Mika Hakkinen believes Raikkonen’s move to Red Bull would be sensible – Formula 1 news
Former Formula 1 driver Mika Hakkinen has claimed that Kimi Raikkonen’s move to Red Bull in 2014 would make more sense than staying with Lotus.
The Finn is currently enjoying a very good relationship with his current team and is considered as one of the top championship contenders of the ongoing season. He has scored one victory out of the five races and is placed at number two, four points behind
leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.
However, there is a speculation that Raikkonen has been contacted by Red Bull to replace their driver Mark Webber, who is expected to end his Formula 1 career by the end of the 2013 season.
Asked if the Iceman’s move would be a sensible one, Hakkinen said, “We can see that Red Bull’s situation is quite a lot stronger. If there is a place open there, then yes, I think it would be quite logical.”
Although the reigning world champion team has been dictating terms for the past several years, yet no one can predict that they will be able to maintain their dominance in the coming years, especially in the wake of the engine rule changes, which will be
implemented from next year.
Raikkonen is aware of this situation and said, “Of course, they (Red Bull) have won a number of years in a row, but next year the rules are changing. It’s a bit of a lottery who will make a good car and who will not.”
At the moment, the 2007 world champion would be fully focussed on delivering solid results with Lotus in order to claim the second title of his career. He does not have the fastest car right now, but the tyre wear situation is favouring him. Even if he fails
to qualify at the front row of the grid, he manages to make up places on the race day.
In his previous outing in Spain, Raikkonen finished second on the podium simply because of the fact that he pitted one time less compared to most of the front runners. However, he will be aware of the fact that he needs to win races in order to secure the
championship.
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