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Kimi Raikkonen bankrupted Lotus
Kimi Raikkonen bankrupted Lotus
In the realm of Formula 1, few drivers have left an indelible mark as profound as Kimi Raikkonen. His stint with Lotus-Renault from 2012 to 2013 showcased a remarkable resurgence, yet the success came with an unexpected financial toll on the team.
After bidding farewell to Ferrari in 2009, where he clinched his sole World Championship in 2007, Raikkonen ventured into the world of rallying and even made appearances in NASCAR. However, the allure of Formula 1 drew him back in 2012, as he inked a two-year deal with Lotus-Renault.
The Resurgence: A Financial Double-Edged Sword
Raikkonen’s return to Formula 1 proved nothing short of spectacular. He swiftly adapted to the competition, finishing second in Bahrain and securing a memorable victory in the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Over the two years with Lotus, he amassed an impressive 390 points, including 13 podium finishes and two triumphant race outings.
Kimi Raikkonen bankrupted Lotus
However, the team found itself grappling with unexpected financial distress. Raikkonen’s contract included a performance bonus tied to World Championship points, a clause that almost pushed Lotus to the brink of bankruptcy. Gérard Lopéz, the team boss, had committed to paying €50,000 per point, leading to a staggering €19.5 million payout owing to Raikkonen’s stellar performance.
A Journalist’s Perspective: The Real Kimi Raikkonen
Finnish journalist Heikki Kulta, reflecting on Raikkonen’s comeback, shared insights in an article titled ‘The Real Kimi Raikkonen – a Finnish perspective of the Iceman.’ He expressed amazement at Raikkonen’s rapid adaptation after the hiatus and recounted the unexpected financial burden on Lotus.
Kulta vividly described Raikkonen’s blunt personality, labeling him as one of Formula 1’s most honest and lovable characters. The Finnish driver’s straightforward approach to interviews, where he eschewed political correctness, became a trademark of his persona.
Unfiltered Honesty: A McLaren Interview Anecdote
Kulta reminisced about an interview McLaren requested for their Racing Line publication during Raikkonen’s tenure with the team. Raikkonen’s unfiltered honesty came to the forefront when asked about his first impression of the new MP4-19 in 2004.
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In Finnish, Raikkonen bluntly stated, “It is complete sh*t.” Faced with the challenge of conveying this message diplomatically, Kulta crafted a more subdued English version for the magazine, explaining that the car had not met Raikkonen’s expectations. The season, plagued by retirements, only improved when the MP4-19B arrived.
The Legacy: Raikkonen’s Formula 1 Journey
Raikkonen continued to race in Formula 1 until his retirement at the close of the 2021 season, concluding his iconic career with Alfa Romeo. His three-season stint with the team marked the end of an era, leaving an enduring legacy as one of the sport’s most authentic and celebrated figures.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1, Raikkonen’s story stands as a testament to triumphs and tribulations, a narrative woven with unparalleled honesty and a driving prowess that almost pushed a team to financial limits. As the motorsport world moves forward, the enigmatic legacy of Kimi Raikkonen will undoubtedly endure.
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A former Ferrari engineer has criticised the decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton and thinks the Brit’s presence will mean “a lot of potential for drama”.
At the age of 40, seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton will form a formidable driver partnership with Charles Leclerc. His big switch comes at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who has performed well for the Italian squad but who was axed so they had room for their blockbuster new signing.
But not everyone of a Ferrari persuasion is convinced that it will go well. Ernest Knoors, who spent many years as an engineer at Maranello, specialising in power units, worries that Hamilton’s presence could do more harm than good for a team that is finding its groove under Frederic Vasseur.
“A big name like Hamilton also brings a lot of politics and if politics within Ferrari are not managed well, then there is a lot of potential for drama,” he told Formule1.nl. “Hamilton has the tendency that if things do not work out, he turns his whole car upside down and starts experimenting.
