Raikkonen ‘not anti-Alonso choice’ – Domenicali

2014 F1 season

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Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says Fernando Alonso has nothing to fear from the hiring of his new team mate.

Yesterday the team confirmed Kimi Raikkonen will replace Felipe Massa alongside Alonso for their 2014 campaign.

“For anyone thinking that the choice of Kimi is somehow an anti-Alonso choice, I can put their minds at rest,” Domenicali told the team’s website, “at Ferrari, everyone knows the interests of the team come first and only then those of the individual.”

“Fernando is a key asset for this team and he will be for a long time. I’m sure he is the first to be happy with a choice made to strengthen the group, because he is too intelligent not to realise that a stronger team can only be an advantage.”

It’s been six decades since Ferrari last had two world champions driving for them as they have usually preferred to pair a strong number one driver with a weaker team mate. Last year president Luca di Montezemolo said “I don’t want to have two roosters in the same hen house”.

Domenicali addressed what he called “the poultry question”, saying “it brings to mind football fans who are scared of rival teams because they have so many strong forwards and so they hope they will fight each other for the ball”.

“Nothing will change in the way the team is run,” Domenicali added. “Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms. It’s always been that way and always will.”

“Then, during the course of the season, if the situation is such that one driver can help the other based on the points table, it’s logical and right that it should happen. It’s happened in the past and will happen in the future, as all drivers who have driven a Ferrari have demonstrated.

“It occurred at the time of [Juan Manuel] Fangio and [Peter] Collins and more recently with [Mika] Salo and [Eddie] Irvine, when the Finn gave up on his only chance of a win in Formula 1 to help his team-mate, as Raikkonen was helped by Felipe [Massa], before repaying the compliment and again with Felipe and Fernando.”

Domenicali believes no other team will be a match for Ferrari’s line-up next year: “The combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best one could have today in Formula One, in terms of talent, experience, competitive spirit and the ability to move car development forward.”

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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102 comments on “Raikkonen ‘not anti-Alonso choice’ – Domenicali”

  1. TBH I think the two personalities will work really well together.

    1. I think it’s an anti-other-teams choice, Ferrari has now the strongest line-up for 2014, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Lotus will fear, if they don’t already do…

      1. I think I mentioned before but Mclaren has the worst driver line up of all the top teams today. In fact, if one would care to look at it carefully, it would be safe to say that Button/Perez is the worst driver line up Mclaren has had over the past 30 years. @jeff1s

    2. I think Alonso is more worried about having a strong car than a strong team mate. 2013 Alonso is not 2007 Alonso and he’s got over that experience against Hamilton.

      Ferrari must build a car capable of fighting for wins from Australia to Brazil. Kimi is pretty good but the other talent that must deliver is James Allison.

      Mercedes, on paper, will be up there. Like Lewis said a few there’s ago, as long as Red Bull’s tech department is ketp together, they will be competitive (and probably the ones to beat) and I think Ferrari has what it takes to be up there too.

      Once Seb is about to put and to this season, with Kimi going back to Italy, new regulations, Dan at Red Bull, Mercedes “10 cooks” and the longest season ever, I can’t wait for 2014. My main concern being the usual instability that comes with new regulations, occasionally presenting us with a random dominant car.

    3. Agreed, both Alonso and Raikonnen show great signs of maturity. They’re also very experienced, so they both know what to expect.

  2. Well chosen words from Stefano.. and good timing on the statement.

    I’m sure a lot of fans thought, the move for Raikkonen was to ‘Put Alonso in his place’ . The fact is that Alonso will not have problem with Kimi. Sure, Kimi won’t move over for him, but he will end up taking more points off his rivals than Massa could manage.

    I think its a strategic call for both Ferrari and Fernando.

    1. This is an interesting read giving a bit of insight in how inner team relations work.
      I am very sure that it was indeed partly because the team felt that they needed someone who could challenge (and thereby push along) Alonso a bit.
      Given that its likely that Red Bull/Vettel will still be ahead next year, this way at least they can profit from a less experienced guy in the second Red Bull and have a shot at the constructors title too. That is a viable target for them, although Ferrari hasn’t bothered with it for some years now.

      1. I guess the financial issue for Ferrari is Bernie is saying he is basing payments on constructor results – even though Ferrari get their ‘heritage’ bung, if they keep getting 3rd/4th because only one car is performing, then that’s money going somewhere else.

      2. @bascb

        Thanks for the article Bas… it was a great read.

