Being a Kimi Raikkonen fan is like riding a rollercoaster … blindfolded. Rumours and speculation about his career seem to materialise almost daily! So much so that it’s hard to know which ones to deserve your attention. Billy Joel said it best … “we didn’t start the fire, it’s been always burning since the world’s been turning, we didn’t start the fire, and it still goes on, and it will go on, and on, and on, and on”.
This time a visit to the Williams factory have added fuel to the already roaring fire. Steve Robertson, Kimi’s manager, have declined to comment on the recent rumours … then again, they weren’t denied either.
Why it won’t happen
On more than one occasion Kimi has categorically stated, if he were to return to Formula 1, he would only do so in a car that will allow him to challenge for race wins. Despite it once being a greatly successful team, Williams is far from disturbing the front-end of the grid.
In their defence, the recent reshuffle in management i.e. Sam Michael’s departure and the hiring of Mike Coughlan (known to have designed some decent cars and for er … spygate) does suggest that the team is working hard to get back to their former glory.
Another reason for the Finn’s visit could have to do with his interest in competing in the Le Mans 24 race in 2012. A recent test session in Spain impressed Peugeot bosses enough to suggest that Raikkonen could be offered a seat for the most prestigious race on the motorsport calendar. Not to be caught unprepared Raikkonen has expressed a desire to race in the Le Mans series to prepare for Le Mans proper. The Jaguar C-X75 could have been his reason for visiting Grove.
Covering every possible reason for his visit, Raikkonen could be looking at acquiring some stock in the Williams organisation. It doesn’t exactly sound like the ‘racing-is-all-I-care-about’ Kimi that we know. However he has become quite the businessman since his very lucrative days in F1. Apart from his privately funded IceOne WRC team he also founded his own Motorcross World Championship team earlier this year.
Why Williams would make sense
Why would a former world champion, used to racing for the best teams on the grid, be interested in joining a mid-field runner?
Formula 1 is the sport that never sleeps. The rate at which things evolve and change is blinding. Given that he has been out of F1 for a few years, his re-introduction won’t be a simple matter of getting in the cockpit and driving. The most crucial aspect will be getting to grips with the Pirelli tyres, no pun intended. The return of in-season testing will help his cause though.
Kimi notoriously hates the media and PR work required of a Formula 1 driver. His monotonous answer has frustrated many a journalist. He remains wildly popular however, amongst fans and in the paddock and importantly for Williams, with potential sponsors.
Having been out of the top echelon of motorsport for a number of years could be prompting Kimi to look for an ‘expectation-free’ drive. He could slot into Williams and familiarise himself with the ‘new’ F1 without being under pressure to score big results. He can get on with what he does best – driving fast.
In all probability the driver market is set to undergo a big shuffle for 2013. The rumours that Jenson Button will be joining Ferrari in 2013 seem a bit far-fetched at the moment; however Felipe Massa, winless for the past three years, is almost certainly going to be looking for alternative employment. Mark Webber’s Red Bull contract has only been extended till the end of next season, which could create a possible vacant seat at the Milton Keyes based team. Michael Schumacher’s comeback was only slated to go for three seasons and so does his contract at Mercedes. Should things go according to plan at Williams, meaning Raikkonen dishes up his mega speed, he could be sitting pretty in time for 2013.