“Ferrari believes very much in the big personalities and will follow him. But Hamilton is just someone you have to guide a little bit and not give the freedom to rebuild the whole car, because then it will go completely wrong. So I do not know if it is such a smart move, but of course it is nice for the sport.”
News of Hamilton’s planned move broke on February 1, coinciding with football’s Transfer Deadline Day. That the back pages of many newspapers were dominated by the decision of Hamilton to swap Mercedes for Ferrari was testament to the magnitude of the announcement.
Sainz was not surprised as he had been informed by his team of the plan ahead of it being made public. But the Spaniard responded well with two victories to date this season and five further appearances on the podium, on the way to what looks likely to be a fifth-placed finish in the championship – two spots and 54 points ahead of Hamilton.
Sainz has signed for Williams next year and, after several years of running at the front of the grid, will focus on his new challenge of helping restore one of the grid’s most historic teams to its former glory. But Knoors believes he should have been kept on by Ferrari instead.
The Dutchman added: “I see Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari more as a PR move. With all due respect, Hamilton is not going to take that Ferrari from P6 to P1. He will get the most out of it, but what Ferrari has to do is make that car faster. And if you make that car faster, you can easily drive at the front with the current line-up.
“Besides, as a team you have to look further on the horizon. If Hamilton becomes champion in the coming years, he and Ferrari will become immortal. But if you want to build a team with talent for the next five years, are you going to build on Hamilton? No, because he will really be finished after two or three years. That is why I would have kept the very strong line-up that Ferrari has now.”
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Chase Elliott had a front-row seat for one of NASCAR’s most bizarre moments of the 2024 Cup Series season. At the start of Stage 2, the pace car dove onto pit road in front of Elliott; however, it was a tad too late. The pace car made contact with the sand barrels at the entry of pit road and caused a red flag for cleanup.
Initially, there was some speculation on the NBC Sports broadcast, even from the No. 9 team, that Elliott made contact with the pace car. Fortunately, the pace car didn’t slide across the No. 9 car’s nose, but it undoubtedly provided one of NASCAR’s craziest red flag moments in recent memory.
Below, you can listen to Elliott and the No. 9 team react to the pace car crashing into the sand barrels on pit road at Phoenix during Championship Weekend!
Reflecting on the recent retirement of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., Earnhardt didn’t mince words about the toll NASCAR takes on its drivers. Speaking candidly, the two-time Daytona 500 winner admitted that the pressure to perform every week left him feeling miserable for most of his racing career—a sentiment he believes is shared by many of his peers.
“Right or wrong, racing made me a miserable person 90% of the time,” Earnhardt confessed. “And him too. I mean, ask Kyle Busch, ask anybody—unless you’re winning, you’re not happy.”
For these elite drivers, the sport is a relentless grind. A podium finish might bring temporary relief, but anything short of victory is often a source of frustration. The immense effort poured into preparation and execution rarely feels like it pays off unless the checkered flag is theirs.
Earnhardt highlighted the mental toll of falling short, explaining how the relentless focus on winning can overshadow the joy of simply competing. Even a solid performance feels hollow compared to the euphoria of a win.
“Unless you’re winning, you’re not happy at all,” he said. “You’re okay with a good run, but for the most part, all the effort it takes just to run good—it doesn’t weigh out.”
For drivers, the stakes are sky-high every week. Sponsors, fans, and teams demand nothing less than excellence, leaving little room for error or personal satisfaction in anything less than a dominant performance.
Earnhardt also shared insights into his friendship with Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement. While the two often spend time hunting together during NASCAR’s off-season, Earnhardt noted that the stress of racing even creeps into their leisure activities.
“When I’m with him during hunting season, it’s always in the back of his mind,” Earnhardt said. “It’s that stressful part of the year when he’s as miserable as he’s going to be.”
Now, with Truex stepping away from the track, Earnhardt looks forward to seeing a lighter, happier version of his long-time friend. Without the weight of weekly competition hanging over him, Truex might finally be able to relax and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle he cherishes.
“It’ll be fun to see him loosen up,” Earnhardt added.
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