    2. Do you mean Alonso can help take more points off Kimi’s WDC rivals than Grosjean could manage? ;)
      (sorry, I couldn’t resist)

      1. @john-h that can’t be ruled out of course :D

    3. Sure Kimi didnt have could seasons in 08 and 09 but it still doesnt mean he wont beat Fernanado

    4. @todfod Kimi will also take more points off Alonso than Massa ever did. Because the points gaps increase as you get further to the sharp end (7 points between P1 and P2, vs 1 point between P9 and P10) there is a far greater penalty to having your teammate finish ahead of you, as opposed to your teammate taking points off others.

      Alonso, of course, will take more points off Raikkonen than Massa ever did, too

      1. Yeah this is why i think the argument of “he will take more points off his rivals and thus help Alonso” is a bit of a false economy (if that’s the right phrase). The only benefits are if Alonso DNFs or finishes further behind than his other rivals.

        If Alonso finishes ahead (as he would be almost guaranteed of against Massa), the most Raikkonen could take from other rivals is 3 points (difference from 2nd to 3rd). Whereas if Alonso finishes behind, Raikkonen could take 7 points off him.

        Overall i don’t think Raikkonen joining will give Alonso a better chance of winning the driver’s championship. But will be fun to watch which is all i care about ;)

        1. Economy is a social science, maths on the other hand are pure science,
          You can take any (or as many) fer-Felipe years an just move Felipe several places up and re-calculate standings. You will see if would have been better or worse for Fernando with a sensitivity analysis by “how much” better.
          I haven’t bothered to do it, but pretty sure a number cruncher at Ferrari has already done it.

          Sure Keith can do it fast and nice looking as well, with colourful graphs…

          By the way, before entering a row over Germany 2010, everybody can feel free to adjust the model by re-setting result to before ” Fernando is faster than you” 😃

        2. The move is less about the Drivers Championship than about the Constructors. I think that the combined consistency of Fernando and Kimi will put the Constructors in easy reach of Ferrari. I don’t see VET + RIC scoring more that ALO + RAI. They keep on saying the team is more important than any driver – they’re just acting on that.

    5. Well chosen words from Stefano

      I think not. Who is he trying to kid when after they have admitted they have been a one-rooster team for 6 decades, that their drivers have always started each season on equal terms. Yeah right…I guess what he means by that is that MS got to drive a car built for him, and RB got to drive a car built for MS too.

      1. Who is he trying to kid when after they have admitted they have been a one-rooster team for 6 decades, that their drivers have always started each season on equal terms.

        Yeah who was the rooster in 2007, 2008 and 2009?

        1. I don’t know…I think it was supposed to be KR, but I’m not the Ferrari principle who has proudly beat his chest over having the one-rooster philosophy all along. Ask him.

      2. @robbie
        There was no rooster in the Massa-Raikkonen era, nor was there a rooster in the Alesi-Berger era, nor was there a rooster in the Pironi-Villeneuve era. Your statement is laughable.

        1. My statement? Again, I’m not the one touting the philosophy…Ferrari is. I actually took heart when it appeared that FM and KR seemed to be on equal footing, and I’m not sure if they were or not, but post-MS I suspect the team had a different flavour to it, and since even just last year Ferrari were branding themselves as a one-rooster team, I don’t think it is a stretch to think that they may have expected KR to be their rooster but it just wasn’t the same massive effort for him as when MS was there. I don’t think KR is that kind of player.

          I don’t think Alesi-Berger nor Pironi-Villeneuve (my main man always and forever) is relevant to this conversation. I think the real roostering began with MS and it was to an unprecedented degree. If they took a break while they sorted themselves out post-MS, so be it, but they were back touting it last year nonetheless. It’s not an accusation on my part, it’s an admission on theirs.

          1. @robbie
            I quote your very post:

            I think not. Who is he trying to kid when after they have admitted they have been a one-rooster team for 6 decades, that their drivers have always started each season on equal terms.

            Raikkonen was very much the rooster at McLaren, he was Ron’s favorite ahead of Coulthard and Montoya. However, Ferrari actually gave Massa an equal chance to Kimi, and he took it to full effect.

            So which team is the one with the rooster-policy again? McLaren or Ferrari?

            I don’t think Alesi-Berger nor Pironi-Villeneuve (my main man always and forever) is relevant to this conversation. I think the real roostering began with MS and it was to an unprecedented degree.

            Your previous comment claimed that Ferrari have been using the one-rooster mentality for the past 6 decades. Who are you trying to fool? Don’t contradict yourself.

            It’s not an accusation on my part, it’s an admission on theirs.

            It’s very much an accusation on your behalf.

            Massa and Alonso raced each other hard in the early races of 2010, such as Australia, Malaysia, and China. They raced each other quite hard again at Malaysia and China in 2011, with Massa finishing ahead in both races. Felipe was also allowed to race Fernando at Australia this year.

