Kimi Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson has all but confirmed that Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo will drive for the world champion Red Bull team in 2014 replacing the departing Mark Webber. Robertson told Autosport that talks with Red Bull had come to an end thereby leaving the only other real contender as Ricciardo unless of course you believe the fanciful rumours that Fernando Alonso was in talks with them too.
Ricciardo is a risk, of that there is no doubt. He qualifies well but has yet to demonstrate consistent performances in the races, in fact often his Toro Rosso team mate Jean-Eric Vergne ends up ahead. However also of no doubt is that Ricciardo offers a great deal of potential and perhaps it would have been wrong to ignore that in favour of Kimi despite the fact the Finn would offer instant speed and consistency equal or better than Mark Webber offered.
But perhaps Red Bull also thought that to team Vettel with another world champion might create friction despite the two drivers reported friendship. This move also demonstrates faith in the Red Bull young driver project of which so far only Sebastian Vettel has graduated to the top.
The Australian will offer solid support and probably won't be expected to lay too much pressure on Vettel, especially in his first year. I think it's great to see a new driver gain a spot with a top team, it's always good to see new winners, and with this drive he'll certainly be expected to win.
However, his promotion won't guarantee him instant success; with the massive 2014 regulation changes there is no certainty that Red Bull will be the team to beat. Sergio Perez has found out that joining a top team is not always an easy way to step on the podium.
I think Ricciardo deserves his shot but I wouldd have liked to seen Kimi in the team, for no reason other than it would be an exceptional mouth watering line up, and it would be great to see them racing together. I'm not one to subscribe to the Vettel has to go up against a top driver in the same car to prove himself. He's one of the elite drivers out there, there shouldn't be any question, but still it would have been nice, and if Vettel had won out, which ultimately I think he would have done, it would have enhanced his reputation nicely indeed.
So what of Kimi Raikkonen? Well his preference is to remain with Lotus if they can sort out their reported financial difficulties. He obviously wants them to remain a top team, and they can only do that with a suitable budget. It's rumoured that a Kimi hasn't been paid on time on a few occasions this year already, but Lotus surely remains his most likely home, after all the team is built around him now.
The other rumour that the BBC's Eddie Jordan has claimed is that he could end up at Ferrari in place of Felipe Massa. How ironic it would be if he were to rejoin the Italian squad after they paid him not to drive in 2010 paving the way for Alonso to join.
How happy Alonso would be to have Kimi in the team is uncertain, and it definitely would mean they couldn't run the team as a one car operation. Felipe Massa is compliant and he still has time to save his seat as he did last year, but Kimi rejoining Ferrari isn't as unlikely as it sounds and remember Jordan has previous having predicted Hamilton's move to Mercedes. Having said that Ferrari have denied reports that it is a done deal, and have said that they're not yet focusing on their 2014 driver line up.
Other possibilities for the Ferrari seat are Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg as I wrote earlier this year here. Hulkenberg particularly has strong Ferrari links and could be promoted if Massa's time with the prancing horse comes to an end.
There are still three top line seats available this year. One at Ferrari and two at Lotus. Kimi is certainly going to be having one of them, while if his recent improvement in form continues then Romain Grosjean will remain with Lotus.
That leaves one and if Kimi isn't at Ferrari next year then it won't be too much of a surprise to see Felipe Massa still. I still have hope that he can rediscover his form of 2008/9 but that Ferrari drive I think is the most likely to change. Hulkenberg may not have been having a great season in terms of results at Sauber, but his profile is still good and he's seen as a driver who has major potential.
di Resta's profile isn't as high despite his good form this year. He deserves a chance in a top team, but I can see him being looked over once again. He was beaten by Hulkenberg at Force India last year, and he does seem to have gained a reputation as bit of a whinger.
Whether right or wrong, di Resta hasn't managed to gain himself a star quality performance that makes people sit up and take note, such as when Hulkenberg took pole position for Williams in 2010.
It's still an interesting driver market out there, but expect the major seat to be announced this coming weekend, as Ricciardo deservedly joins the big time.
photo taken from autosport.com
No comments:
Post a Comment