Räikkönen at Ferrari, a bad choice?

Kimi Räikkönen’s transfer to Ferrari is unquestionably the highlight of the end of summer in Formula 1. The Finn, returning to Maranello next year after a rather successful first stint between 2007 and 2009, is making headlines. Opinions differ around the debate table. For example, Cesare Fiorio, 74, Ferrari team director between 1989 and 1990, believes it is not a wise recruitment.

« I am not a fan of the new signing. I admire his talent, but I do not agree with his lifestyle and technical approach. I would not have chosen him. He does not live like an athlete, and to be a champion in F1, talent is not enough, » he stated to our Italian colleagues from Gazzetta dello Sport. « In my opinion, it’s a conservative choice. I would have gone for a promising driver rather than one at the twilight of his career. »

Another point of contention is the technical contribution of Iceman. C. Fiorio does not know how much he can contribute technically. Stefano Domenicali, the current director of Scuderia, has no doubt: “As far as the technical side of things is concerned, not only do we know very well how much Kimi can contribute at an important moment like this, where the technical framework is changing so significantly, but we have top-notch information from James Allison [technical director of Lotus who joined Ferrari mid-season], on how much the Finn has also progressed in this area over the past two years.”

« We worked with Kimi for three years between 2007 and 2009, and we never had any problems. Of course, everyone operates in their own way, and you can’t expect a Finn to tell jokes in Italian or act like a clown! » he admitted. « Honestly, I think the combination of Fernando’s expressive and passionate Latin character and someone like Kimi’s cool style, to put it that way, seems to appeal to many, including young people, and our partners are in agreement with that. »

Two world champions in the same team, especially at Ferrari, which is not inclined to place two roosters in the same henhouse, raises questions among observers. For Cesare Fiorio, who had to manage Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell in 1990, the 2005 and 2006 world champion is not necessarily against the arrival of K. Räikkönen: « In my opinion, Alonso is happy: his merit will be greater by beating him. » For him, the cohabitation will go well: « I see no problem. In any case, the new duo will be the strongest in 2014: the Mercedes duo is close, but Rosberg is very irregular, he does exceptional things and then he disappears. »

An opinion shared by Stefano Domenicali: « Regarding the Dream Team, I am not in the habit of dreaming with my eyes wide open, as it is not in my nature to do so. I would only say that the combination of Fernando and Kimi is the best possible in Formula 1 today, in terms of talent, experience, competitive spirit, and ability to develop the car. »

Despite everything, the sum of individual interests and talents will remain, whatever happens, inferior to the team’s interest: « Nothing will change in the way the team operates. Since the beginning of time, our drivers have always started on equal footing. It’s always been like this and it always will be, » says S. Domenicali. Equality yes, but up to a certain point: « Later, during the season, if the situation is such that one driver can help the other in terms of standings, it is logical and appropriate for that to happen. It has happened in the past and it will happen in the future, as all the drivers who have driven a Ferrari have shown. »

For Martin Brundle, former driver in the 1980s and 1990s and consultant for Sky Sports, everything won’t go smoothly: “I don’t think Alonso will be very happy to see Räikkönen [arrive]. [The latter] will make his own way. If he hears a radio message ‘Fernando is faster than you,’ Kimi Räikkönen won’t move aside. He will respond: ‘Then why is he behind me, if he’s faster?’… and a few curses. He will certainly keep Alonso on his toes. It will be the strongest pair in Formula 1.”

Here again, Stefano Domenicali wants to temper the naysayers: « It’s like thinking that football fans who fear a rival team because they have so many good strikers end up hoping they will fight among themselves for the ball… For all those who think Kimi’s choice is somehow an “anti-Alonso” decision, I can reassure them: at Ferrari, everyone knows that the interests of the team come first. […] Fernando is a major asset to this team and will be for a long time. I’m sure he’s the first to be happy with the choices made to strengthen the team because he’s too intelligent not to understand that a stronger team is an advantage. »