            Do you not see a pattern. Ferrari do allow their drivers to race early on in the season, and don’t apply team orders until it’s clear that one driver is in a much better long-term position in the WDC (eg. Germany 2010).

            There’s only one team that has ever applied team orders in the first race of the season (Australia 1998). Here’s a hint: It isn’t Ferrari.

      3. So I assume Brawn really hates Barrichello and supported Button over him in 2009?

  3. Fire vs Ice

    Leader vs Aloof

    workaholic vs laid back

    Extreme Understeer vs Extreme Oversteer

    Like to mix up with factory guys and treat them as family vs Its best to leave him alone

    Work as late as possible after gp vs Leave as soon as possible after gp.

    You can’t find a more different personality. Its gonna be great.

    1. alonso will only and rightly be annoyed if he is the one doing all the work and kimi turns up whenever and wins with his hard work.

      i dont know what the answer to that is and i dont know kimi’s new contract is but if ferrari have an ounce of sense they would of put some heavy demands in his contract relating to his work load and input. Kimi needs them more than they need him, but sadly i dont think ferrari were thinking like that when they signed Kimi.

      I must admit being slightly bemused by it all and by all the kimi will put him in his place talk. Kimi didnt put massa in his place and at times has had Romain be much quicker than him(yet erratic & inconsistent)

      also the kimi wont do team orders thing makes me laugh, does anyone remember how he won his only title??

      1. I think that the”hard work” was more relevant during Schumacher era when they were allowed in-season testing. The last few years, with the testing banned, there was not much for the driver to do. Apart from analyzing the telemetry from the race or the practice and giving a feedback I can’t imagine what else a driver could do. They are not engineers or mechanics to work on the car. Next year with the in-season testing on again Kimi will have to work bit more.

        1. The endless hours in the simulator don’t count?

  4. at Ferrari, everyone knows the interests of the team come first

    Which team is he talking about, Alonso’s team or Raikkonen’s team?

    Joking aside, I’m wondering if they have specifically agreed on when exactly the lowest scoring driver should start to “help the other based on the points table”. For instance, Massa has let Alonso past on several occasions when both were still mathematically in contention for the championship.

    1. It takes a long time for any driver to be ‘mathematically out of contention’ for the championship. For example Massa is still mathematically in contention for the driver’s championship, and before Monza every driver in the field was ;)

      So i think there will have to be a slightly vague ‘realistically in contention’ point at which either driver may support the other.

      1. Even though I am not a fan of the one-rooster concept, I defended Ferrari when they ordered FM to let FA go mid-season of 2010 because it wasn’t just about FM still being mathematically in it, it was about the Red Bull’s being perceived as being extremely tough competitors that year and needing to decide on the spur of the moment when they had an opportunity to close the points gap to RBR that day, to put it behind the driver with the greater number of points.

        In other words, I expect that next year they will decide between an earned number 1 and a necessary number 2 when they see how the rest of the field is doing. The longer the season goes without anyone running away with the Championship, the longer all teams can keep their drivers in the fight.

  5. Sure, he would say that, wouldn’t he. I think Alonso does realize that it means Ferrari want to push him along a bit too, and that means he is not “fully in charge” anymore. He will have to press his domination on the team again.

    1. @BasCB I think there are many reasons why Ferrari made the unexpected decision to re-hire Raikkonen but sometimes you need a change or change’s sake and I believe that this could be one of those cases. As Einstein said, the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

      Alonso-Massa pairing hasn’t managed to win any titles. Massa has gifted points to Alonso but he has failed to finish between Alonso and Vettel a few times as well. One cannot know if Ferrari would have won a championship or two with a different second driver since 2010 but the fact is that the “one rooster” policy wasn’t enough to deliver the results they tried to get. The current situation probably demotivates Ferrari employees and makes managers look like they’re not up to the job, which is why they have to try something different.

      1. I agree with that @girts. When I mentioned that Dominicaly is not saying everything, that does not mean that I don’t think it was the right thing to do.

        Everyone needs shaking up a bit. I also think that 2007 learnt Alonso a lot about himself and helped make him the incredible driver he was last year.
        I read that Boullier thinks part of the reason for Kimi might be seeking the kind of challenge that Button was looking for when he went to McLaren – to beat one of the known great drivers at his own turf, and I think that is a great motivation (I think it helped Hamilton get a lot better too, and Button rose to the occasion as well). It also shows the Kimi who goes to Ferrari is different from the one they sacked in 2009 – I doubt he had a goal for himself then.

        Its uncomfortable for Ferrari, and uncomfortable for Alonso. But their current plan (Alonso-Massa) showed to be flawed because they couldn’t quite match the other teams on pace with their car AND having an underperforming 2nd driver meant losing out on the WCC.

