Looks like Kimi has decided to start preparing for next season now... From motorsports: The Formula One season of Kimi Raikkonen is over! The Finnish star of Lotus F1 Team – keeping third position in the drivers’ championship with 183 points – will go through a backsurgery on next Thursday, and because of that cannot race in the two last Grands Prix of USA and Brazil. Raikkonen has had problems with his back for a long time. During the practise in Singapore in September the pain got so bad, that Kimi would not have been able to participate the qualifying and the race without a cortisone injection. Now after the race in Abu Dhabi a week ago Kimi’s back has been even worse. He has not been able to sleep properly without painkillers. – The experts were recommending the surgery, and it will be done next Thursday in Salzburg, Steve Robertson, the manager of Raikkonen, breaks the news to Turun Sanomat. After the operation Kimi is cannot do anything for four weeks. This means the current season stops here. – Obviously, it is a disappointing way to end the relationship with Lotus after two successful seasons on Kimi's return to F1. However, Kimi cannot afford to delay anymore. It is crucial to correct the problem now to start 2014 fit and healthy, Robertson points out. Most likely the car number 7 will be driven in Austin by Davide Valsecchi, the Lotus test and reserve driver. Valsecchi has tested the E21 car for two days in Barcelona and Silverstone. If Valsecchi gets the drive, he will be the first Italian
It might not sound like that much, but an extra 30 days or so of rehab time after a surgery can be huge, and when your preparing a return to an F1 seat at Ferrari, I'm sure Kimi and the scuderia want no stone unturned... Wish him the very best, look forward to cheering him on with my favorite team next season...do wish things could have ended on a better note with Lotus, it has been a blast watching them the last couple years. It is what it is.
There are stories making the rounds the Alonso also is having severe back issues and may not make the USGP.
Alonso rang his bell or rather his backs bell at the last race. I believe he could well have injured his back too.
Qualifying for Austin to be on CNBC Qualifying for the US GP from Austin will be broadcast live on CNBC, not NBC Sports. The race will be on NBC Sports.
Felipe Massa joins Williams as team-mate to Valtteri Bottas in 2014 A fillip for Felipe and Brazil as he finds a new seat after Ferrari exit; Pastor Maldonado leaves Williams for destination unknown The Brazilian, dropped by the Scuderia after eight years of service in favour of Kimi Raikkonen, has put pen to paper on a 'multi-year' contract with the Grove outfit to partner Valtteri Bottas. "He is an exceptional talent and a real fighter on the race track," enthused team boss Sir Frank Williams. "He also brings a wealth of experience as we begin a new chapter in our story." The news ensures that F1 is guaranteed to have a Brazilian presence on the grid next term with Massa, who came within a whisker of winning the 2008 Drivers' Championship, following a path already familiar to a number of his compatriots in joining Williams. "Williams is one of the most successful and important teams of all time in Formula One. When I was a kid, I always dreamed about racing for Williams, Ferrari or McLaren and I'm glad to be signing with another icon of the sport following my time at Ferrari. It is also nice to remember that some of the best Brazilian drivers raced for Williams and cemented a strong national link with the team," said Massa, who also revealed he held talks with McLaren, Lotus, Force India and Sauber before opting to transfer to Williams. After returning to winning ways last year at the Spanish GP after a decade-long absence from the winner's enclosure, Williams have endured a wretched campaign, scoring just a solitary point. Nevertheless, hopes are already high for a more competitive season in 2014, in which the team will be powered by Mercedes engines - expected to be the grid leader - and overseen from the pitwall by Pat Symonds, Williams' recently-appointed Chief Technical Officer. Massa's arrival is likely to spark further reshuffling, with Rob Smedley, the Brazilian's long-time race engineer, widely tipped to follow the 32-year-old to Williams in a new technical role. According to Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams, confirmation of the team's driver line-up for next season is merely "part of a number of announcements we will be making over the coming weeks." After months of behind-the-scenes haggling and jockeying for position, it also appears as if the remaining pieces in the 2014 driver line-up jigsaw are finally falling into place. The sponsorship-laden Maldonado is expected to join Sauber, with Nico Hulkenberg seemingly in pole position to take Raikkonen's place at Lotus. That leaves McLaren as the burning topic of conversation inside the paddock, following the revelation that the team are seriously considering replacing Sergio Perez with Kevin Magnussen. -- Courtesy of Skye Sports --
I apologize if the above post regarding Felipe Massa was previously posted. If not, read and enjoy. Dave
That leaves McLaren as the burning topic of conversation inside the paddock, following the revelation that the team are seriously considering replacing Sergio Perez with Kevin Magnussen. Read more: http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/off-topic-racing/15818-f1-2013-a-138.html#ixzz2kZH6Yl3Z Didn't know McLaren was replacing Perez? I guess Button wasn't happy with him.
They have definitely decided to replace Perez, Whitmarsh released a confirmation today after Perez beat them to the punch. Also, though pundits predict Magnussen is in the lead as a possible replacement, McLaren claim he's just one of a few options they're considering.
Looks like Ferrari block Hulkenberg's move for the last 2 races by paying his unpaid salary. Therefor locking his contract. Formula One | Ferrari blocked Hulkenberg’s Lotus move
Heikki Kovalainen looks like a significant step down IMO. Where will the Hulk go since Lotus is no longer an option?