Raikkonen's management visit McLaren

Kimi Raikkonen’s management team visited McLaren’s Technology Centre on Wednesday as guests of Martin Whitmarsh, itv.com/f1 has learned.
Steve and David Robertson were seen in conversation with the McLaren team principal while walking around parts of the squad’s Woking base.

RAIKKONEN AIMS TO EXIT FERRARI ON A HIGH

“The race in Abu Dhabi will be my last Grand Prix with Ferrari and as usual I will give it everything to gain the best possible result," the Finn said on Ferrari's website. "We'll try to conclude this difficult year with a good result, hoping that it will be enough to gain the third place in the Constructors' Championship, As I wrote before, it's time for me to say goodbye to the guys at Ferrari after three years together. I'm proud of the things we achieved, especially the drivers' title in 2007 and the constructors' title in the same year and in 2008.”

RAIKKONEN HAS AN OFFER FROM TOYOTA!

Kimi Raikkonen has an offer from Toyota for the 2010 season, and team president John Howett believes the Finn could fit well in the Japanese squad. "We don't play too many games. We put on the table what we can afford and what we think is a serious offer in the current market. I think genuinely we could work well with him, give him a car that's quick." Howett told Reuters. "We have had very good relationships with Scandinavian drivers in the rallying times that enjoy life and it works very well, so we could cope with it as a team." He said.

"RAIKKONEN WOULD FIT WELL AT MCLAREN"

Martin Whitmarsh has given the clearest indication yet that 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will be a McLaren-Mercedes driver once more in 2010, admitting that the Finn is an 'attractive' proposition who 'would fit well' at his employers next year.
“Kimi is a fantastic driver, and I like him and know him well – he was with the team for five years. He is quick, he is committed and I think he probably would be very committed to beating Ferrari in the future, knowing him. All these are attractive things with Kimi.

“He is not political, he is absolutely straightforward – what you see is what you get with Kimi – and on top of that everyone knows that he is a winning driver. I think he has been underestimated technically. He is a very good racing driver and I think he would fit well in this team, if we choose to go down that route.”

KIMI RAIKKONEN: MAYBE I'LL RACE 2010, MAYBE I WON´T

…” But in Formula One, even if you have a contract, there is always a lot of money involved, so there can always be different options in life. That’s obviously what happened. Sure, there is not only one reason for what has happened, that’s why everybody decided to end up in this position.”… ” I’m still happy with what I’ve done and I think I will have a good future. Sure, if you sign a contract you finish it, but obviously it didn’t work out. Overall I’m okay with it.”…” I have nothing bad to say about them as we always had a good relationship, and of course it’s a chance. But honestly I haven’t thought too much about these things, but in time I will make my decision. I will let you know!”… ” Would I have made different decisions? No. I am happy about what I have done, but sure if you look back in hindsight you probably would have done different things. But that’s easy to say afterwards. Regarding my contracts, no I would not have changed anything.”… ” No, there has never been a lack of motivation. All the stories came from the media - basically you guys. I never had any motivation problems. Sure if you have good results life tends to be easier, but then these things happen.”… “I know more or less the reasons and it has nothing to do with my racing or anything I’m doing in the team. It’s just purely another reason.”…
( Kimi in F1 )

RAIKKONEN "VERY SAD" OVER FERRARI EXIT

Kimi Raikkonen admitted he is “very sad” to be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season after the team agreed with the Finn to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
The 30-year-old, who won his only world title to date during his first Ferrari season two years ago, says he leaves with many happy memories.
“With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,” said Kimi Raikkonen.
“I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races.
“Together, we have won 50% of the world titles in that period and I managed to take the drivers’ title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career.
“I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team.”

itv-f1

KIMI DISAPPOINTED

"We got third place as a little bit of a gift but it doesn't matter, it still counts, it's good points for us and we need that. It's a bit disappointing to drive as well as you can every lap, not really making any mistakes, and still finish quite far away from the first two.
So it's not the perfect position for me or for the team, but at least we scored some points, which we needed, and I think we got the most out of the car this weekend.
It's good for the fans to be on the podium, and it's much better than finishing fourth.
We're going to keep pushing as hard as we can, but we know there are cars that are quicker than ours.
But maybe at some races we can still challenge them for the win, and that's what we'll try to do."said Raikkonen.

Holiday means different things, depend of the mind set…

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull:

"I haven’t planned anything so far. I am rather spontaneous and don’t book my vacations in January. I like the mountains and as I live in Switzerland you will probably find me up there, maybe for one week. And, of course, I will spend time in my hometown Heppenheim."

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber:

"I am looking forward to a real family vacation: (wife) Patrizia, the kids and I will head for a Greek Island. Shush! Which island is a secret

! We will build sandcastles, have picnics on the beach, do all those things that other parents do with their youngsters."

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber:

"I will stay at home during the summer break. I will relax a little bit. I will go karting and work out a bit. That’s all. Doesn’t read very fancy, does it?"

Jenson Button, Brawn GP:

"After the London Triathlon at the weekend I will relax a bit in the South of France before getting into gear again for the European Grand Prix."

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren:

"I will head to New Delhi for a Vodafone promotional event and as I am already far out east, maybe I will find myself a beach retreat for a week. But honestly, nothing definite is planned yet."

Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren:

"After going back to the factory for a debrief, I’ll head off for two weeks into the sunset. Where? That’s my secret."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari:

"After Rally Finland I will relax with friends, maybe a bit motor biking in Finland and then I’ll head to the beach for a bit. That’s the vague plan for the moment."

Adrian Sutil, Force India:

"I will spend a week at home in Switzerland before flying to Bali for a holiday with my family. Bali is one of my favourite destinations. It’s a charming place. Then I will return to Switzerland again, before heading for Valencia for the European Grand Prix."

Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India:

"I will spend time with my family and friends on board my boat, the Fizzy. The plan is to sail in the waters around Sardinia and Corsica and have a good time."

Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso:

"I will spend a couple of days at my parents’ home in Switzerland, then go down to Malaga for one week with my physio for a workout. And for a little extra treat I’m going to fly to New York for four days to inhale a bit of metropolis life."

Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso:

"The weekend after Budapest I am racing in Portimao. After that I will head for Ibiza to work on my fitness - and of course have a little fun!"

""Formula1.com""