  6. “Domenicali believes no other team will be a match for Ferrari’s line-up next year: “The combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best one could have today in Formula One, in terms of talent, experience, competitive spirit and the ability to move car development forward.””

    When you cut through all the hype and marketing speak from the teams you can’t really argue with this comment, Alonso / Raikkonen is a fantasy league pairing come to life. When you compare the line up with their rivals you would have to say these two, as a pairing, have the edge over everyone else. Next season Red Bull have a four time world champion and a driver who will be finding his feet at the sharp end of the grid. McLaren will have Button and Perez who are a pretty solid pairing but I don’t think they will be team’s first choice if they had their pick of the field. Mercedes line up is the only one which is close as a pairing in my book, but Rosberg’s relative lack of success lets the side down for the purposes of this exercise, though he is now very much in the “proven winner” category of drivers.

    2014 is going to be a great season for many reasons, but the potential of this Ferrari driver line-up is one of the major ones. I can’t wait to see what happens.

    1. @geemac I think only Mercedes could match Ferrari combination. but It’s only when Nico and Hamilton match each other closely. for now, when Nico excels, Hamilton doesn’t and vice versa. I wonder this is caused by driving style but I’m not sure.

      of course I wonder how Kimi and Alonso’s different styles would unfold. It would be fascinating.

      1. Eggry im afraid Nico is no match now for Hamilton, Hamilton is doing a much better job do you really think if Ham had no puncture he would get beat by a Sauber? Look at the last few races you have to go way back to Monaco. Ever since Ham has been easily better, Spa Qually is the time Ros was much better he got unlucky. Silverstone he was no match was v lucky to win and look at qually h2h aswell considering Ros had 3 poles in a row early on Ham as really took over. I was worried initially by Ros being a Ham fan but im not no more, who agree’s?

    2. The combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best one could have today in Formula One

      If “by could have” he means availability of drivers and money, I’d agree with him, otherwise, if I had a team and money to burn I could come up with an alternative duo:

      Sebatian Vettel + Lewis Hamilton

      1. @jcost that’s a partnership I desperately want to see – qualifying would just be epic. :D

        1. @vettel1 Qualifying would be fantastic with those two in the same team. It would be much better than Alonso vs Raikkonen will be if I’m honest. I can’t see those two fighting for too many front row starts, unless the Ferrari is 2002/2004-esque dominant.

          1. @deej92 the only way I can really see Vettel and Hamilton in the same team is if Vettel takes an open space at a competitive Mercedes. Otherwise, I think it’ll elude us – Ferrari seems his most likely destination (after Alonso has departed).

            Who knows though, maybe Hülkenberg or someone will be in Ferrari at that time and they’ll be the new one that everybody wants to compete with ;)

        2. @vettel1 unfortunately it’s highly unlikely. Vettel will go to Ferrari when Newey leaves Red Bull, otherwise he’ll stay put. Even if they get it wrong in 2014, they’ll fix it and will be up there in 2015.

          1. @jcost I’d think he’d be able to bring Newey with him to Ferrari…

  7. As long as cars are good enough to win consistently, as long as Alonso would not be beaten by Kimi, everything will be ok.

  8. Couple of thoughts from me:
    1) It’s funny that Ferrari are now the only team with two (WDC) ‘roosters’ for 2014.
    2) I can’t wait to see ALO’s first attempt to put RAI publicly in his place (pit lane entry on MAS, anyone?)

    1. I will be sure to be on the lookout for something like that (2) too @Webbo82

  9. Still can’t shake the feeling that there is more to it, but who knows.
    So far the team comes first policy matched nicely with Alonso’s own ambitions to go after the WDC. But if Kimi starts beating him then the WDC becomes an uphill battle and we’ll see if he learned anything since 07.
    If he can handle Kimi then it could actually pay off and make his life easier because Kimi will take more points off the rivals than Massa.

    Will be interesting to watch – though Ferrari also has quite a task at hand to build a good engine / car for next year. Even with Allison, Fry and Byrne – it’s still not that easy to go up against Merc, RB and McLaren.

  10. Interesting – this Finnish article mentions that part of the negotiations was also an apology from Luca to Kimi! And he got it in person

    1. Whatever we have seen or heard from luca I don’t think he is the kind of person who acknowledges his mistakes even if he thinks he made one… and this story appeared only in Finnish media also makes it a little difficult to beleive…

  11. Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms.

