Ferrari: "Kimi is at his best when he is a bit worried"

  • Published on 20 Apr 2015 08:42
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
At least for now, Ferrari is leaving the door slightly ajar for Lewis Hamilton. After declaring that Hamilton would make a great teammate for Sebastian Vettel next year, Bernie Ecclestone backtracked just ahead of the race in Bahrain. "No," the F1 supremo told British television Sky. "He's happy where he is."

We are looking for you! Write for us!



But Mercedes and Hamilton are yet to agree terms for a new contract beyond 2015, and rumours in Bahrain about a potential move to Ferrari were widespread. That, however, was before Kimi Raikkonen on Sunday bounced back from a fallow 2014 to challenge Hamilton for victory in Bahrain.

The Finn is making no secret he wants to keep his red cockpit. "I'm happy for Kimi," said Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene after the race, "because now I can say officially that he is back and we have two strong drivers. But that does not mean that I am going to sign a contract with Kimi tomorrow, which I made clear when I talked about the matter with him."

"If you ask me now if he deserves the agreement, I say yes. But I want to keep him alert. Kimi is at his best when he is a bit worried. This is his kind of psychological approach," Arrivabene is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat. "At the moment, the paper is still white," the charismatic Italian continued. "It seems that when I picked up the pen, Kimi went onto the podium!"

Arrivabene's position also sends the loud-and-clear message to Hamilton that the door to Maranello is not slammed shut. "Lewis is a world champion," he is quoted by Germany's Sky, "and every world champion dreams of driving one day for Ferrari. But right now we have two world champions and we don't need another."

Also happy with a timely driver resurgence on Sunday was Mercedes, whose Nico Rosberg fought aggressively and only lost second place due to a brake problem. "It was a new Rosberg," declared team chairman Niki Lauda. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,162
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 187
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar