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Toyota world rally boss Tommi Makinen has played down speculation Kimi Raikkonen could leave Ferrari at the end of the year.
Makinen, who heads the works Toyota Gazoo Racing rally team, was a guest of Raikkonen's at Monaco.
His deputy Mia Miettinen, also in the Principality, said: "Kimi could be a Toyota (rally) driver, but first he has to decide if he will continue his career with Ferrari."
Amid rumours Ferrari is looking to replace him for 2019, and faced with the rally speculation, Raikkonen insisted he has "no agreement on anything".
Makinen said he thinks it is likely Raikkonen will stay in formula one.
"I have not talked to Kimi about it," he told Ilta Sanomat newspaper.
"It is rumoured that he could possibly continue with Ferrari. He has been doing excellently this year and the results would have been much better without bad luck.
"I would like to see Kimi continue where he is currently," Makinen added.
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G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
He improved a lot this year. But, a better driver would have scored a win and more points for the team. Perhaps, he is the better bang for buck at his salary point. But, i'd argue money is/should be the focus for Ferrari with that good of a car.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
He has been an adequate #2 driver instead of a mediocre one. People see that he is a couple of positions down the grid from Vettel on quali, or being out-qualified by 0.3 instead of 0.6m and call that "great progress." I guess within the realm of mediocrity it is improvement, but in no way it justifies the price tag on Raikkonen. He probably makes Ricciardo's salary 7x.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Better bang for his buck? Not really. He is one of the most expensive drivers on the grid, and perform at this level? Many drivers would be better than Kimi at this rate.
Major Tom
Posts: 152
I don't think he has improved much - it just looks like it because Vettel has slumped even more.
dr002
Posts: 141
I know F1 drivers are wired differently to us mere mortals, but knowing how my life changed once I had a kid, I still can't help but think that having two Dads driving for Ferrari is not the optimum way to go. Surely, being a Dad alters even an F1 driver's perspective, mindset and performance.
Verstappen is proof that a level of maturity is required, but somewhere along the continuum from arrogant reckless teenager to 30's something husband / parent there must surely be a point at which even an F1 driver's performance peaks.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there is not a place for older drivers in F1, but having two dads in the same team is surely not optimal, and certainly closes the door to younger drivers having a go against there more experienced counterparts; to the extent that I think it is selfish of Vettel to continue to insist on having Raikkonen as his support driver.
I'd like to see Kimi stay in F1, but I would much rather see him stay within the Ferrari fold and lead the team (and challenge a young up and coming driver) at Sauber / Alfa Romeo, than continue to be a number 2 to a disappointing Vettel at Ferrari........ Have a go Kimi!