    Seems it’s not only the fans that have selective memories; someone may want to remind him about Austria 2002…

  12. By the time 2014 comes around, Ferrari’s two drivers will have 23 years of F1 experience between them. The next closest will be McLaren with 16 (14 of which will be Button’s), then Mercedes on 15. Kimi and Fernando have experienced a LOT of F1 rule and regulation changes, and their huge shared experience shouldn’t be underestimated compared to the Newey/Vettel combo going into next year.

    Kimi and Fernando will adapt brilliantly to the huge 2014 changes, and provided Ferrari do the same (which I wouldn’t bet against with James Allison coming aboard) I think the Constructors Championship trophy could finally be set to leave Milton Keynes.

    1. *McLaren 17

    2. Actually, it doesn’t matter at all if you have slow car or can’t better it through a year. And I bet Ferrari will be off the pace by 1 sec at the very least. And I doubt they will be able to improve it constantly.

  13. Alonso has nothing to fear here.
    Driver talent order is as follows:
    1. Lewis Hamilton
    2. Fernando Alonso
    3. Kimi Raikonenn
    4. Sebastian Vettel

    1. Poor Seb, no love for the triple WDC?

    2. Funny HAM is on top on your list, what has he done others haven’t ? IMHO is at the same level than Button or Webber.
      HAM had the chance Vettel has now, but blew it, HAM is not a multiple WDC talent or dedication, is a one off lucky by one point.

      1. Really? Button and Webber? C’mon.

      2. So is kimi lucky then? And Ham is beating webber lol, Ham is wey better than But and Webber, he as had 1 bad year 2011 yet still won 3 races, last year was arguably his best year my friend. Look at his win and pole stats he is in the conversation of 1 of the greats, when it is all said and done Ham will be top 2 in qually stats and top 3 in race wins. He will be ahead of Alo that’s for sure. Vet will have more championships but I think if Ham wins just 1 more wtitle he will be an alltime great. Bring back refuelling, 2007, 2008, 2009 nice tyres he would absoloute dominate. Go watch 2007 mate if you don’t think he is great people always say that was his top but its hard to do that well when people will say its his rookie year. Best year ever by a rookie h2h with the “samurai” Alo.

    3. i think kimi is the most talented. he’s the most lazy among the top 4, yet remain so competitive. Imagine if he’s a workaholic.

    4. Obviously, a list like this is totally subjective and could be argued from now until eternity. Besides, pure driver skill is one thing. How it is applied through each car, track, conditions and any other endless variables is a movable calculation absolutely.

    5. All up for debate and with a subjective definition @jason12! Does talent mean one lap pace, race pace, consistency, ability to drag difficult cars round tracks, ability to utilise the full potential of your machinery, overtaking, technical ability…? ;)

  14. Kimi will be a formidable force for Alonso to reckon with. He did not go back to Ferrari for the money, as some claim, but to show them how wrong they were for dismissing him in 2009. That would be his way of taking his revenge. He will be fully motivated and will work, in his own way, very hard. After the recent comments by Alonso, the team will rally around Kimi. The move by Ferrari was indeed against Alonso who had outgrown his breaches. His teammate will be the person who was unceremoniously fired to make room for him, and is the last driver to have won a WCC and a WDC with the team. And he now returns as a much improved driver, highly recommended by James Allisson who after the Australian race won by Kimi was in awe. He commented that Kimi ‘only broke traction twice during the whole race while having mind – blowing-pace’.

    1. A lot of this is written as fact but is your opinion. We don’t really know why Kimi has gone back but there is clearly something.

  15. Or: Lewis Hamilton == Fernando Alonso == Kimi Raikonenn == Sebastian Vettel
    There’s not much to choose between the ‘big 4’ I think. If only there were 4 Ferrari seats ;)

    1. (This was a reply to Jason above)

    2. +1 Thank you.

    3. @john-h
      :D
      Or maybe 4 Redbull seats….

      1. 4 Redbull seats?

        Alonso and Hamilton to Torro Rosso!

    4. Let’s see when Hulkenberg finally gets the seat he deserves, then it will be big 5!

  16. Now that kimi’s deal is finalized with Ferrari, I am thinking what made him choose Ferrari over Red Bulls. I mean Ferrari is more political than Red Bull. Also it is likely that Red Bull might again be the team to beat in 2014 (they may fall back in order,it is possible) and Seb and Kimi share good repo with each other than Kimi and Alonso. What made kimi sign for ferrari. Is it really possible that Seb also doesnt like to have a competitive team mate? Or was it too much pressure on Horner from Helmut Marko to sign Ricciardo instead of Kimi.?

