did say from the start that he wanted to win the WDC.. he has done it now...the challenge has gone What? How dare you say such sacreligious nonsense in front of the Kimi fans...

Author:	Klemen [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:34 pm ]
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Quote: Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at claims his current performance trough is caused by waning motivation. At Valencia, the reigning world champion was overtaken in the points standings by team-mate Felipe Massa, as rumours gain momentum that retirement looms around the corner. The latest reports, in the Spanish newspaper Diario AS, claim that former champion Fernando Alonso is more than ready to step into the Ferrari cockpit next year. "If somebody has doubts concerning my motivation, let them doubt," Raikkonen said on Wednesday. "One thing I can say is that right now I am more motivated than ever." He insists his slump, particularly with getting the F2008 to perform over a single lap, has been exaggerated. "Obviously there has been a lot of talk about my qualifying problems. But in Hungary I just went wide on my last lap of Q3. Without that we would easily have been third. " Amid the open criticism of the Italian media, it is no surprise that Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali strongly backed the team's highest paid driver. Less predictable has been the backing of his former team, with separate comments of defence coming from McLaren chiefs Martin Whitmarsh, as well as Ron Dennis. "Kimi is a fierce competitor, a highly talented racing driver and I wouldn't levy any criticism at him at all," Dennis said. Source: GMM Â© CAPSIS International He does his best but it's obvious he has some problem in qualfying which need to be solved before it's too late. I still believe in him but indeed his chances are getting smaller and smaller race by race.

Author:	Barre [ Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:37 pm ]
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Don't give a flying fuck if he stays or not. Eddy Mains wrote: TBH i think he has lost heart... he did say from the start that he wanted to win the WDC.. he has done it now...the challenge has gone +1

Author:	D A [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:10 pm ]
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Luca confirms that Kimi will drive next year (along with Massa): http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29082008/ ... -2009.html

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Author:	JB-F1 [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:20 pm ]
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Interesting Well, if Kimi wants to go on, that's fine, but if he gets embarrassed by Massa again next year that's his problem

Author:	ZL11 [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:36 pm ]
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He is hardly getting embarrassed by Massa

Author:	Magnifico [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:43 pm ]
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Well he shouldnt be getting embarassed by Massa at all considering their relative paychecks but there we go.

Author:	ZL11 [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:44 pm ]
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I don't understand how how much they are paid makes any difference at all. The market for Raikkonen in 2006 was a lot higher than it was for Massa in 2005 or whenever Ferrari signed him, that is all it means.

Author:	RtN [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:49 pm ]
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I'm fairly certain that the title bonus stipulated for Massa might equal things out a bit should he win.

Author:	Magnifico [ Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:49 pm ]
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Course it does. You pay the better driver more $$$$ simple. Admittedly that hasnt worked out for Mclaren and Ferrari last and this year respectively. Personally i think people expected too much of Raikkonen and thought he was the next Schumacher. When put into perspective hes not as good as 2005/6 had us to believe and Massa's better than 2002 - 2005 has us think.