With Kimi Räikkönen taking a sabbatical during the Formula 1 2010 season to concentrate on his rally commitments with the backing of Red Bull, Christian Horner has managed to successfully avoid rumours that Kimi could return to F1 with Red Bull in 2011.
With the latest rumour being that Mark Webber could sign for RB again in 2011 this would see him run for his fifth consecutive year for the team.
Of course with Kimi driving in the WRC with the backing of the Red Bull energy drink company and the Finn saying that he will likely return to F1 in 2011, this could possibly see him RB bound in his journeys back to the paddock, it only makes sense right?
Speaking in recent interviews, Horner has said:
“I think Kimi has pledged his future to rallying,” said Horner. ”His heart seems to be firmly set on rallying, he is going about his campaign in preparation for his rally campaign this year and it is going to be fascinating to see how he performs in that arena.
“Certainly going the other way, when we tested Sebastien Loeb in Barcelona at the end of 2008, he acquitted himself very, very well.
“It will be interesting to see how Kimi performs but I think his focus is fully on rallying, and our focus is very much on our own drivers for the 2010 season.”
I doubt Kimi will return but it’s a good story to follow. Kimi’s a law unto himself so who knows what he wants to do.
I expect Webber will sign again for RBR but keep an eye on Kubica and Massa for the next silly season. If Kubica manages to snatch Massa’s seat then he could go to RBR. I expect Ferrari will keep the same line up but it’s very early and F1 is rarely straighforward.
Interesting comment Steph cheers. I too think Massa will probably go to RBR if Jenson sticks at McLaren, then again I’m not exactly sure how Massa would feel with a switch to McLaren but surprises are everything, I never thought in a milllion years Schumi would switch team, especially to Mercedes. 2008 showed us what Kubica is capable of so hopefully he gets a chance to shine this year again.
Kimi i feel is not going to return to F1,he simply has had enough of the politics and he loves WRC