    1. Maybe because everyone except Alonso and LdM are happy to work with him :)

    2. Well What makes you think Vettel and Kimi get along well than Kimi and Alonso, because vettel said so? I remember Alonso saying sometime back about the F1 drivers he get along well with the most and Kimi was one of them… TBH Kimi has never said he gets along well with Vettel more than Alonso or vice versa…

      1. For all we know, since I do believe KR and RBR were close to a deal but couldn’t agree on everything, perhaps RBR were never really that interested in KR, or else they would have sweetened the deal…made sure he didn’t walk from the table. So I question whether RBR were ever serious about KR or just wanted to appear to be a two-rooster team, and enjoy the publicity the hype brought at the same time.

      2. @puneethvb

        Actually Kimi rarely says anything. He just goes on track and let his racing do the talking. :)
        He isnt the person who gets involved in politics and say that he likes this, that etc etc…

      3. Actually Kimi has said, that you really can’t be friends in F1, but Seb is closest to one.

    3. I think it’s normal that everybody would try to make their life easier. If Seb had any say in who’ll be his teammate he’ll prefer the less experienced Ric. Although that is a double-edged sword, it would hurt less if he ‘s to be beaten by Rai. In a same way it’s normal for Alonso to prefer if Massa stayed. He knows him well and there will be no surprises, which can’t be said when Rai comes.
      I don’t think any drivers are real friends. They may go for a coffee with some of them from time to time, like Button and DiResta because they leave close or play badminton in the case of Rai and Seb because, again, they leave close. Their job doesn’t allow close friendship.

      1. @debeluhi
        I agree with you that no 2 drivers are close friends, but by seb and kimi sharing good repo I meant that it wont be a case like seb and mark where we have seen some tension in the respective side of garages. With Alonso and Kimi , things might heat up but lets hope it isnt 2007 again and we can really see Alonso and Kimi giving Seb a run for his money if RB is again leader of the pack. :)

        @robbie
        I think you are right in saying RB were never really interested in getting Kimi’s services, coz if they wanted him they could have sweetened the deal. But by hiring kimi there young driver programme would have looked stupid and waste of money, so they went with Ricciardo.

  17. As much as I think this is the right choice for Ferrari, one that really shows a long for much needed radical change, I honestly think that Alonso still has a “2007” inside of him and Ferrary should be aware of that.
    It’s evidently growing frustation in missing a WDC since 2006, and should the chance finally really arise (because the way He speak about Vettel, I don’t think He consider 2010 and 2012 as seasons in which He had on-par equipment, even though He did) only to find himself edged by Raikkonen, basically anything could happen. I’d start by booking two pit spots for Hungary…

    1. He speak about Vettel, I don’t think He consider 2010 and 2012 as seasons in which He had on-par equipment, even though He did)
      that is a lie, because in 2010 Alonso had pretty good car, but Ferrari failed to improve it in the latest stage of that season. Secondly, 2012 was far off the pace (esp. in qualifying). Alonso was ridiculously stable, while Red Bull/Vettel wasn’t. (It was pure luck in Valencia for Alonso where all 40+ adv. in points was done).
      Secondly, Alonso said that Ferrari didn’t deserved a title last year because they hadn’t car fast enough.
      Try to rethink what you think.

      1. 2012 Ferrari was far off

  18. I absolutely can’t wait for next year now!

    “Kimi, Alonso is faster than you. Do you understand?”

    “LEAVE ME ALONE!”

    :D

    1. …. Kimi in front of Alonso..

      Ferrari: “Fernando, push all you can and use your talent, we know how big it is”
      Alonso: “But… He’s too far!”

      ;)

    2. There was a version of the same joke I read on different site:

      “Kimi, Fernando is faster than you. Confirm you understood the message.”
      “Leave me alone, I know what to do!”
      [Kimi speeds up]
      Alonso: “Now you let him go! Guys you are so stupid! Mamma mia!”

    3. @petebaldwin

      The “LEAVE ME ALONE!” does not work with Ferrari. He has signed the contract… AKA he will obey, if an order comes….same goes for Alonso.
      In case if they don’t, they have break the contract rules and the punishment is very very expensive economically speaking (more than the salary) …and all Ferrari’s drivers know this.

  19. Like I said in another roundup, ALO really doesn´t have anything to fear about KIMI. ALO put grosjean in his place while they were team mates and so KIMI shouldn´t be a problem in that sense but, I truly believe that sparks will fly. I think KIMI will not budge if ALO is in a better position in the WDC and that worries me. I hope Ferrari has done it´s homework while writing up those contracts. This is the oportunity to become world champions once again or the oportunity to come off like the laughing stock of F1.
    I just hope Kimi has grown up from the icescream days and I really hope he puts the bottle down for the season.

    1. you kidding me?? the rookie Romain that just subbed in for few races while Alo was the main man??

      Fisi couldn’t even touch kimi’s gearbox when he switched to ferrari in 2009.

