Autoblog: "Raikkonen to leave Ferrari for new Fiat/Abarth rally team?"
#1
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/raikkonen-abarth-finland.jpg)
The World Rally Championship is targeting the participation of four major manufacturers within the next two seasons, and according to the latest scuttlebutt, they just might get what they are wishing for. At the turn of the millennium, the premier rally series had seven manufacturers, but series organizers and promoters reportedly feel that four would make for a more competitive environment.
Suzuki and Subaru recently withdrew their works teams from the championship, leaving Ford and Citroën as the only manufacturers in the sport together with the independent customer teams. Both Volkswagen and Fiat are expected to launch WRC efforts in the near future, but it's Fiat's initiative that's garnering the most interest in the motorsport press, as it's rumored to include one very big name.
According to rumors, Kimi Raikkonen will leave Formula One and Scuderia Ferrari to lead the Fiat rally team, expected to compete under the Abarth name. Raikkonen recently contested a series of rallies in his spare time behind the wheel of his own S2000-spec Fiat Punto Abarth (pictured above), adding fuel to the speculation suggesting that Raikkonen could have his existing contract with Ferrari simply transferred over to the Abarth outfit, as it falls under the same Fiat group umbrella as Ferrari. The move would make room for Fernando Alonso to take Kimi's place in the culmination of a long anticipated move for the Spanish champion.
[Source: Autosport and Pitpass | Image: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty]
Suzuki and Subaru recently withdrew their works teams from the championship, leaving Ford and Citroën as the only manufacturers in the sport together with the independent customer teams. Both Volkswagen and Fiat are expected to launch WRC efforts in the near future, but it's Fiat's initiative that's garnering the most interest in the motorsport press, as it's rumored to include one very big name.
According to rumors, Kimi Raikkonen will leave Formula One and Scuderia Ferrari to lead the Fiat rally team, expected to compete under the Abarth name. Raikkonen recently contested a series of rallies in his spare time behind the wheel of his own S2000-spec Fiat Punto Abarth (pictured above), adding fuel to the speculation suggesting that Raikkonen could have his existing contract with Ferrari simply transferred over to the Abarth outfit, as it falls under the same Fiat group umbrella as Ferrari. The move would make room for Fernando Alonso to take Kimi's place in the culmination of a long anticipated move for the Spanish champion.
[Source: Autosport and Pitpass | Image: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty]
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Prior to Massa's injury this was always the plan; to move Kimi to the parent company team to make room for Alonso. Rumors are that Massa is going to try to come back for his home GP in Brazil, but head injuries are nothing to take lightly. Some medical experts believe Massa may never again race in F1 due to the high physical demand necessary to pilot such a vehicle. That leads to speculation that Kimi would be forced to stay on at Ferrari and partner with Alonso for 2010.
#4
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
#5
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You guys are right. My bad. Self-imposed 24 hour ban to start now...
![bigbye](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/xyxwave.gif)
Trending Topics
#8
Instructor
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ft Worth TX
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'd rather see Kimi stay. However, I wouldn't blame either for not wanting to be teammates with Alonsette. Either KR or FM would be competitive with him and we all know how he gets when that happens!
#9
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Don't be so hard on your lewis ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
No please expound ......... better than Schumi worst than Schumi ...
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![hiha](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/roflmao.gif)