ESPN F1 | Editor’s blog

Posted on 06/10/2010

The will-he won’t-he surrounding Kimi Raikkonen and a possible return to F1 which has rumbled on all summer has been as tedious to write about as it must have been to read. And before you ask, we do have to report it because everyone else is, and were we not to we would be accused of missing out. Damned if you do …

Every few weeks there’s a quote from someone saying he is being lined up to drive in 2011. But just read a few things Raikkonen himself has said.

April 28: “"If the F1 world could go back 20 years, it would be the same as rallying now," he said. "It [rallying] is still professional but in just a bit more of a relaxed style.”

July 16: “I don't miss Formula One and I am enjoying what I am doing now.”

August 20: “If I had wanted to be there now, I am sure I would have been driving. But there was nothing sensible, so I chose something else.”

His latest response to speculation appears unequivocal. “"I am very disappointed with the way they [Renault] have used my name for their marketing. I have never seriously considered driving for Renault, and I can assure you 100% I will not be driving for them next year.”

So it seems clear. Raikkonen won’t be in F1 next year. But then again, everyone has his price and as he himself said at the tail-end of 2009: “"I think when there is enough money involved, you can always change anything.”

This is one saga that won’t go away, however much we might want it to.

Comments

Posted by Mike on 06/10/2010

no, kimi might be a lot of bad things but he's no liar. This one's all over sunshine!

Posted by gsprings on 06/10/2010

don't think any of the front running teams are going to want kimi after he has been away from the sport for two years

Posted by Hanzo on 06/10/2010

I love Kimi!!! He was the last of the true racer's! And the fastest!!

Posted by Uppili on 06/10/2010

How ironic that you yourself fuel the fire in the last coupls of lines having written an article titled "The never-ending story"

If you are seemingly so bothered about constant rumors, dont start one....

Posted by Samuel on 06/10/2010

humorous and enjoyable article. Always found Raikonnen to be a bit overrated and probably should have 'won' more with the equipment he was given. In any case, I hope the second Renault Seat goes to Sutil.

Posted by Anonymous on 06/10/2010

The last words are true. I am an Alonso fan, but it is true that Kimi lost the seat because of the sponsorship (Santander) that Alonso is carrying. It's normal to make Kimi feel that way.

Posted by John B on 06/10/2010

I love Raikkonen, IMO the most naturally talented driver of the last decade. But I'd rather him not come back and instead make a name for himself in Rally like he has the talent to do. I'd hate for him to 'do a schumacher' now...

Posted by spade on 07/10/2010

every article regarding Kimi Raikkonen will generate millions of hits, prob. more than any other piece of news can generate. Hence I understand the reason($_$) of publishing it inspite of apparent reluctance to do it.

Posted by ejfr1985 on 07/10/2010

I think that when he left ferrari the most powerful and with more money team and after achieving his world title, there is nothing for him at F1, and no other team will pay him the exagerated salary he was earning on ferrari, his head got too much air for F1, on rally is the opposite there he has to prove that he can, and while he does it he cant ask too much money, but on F1 he is a former champion so there it is Kimi wont come back unless a team pays him 20 millions and no one will do it

Posted by eurit35 on 08/10/2010

Kimi is one of the greatest F1 drivers ever! If not too much vodka involved, he could do wonders on track. I believe he got disappointed in F1 - he couldn't live up with Ferrari and real bad luck at McLaren. His only title didn't come completely deserved, but as the result of internal war within McLaren and he is aware of that fact. I wouldn't mind seeing him back in F1 seat, but the only reasonable team available is Renault or, eventually, Ferrari, which should kick Massa out to make room for him. However, the best solution for all would be Mercedes, who should save themselves more shame with outdated Schumacher and take Kimi as the other driver. Otherwise, if Kimi returns, he will be one more driver who will regularly beat the old cheater... On the other side, he might sit out next season and join back in 2012 in Red Bull, after Webber contract is over. I believe we shall see him back in F1! He will be tempted sooner or later...