      Write off kimi at your own peril.

    2. I don’t think you should compare the stats when Kimi 2012-2013 and Fernando 2009 had Grosjean as teammate. Grosjean was a rookie back in 2009 jumping in that Renault in the middle of the season, to a same car Alonso had been driving all season. And drivers normally get quicker over years until they reach their peak. So if Alonso beat Grosjean back in 2009 it does not tell you too much does it, the quali lap times were sometimes not too far off between these two back then on some weekends, not that they still are between Kimi and Grosjean. But Kimi still has been beating Grosjean on most weekends both races and in quali. So when normally all F1 drivers get faster after a few years in F1 grid, I am not surprised Alonso beat Grosjean in a team and car he knew very well. I think next year everyone will understand how fast Grosjean actually is over 1 lap these days. Most of the weekends he is very close to Kimis lap times in qualification, but not in race.. I believe next season over 1 lap Alonso and Kimi will be as close as lets say Lewis and Alonso were 2007, so in quali 50/50 there and come the race days it will be 50/50 again. Lewis was a rookie against Alonso, it is safe to say he has gained a few tenths since then. By this logic we can easily say that Lewis has also gained a few tenths since then, which makes him a few tents quicker than Alonso today over one lap if they were driving the same car now. Just saying it is not easy to compare experienced drivers, when you compare one of them driving against rookie Grosjean and the other to a Grosjean who has now raced what 30-40 GP´s. Next year we will get a good idea how fast these now experienced drivers are compared to each others. One thing remains the same, we will still don’t know for sure how fast Vettel is in that Redbull, as he has never had one of the other big 3 as his teammate.

  20. “at Ferrari, everyone knows the interests of the team come first and only then those of the individual.”

    I don’t get their logic here. You would say it implies that Ferrari are going first and foremost for the constructors championship, but then again why would they tell Massa that Alonso is faster than him three years ago? And why would they keep a driver that consistently scores half the points of his teammate for so long?

    So the individual somehow is good for the team, so why would the team’s interest come first? I don’t get that statement.

    1. I think Ferrari values WDC more than the WCC… the statement can be be viewed this way as well… Say Massa come end of the season is leading a race and Alonso is second… and Alonso could win the championship if he wins the race .. Ferrari would want Massa to move over for Alonso as that means one of their drivers wins the WDC… In otherwords Massa’s interests as an individual (that is to win the race) comes only after Ferrari’s interest (That is to win the WDC)… I am not saying that’s the right approach but that’s what SD is trying to say here IMO.

      1. But why would you say the individual championship is more the team’s interest than the team performance? Just say “the WDC championship is our main priority” – that’s all I want. They keep it vague by saying the team’s interest is more important. I know it’s just a matter of verbalizing, but it bugs me so much!

    2. Because the car that gets number 1 is that of the WDC. Also, in the public what appeals more is the WDC. Easy :)

    3. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Ferrari is a Vulcan company.

  21. Domenicali mention Salo helping Irvine, but what about Schumacher doing all he could to help Irvine win the championship at the end of 99. Schumacher comes back after at the Malaysian Grand Prix after missing six races and sticks it on pole by a second. Start of the race builds up a big gap, then slows down to hand the win to Irvine.

    Schumacher is the guy who went to Ferrari to return them to greatness, it was his ability as a leader that gelled that team. Ferrari gave him cars woefully off the pace year after year, he was head and shoulders above all other drivers during the period, no-one deserved that first Ferrari title since 1979 more than Schumacher for he was the reason they were competitive again, yet he was doing everything in his power to help Irvine win the title and doing so with complete grace.

    That’s what people forget when they bring up Austria 2002. McLaren started that business of drivers pulling over to let their teammate win. Schumacher did Irvine a huge favour in 1999. It was Barrichello’s turn in Austria 2002 since he was so far out of contention of the championship.

  22. I know there are a lot of fans that keep going back to 2007 & suggesting that Fernando will sulk or whatever if Kimi manages to be faster than him consistently, I’m not expecting that as 2007 was a different set of circumstances.

    Fernando’s issues in 2007 were not a simple case of Lewis been a match or beating him (Although that was a part of it), It was the whole way the team were interacting with the 2 drivers that started an impression about who the team preferred to win.
    I don’t think Fernando’s family/friends helped matters as pretty early into the year they stopped going into the McLaren garage to watch races due to the way the mechanics always seemed to be rooting for Lewis more than Fernando due to the fact most of them had known Lewis for a couple years.

    Well before the events of Hungary & even before any trouble had started you could actually see a bit of that just been down there during qualifying sessions & races & watching how the mechanics reacted to the highs/lows of each driver. When Lewis got a pole or won a race the entire team exploded with joy & were jumping around screaming & celebrating like they had won the championship, When Fernando did the same you just saw some normal celebrations with clapping & smiles.

