Kimi Raikkonen likely to join Williams in 2012, announcement due at Abu Dhabi GP – Formula 1 news
Finnish MTV has reported that Williams might be announcing signing up Kimi Raikkonen at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The report suggests that Williams will announce Raikkonen alongside Pastor Maldonado as their drivers for 2012. It is believed that Williams have been able to acquire substantial backing from Qatar National Bank (QND). Williams has also been able to secure
Renault engines for the 2012 season. Both of these changes have been considered enough to have attracted Raikkonen’s attention back to Formula 1.
Raikkonen also known as Iceman by his fans, is considered one of the most popular drivers, and if he is to make his return next season, it will mean that a total of six Formula 1 champions will be lining up on the grid in 2012.
The former champion and his management team have kept his comeback plans low key and are not commenting on reports of a comeback which came during the recently concluded Indian GP.
On the other hand, Williams have remained quite as well, but Chairman Adam Parr did let in on a bit of information at the Indian GP, “Kimi has been one of the most competent drivers in the last few years and I think everyone would like to see him back in
F1.”
With regards to returning to a team struggling at the wrong end of the grid, Raikkonen is quoted saying in various German media, “Of course you always want a winning car, but as we have seen this year, there is only one team that really has that.”
Raikkonen has been out of Formula 1 since 2009, to pursue a career in rally racing though he has been unsuccessful to make a mark in the sport. He won the world championship in 2007 and has a total of 65 podiums, 18 wins and 16 pole positions.
No doubt, Williams would love to have a world champion added to their team and that is why they have been very keen to sign him. The contract negotiations will mean that Raikkonen might have to compromise a little but a healthy bonus plan should be good
enough to motivate him, a spokesman Williams said.
It remains to be seen how the negotiations unfold and whether Williams actually announce signing up Raikkonen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix or not.
Tags: