Mark Webber: retires from F1 after '13, joining Porsche LMP1 next year
- Thread starter Wardez
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- GTP_ZippyCat
The Kimi-to-RBR rumors started the same time as the Webber-to-Porsche rumors, so I'd imagine it's just a matter of the timing of the announcement. Roundabout Spa, most likely.
It's clear there are some F1 journos with very solid sources who can go out on a sources-say limb without fear of it being chopped off. We've seen it before with Hamilton, and now with Webber. I've no reason to think the Kimi situation will be different.
There will be lip service paid to the STR boys but the fact is neither would be a candidate for a top drive in any other team. RBR knows this.
The more interesting question is who drives for Lotus next year. If I were Boulier I'd revive the Hulkenberg/Di Resta pairing in a heartbeat, although Bottas and Bianchi also have staked a claim to a better drive.
The Ian Wagstaff "motorsport's top tier" is less tongue-in-cheek than it is accurate. WEC/LMP gives nothing away to F1 in terms of technology or demands on the driver.
Edit:
Adam Cooper has reaction from Kimi. Reading between the lines, it sounds like he's sizing things up but leaning toward joining RBR.
It's clear there are some F1 journos with very solid sources who can go out on a sources-say limb without fear of it being chopped off. We've seen it before with Hamilton, and now with Webber. I've no reason to think the Kimi situation will be different.
There will be lip service paid to the STR boys but the fact is neither would be a candidate for a top drive in any other team. RBR knows this.
The more interesting question is who drives for Lotus next year. If I were Boulier I'd revive the Hulkenberg/Di Resta pairing in a heartbeat, although Bottas and Bianchi also have staked a claim to a better drive.
The Ian Wagstaff "motorsport's top tier" is less tongue-in-cheek than it is accurate. WEC/LMP gives nothing away to F1 in terms of technology or demands on the driver.
Edit:
Adam Cooper has reaction from Kimi. Reading between the lines, it sounds like he's sizing things up but leaning toward joining RBR.
Last edited:
- 2,605
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- NFSCARBON1
Renault have treated RBR as they're factory team since Lotus took over, but they're latest advertising campaign features Kimi Raikkonen? I think it's highly likely he will go there, but I'd expect some huge personality differences between him and Vettel
- 60
- Pompeli
I have speculated this in last season with my mates.
Kimi and Sebastian do get along well with each other and I believe Vettel vs. Räikkönen would be totally different than Vettel vs. Webber.
And I find it hard to seek more fair driver in F1 than Kimi at the moment.
Next season will be again totally different as the new cars come, hence it is difficult to say how new the cars and drivers work.
But I personally like seeing Kimi being in Lotus. But he has worked with Red Bull before and has connections with the it and his contract with Lotus ends this season. It may come to that Lotus can't afford to Kimi anymore.
Kimi and Sebastian do get along well with each other and I believe Vettel vs. Räikkönen would be totally different than Vettel vs. Webber.
And I find it hard to seek more fair driver in F1 than Kimi at the moment.
Next season will be again totally different as the new cars come, hence it is difficult to say how new the cars and drivers work.
But I personally like seeing Kimi being in Lotus. But he has worked with Red Bull before and has connections with the it and his contract with Lotus ends this season. It may come to that Lotus can't afford to Kimi anymore.
That it is. 👍
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- F1fan1
They're good friends and neighbors. I don't see there being a problem.
R5
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Yeah. But whereas Seb seems really excitable, Kimi doesn't even care if he wins a GP, judging from this photo
While getting the picture, I found this
http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/21/happy-kimi-raikkonen-will-stick-with-lotus-insists-team-owner-3803452/
It is a little dated, mind.
JGreens
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- Interstella101
I disagree. It's an perfect pairing...Kimi cares little about ego and more about the car. I expect to see Kimi in an RB10 next year.
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- SiiverArrow
Kimi can cope with pressure, nothing phases him. Are you forgetting he's a world champion already? I don't see him struggling against Vettel, if Newey gives Kimi a car like he has been producing in recent years, he will be a champion again, almost certainly.
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About Webber and Porsche.
The people I follow on twitter are quite evenly matched between the F1 and the Sports Cars world, with maybe more of the latter than of the former. So, it moves at great speed during F1-race weekends, and at enormous speed during WEC or non-WEC major endurance race weekends.
Today, my twitter has gone berserk, with both the F1 and the Sports Cars worlds in full texting frenzy about this "transfer" from a top player from one to the other. It is very hard to keep up, specially if you're trying to work
But all this to say that there's this interesting rumour growing about Mark Webber keeping his ties with Red Bull and how good it would be for Red Bull to be a major sponsor of the works Porsches at Le Mans.
About the "how good" bit, this tweet makes an interesting point:
The people I follow on twitter are quite evenly matched between the F1 and the Sports Cars world, with maybe more of the latter than of the former. So, it moves at great speed during F1-race weekends, and at enormous speed during WEC or non-WEC major endurance race weekends.
Today, my twitter has gone berserk, with both the F1 and the Sports Cars worlds in full texting frenzy about this "transfer" from a top player from one to the other. It is very hard to keep up, specially if you're trying to work
But all this to say that there's this interesting rumour growing about Mark Webber keeping his ties with Red Bull and how good it would be for Red Bull to be a major sponsor of the works Porsches at Le Mans.
About the "how good" bit, this tweet makes an interesting point:
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Webbo and Mateschitz seem to have mutual respect, I could see that working.
Off topic slightly but is that his real nickname? Because it takes the same amount of time to say as his actual name.
JGreens
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- Interstella101
It would make a lot of sense for both parties if Red Bull & Porsche were to collaborate, especially since I predict Red Bull will create a separate Red Bull Racing outfit for the WEC and will need a engine supplier and other friends to help create a successful launch...
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I was wondering who Lotus could get to replace Kimi if he decided to join Red Bull, and then found this.
Expansion Strategy
On July 29, 2011, Genii Capital, which already had interests in Europe, Asia and North America, disembarked in Brazil through a joint venture with WWI Group. This is part of the Geniis current expansion strategy in BRIC countries.
Expansion Strategy
On July 29, 2011, Genii Capital, which already had interests in Europe, Asia and North America, disembarked in Brazil through a joint venture with WWI Group. This is part of the Geniis current expansion strategy in BRIC countries.
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- SpacedustDaddy
Yeah. But whereas Seb seems really excitable, Kimi doesn't even care if he wins a GP, judging from this photo
While getting the picture, I found this
http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/21/happy-kimi-raikkonen-will-stick-with-lotus-insists-team-owner-3803452/
It is a little dated, mind.
you gotta understand the geography of where Kimi was born and raised, kind sir. Anyone knows, if you smile in cold climates, you crack your skin. trust, he's smiling on the INside.
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- David_JV
Are you forgetting that Vettel is a world champion himself and has been working with RBR for 5 years? It'll be close but I'd expect SV to have Kimi covered.