    Since I don’t see any of that happening at Ferrari, Especially given how Alonso had built the team around him the past few years, I don’t see there been a problem between Alonso & Kimi who both already get on extremely well anyway.

  23. If Kimi and Fernando respect each other (which i think it is the case) then Ferrari has nothing to fear from pairing them, i can see only the competition fearing especially the Bull’s who had the opportunity to sign Kimi and signed a Ricciardo instead of him, we just have to wait maybe Dan is prepared enough to be in a top team but Perez comes to my mind.
    The benefit would be great on other aspects too, Kimi & Fernando are very known to adapt very quickly to regulations change because they experienced many of them during their career.
    The only driver line up that could match Kimi & Fernando is Vettel & Hamilton but that’s unlikely to happen in the next 2 years ,ironically the Bull’s have also the chance to sign Lewis in 2013 but they didn’t
    Things change dramatically in F1, i think that if Red Bull don’t build a dominant car and the top teams are close in term of performance i can see them behind Ferrari & Mercedes in the WCC

  24. Either Domenicalli is the Horse Whisperer or hyperbole is contagious at Ferrari. “Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms.” Say whaaa? Unless there’s a ‘championship’ missing from that quote @keithcollantine ?

    1. I find SD is being totally untruthful with that line. You can’t tell me that on the one hand they openly admit they are a one-rooster team, or at least have been for the last 6 decades according to recent articles, while at the same time saying their drivers start off the year on equal terms. That’s simply unbelievable.

      Let’s take MS/Ferrari for example. I would agree both drivers MS and RB started off the year driving the same car…that which was built for MS. I’ll leave it at that because that can be the only scenario where SD thinks all things are equal. One driver gets to drive a car built for the other and therefore they are on equal footing.

  25. I commented on this site before Raikkonens comeback that he would indeed be very successful given the format of F1 he came back to with his fluent style and his talent. And so it turned out, he surprized most people but not me.

    He`s probably the most naturally talented driver on the grid and has been so throughout his career. That`s why the comeback was so easy for him, it comes to him naturally whereas others have to work on it. Sure there are other drivers that work harder, are more determined and dedicated than Raikkonen and will therefor win more races and championships during their career. But for pure driving talent I don`t think either Vettel, Alonso or Hamilton is on par with Raikkonen. Remember all the others were nurtured through the ranks whereas Raikkonen arrived in F1 with only 23 races in single seaters to his name and made an instant impact. Then he walked away for 2 years and did the same again.

    What about 2014? I think the new regulations will suit Raikkonen better than any other driver on the grid. A fluent driving style will be very important in the turbo-era as the challenge will be to get the power down, and nobody has a more fluent driving style than Raikkonen. I think a lot of people (including Alonso) will be in for a surprize come 2014.

    I just have to add that Hulkenberg is the driver on the grid with a driving style similar to Raikkonen, with a cool intelligent head on him too. Lotus would be crazy not to take him, by replacing Raikkonen with Hulkenberg I think they would get continuity.

  26. I think this is a fantastic move to end the Era of ferrari hiring a Top number 1 driver, and a slave driver like Barrichelo and massa were that are not as fast… This is a totaly different aproach than working for only one driver…

    And this line up might also have a positive effect in the 2014 car development… With such strong line up, Scuderia’s developing team should be at a massive pressure to finaly deliver a championship winning car…

    Great move by Ferrari in my Opinion

  27. Don’t get me wrong I want to believe Domenicali but no way in hell was this descision backed by the spaniard, he’s going to have to live with it though becaus there is nowhere else (competitive that is) for him to go.

    It has the potential to work very well but for that to happen you need an Alonso that can accept that he is no longer the dominant leader he was.

  28. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    12th September 2013, 19:16

    Nice piece of PR from Domenicalli. But, although that could be enough to calm reporters about the “genius-gate”, what happens inside Ferrari doors from now on can be very different from the family photo they want to show us.

  29. “Since the world began, our drivers have always started on equal terms. It’s always been that way and always will.”

    What a load of crap. Was it like that in Germany a few years ago, mister Domenicali? Was it like that when Rubens had to move over in race number 6 of the season?

    Don’t talk like Formula 1 fans are idiots. Ferrari always had a number one and a number two drive. Hiring Kimi will put an end to that, so yes, a couple of things will chance for Alonso. Hiring Kimi means that Ferrari is throwing that all overboard.

    If it will turn out good or bad, we will have to wait and see, but don’t pretend that we are stupid and say that nothing had changed.

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