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Angry Raikkonen takes Renault to task
Source: Agencies |
October 7, 2010, Thursday
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FORMER Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen has accused Renault of using his name for its own ends after ruling out a comeback with the team next season.
The Finn, champion with Ferrari in 2007, has been competing in the world rally championship with Citroen since he left Formula One at the end of last year and has appeared eager to stay there.
However, Renault team boss Eric Boullier, who has yet to decide the future of his Russian driver Vitaly Petrov, said last month that Raikkonen had contacted the team about a possible comeback.
"I am very disappointed with the way they (Renault) have used my name for their own marketing purposes," Raikkonen told Finnish daily Turun Sanomat in an interview.
"At no point have I even seriously considered driving for Renault and I can assure that it is 100 percent certain that I will not drive for Renault in 2011.
"My managers have weeks ago been in contact, once, with Renault's team leader (Boullier). That is all."
The official Formula One Website quoted Boullier as saying only this week that he was flattered by Raikkonen's interest but would reserve judgement. "He contacted us. But once again, our main issue at the moment is whether we should keep Petrov," said the Frenchman, who has Poland's highly-rated Robert Kubica confirmed as his main driver.
"Regarding Kimi, I would have to speak personally with him first, look him in the eyes to see if I see enough motivation there for him to return to Formula One," Boullier added.
"It doesn't make sense to hire somebody, even a former world champion, if you cannot be sure that his motivation is still 100 percent. Why should you invest in somebody who leaves you guessing?"
Renault is fifth overall in this season's championship with four races remaining.
The Finn, champion with Ferrari in 2007, has been competing in the world rally championship with Citroen since he left Formula One at the end of last year and has appeared eager to stay there.
However, Renault team boss Eric Boullier, who has yet to decide the future of his Russian driver Vitaly Petrov, said last month that Raikkonen had contacted the team about a possible comeback.
"I am very disappointed with the way they (Renault) have used my name for their own marketing purposes," Raikkonen told Finnish daily Turun Sanomat in an interview.
"At no point have I even seriously considered driving for Renault and I can assure that it is 100 percent certain that I will not drive for Renault in 2011.
"My managers have weeks ago been in contact, once, with Renault's team leader (Boullier). That is all."
The official Formula One Website quoted Boullier as saying only this week that he was flattered by Raikkonen's interest but would reserve judgement. "He contacted us. But once again, our main issue at the moment is whether we should keep Petrov," said the Frenchman, who has Poland's highly-rated Robert Kubica confirmed as his main driver.
"Regarding Kimi, I would have to speak personally with him first, look him in the eyes to see if I see enough motivation there for him to return to Formula One," Boullier added.
"It doesn't make sense to hire somebody, even a former world champion, if you cannot be sure that his motivation is still 100 percent. Why should you invest in somebody who leaves you guessing?"
Renault is fifth overall in this season's championship with four races remaining.
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