Related News
Home » Sports » Motor Racing
Renault claims Kimi contact
Source: Agencies |
September 15, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER world champion Kimi Raikkonen has put himself back in the frame for a Formula One return with Renault, according to team boss Eric Boullier.
"He is on the radar because he contacted us," the autosport.com website quoted the Frenchman as saying after the Italian Grand Prix.
Raikkonen won the 2007 title with Ferrari but the Finn has spent the last year in the world rally championship after being replaced by Spaniard Fernando Alonso at the Italian team.
Recent reports have suggested he would stay in rallying with Citroen.
"You never know but I will probably never return to Formula One," French newspaper L'Equipe quoted the 30-year-old as saying last month. Renault has yet to announce its second driver for 2011, with only Poland's Robert Kubica confirmed, but has said it is willing to give Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov, who finished 13th in Monza after scoring points in his three previous races, time to prove himself.
Boullier said the team was getting more and more approaches from drivers and Raikkonen was one of them. "We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option.
"There are several other options, and one of them is Kimi."
Meanwhile, Germany's Nick Heidfeld will replace Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa and return to Sauber for the remaining five races of the season.
Heidfeld, 33, was the Mercedes reserve driver this season until taking on the role of tester for next year's sole tire provider Pirelli.
The experienced and highly regarded German has spent much of his career with Swiss-based Sauber, racing for it from 2001-03 and from 2006 until BMW quit the sport at the end of last season.
De la Rosa, 39, was making a comeback after years as McLaren reserve and after three seasons out. The Spaniard had struggled to be competitive, with Japanese rookie Kamui Kobayashi scoring 21 of the team's 27 points so far.
De la Rosa did not hide his disappointment at being dropped.
"I am surprised by the team's decision but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season. I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011," he said in a statement.
"He is on the radar because he contacted us," the autosport.com website quoted the Frenchman as saying after the Italian Grand Prix.
Raikkonen won the 2007 title with Ferrari but the Finn has spent the last year in the world rally championship after being replaced by Spaniard Fernando Alonso at the Italian team.
Recent reports have suggested he would stay in rallying with Citroen.
"You never know but I will probably never return to Formula One," French newspaper L'Equipe quoted the 30-year-old as saying last month. Renault has yet to announce its second driver for 2011, with only Poland's Robert Kubica confirmed, but has said it is willing to give Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov, who finished 13th in Monza after scoring points in his three previous races, time to prove himself.
Boullier said the team was getting more and more approaches from drivers and Raikkonen was one of them. "We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option.
"There are several other options, and one of them is Kimi."
Meanwhile, Germany's Nick Heidfeld will replace Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa and return to Sauber for the remaining five races of the season.
Heidfeld, 33, was the Mercedes reserve driver this season until taking on the role of tester for next year's sole tire provider Pirelli.
The experienced and highly regarded German has spent much of his career with Swiss-based Sauber, racing for it from 2001-03 and from 2006 until BMW quit the sport at the end of last season.
De la Rosa, 39, was making a comeback after years as McLaren reserve and after three seasons out. The Spaniard had struggled to be competitive, with Japanese rookie Kamui Kobayashi scoring 21 of the team's 27 points so far.
De la Rosa did not hide his disappointment at being dropped.
"I am surprised by the team's decision but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season. I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011," he said in a statement.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
