Kimi's future

Ciro Pabón · Post 27 Mar 2006, 01:46

Poor, poor Kimi Raikonnen. What will he do? Will he sell matches under the rain? Boy, this guy really needs our career advice...

http://formula1.about.com/od/formulaone ... en2007.htm

f1.redbaron · Post 27 Mar 2006, 01:51

Ciro Pabón wrote:Poor, poor Kimi Raikonnen. What will he do? Will he sell matches under the rain? Boy, this guy really needs our career advice...

http://formula1.about.com/od/formulaone ... en2007.htm

I know that a lot of people believe that Toyota is not a championship contender, but I will be the first one to disagree on that one. Granted, it looks as though they may not even get any podiums this year (unless the TF106B really turns the things around), but he is not switching to Toyota this year. He would be driving for it in 2007. By that time, they should have their Bridglestone problems all figured out.

At the same time, the rest of the pack will be switching to Bridgestones in 2007 and might encounter similar problems.

Ciro Pabón · Post 27 Mar 2006, 02:22

f1.redbaron wrote:I know that a lot of people believe that Toyota is not a championship contender, but I will be the first one to disagree on that one.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:13-15

f1.redbaron · Post 28 Mar 2006, 02:20

Because theology was never my strongest side, I had to cheat (enter: google). If I'm not mistaken, that psalm refers to the thoughts of an individual who believes that he's bigger than God himself. Correct? (sorry I did a quick search).

If so, allow me to explain. I simply believe that, knowing the fundamentals of that company, they are able to spend so much money and not get any results. I agree that the current points standings speak louder, but, again, we're talking about the upcoming year. Who knows, maybe as a fan of that team, I'm willing to leave the reality and go to my own little world.

Cheers

DaveKillens · Post 28 Mar 2006, 03:03

Here's a tidbit I ran across in the April 2006 edition of Road and Track. It may have relevance, or then again, be noting but hot air. Toyota (actually Lexus) have a supercar under development, the Lexus GT 450 (or maybe badged GT500). It is definitely going into production, and it will be a 2 seater powered by a V-10 making around 500hp. The unknown is whether the engine will be 4.5 or 5.0 liters, and the badging will reflect the displacement.
A Toyota board member was overheard saying the supercar's official launch will coincide with the company's first win in F1, predicted to be summer of 2007.
Is this all real? Is Toyota actually got a long range game plan? One part of me says... "no freaking way, they want to win as soon as possible, like everyone else". But I also know that in big business, marketing and advertising is planned out. And Toyota is spending a LOT of money in F1, and soon they will eclipse GM as the largest auto manufacturer on this globe.
Toyota has done radical driver changes before, and it believable that there will be another driver change coming from Toyota at or near the end of this season. Kimi to Toyota? hmm, the plot thickens.

f1.redbaron · Post 28 Mar 2006, 03:39

DaveKillens wrote:Here's a tidbit I ran across in the April 2006 edition of Road and Track. It may have relevance, or then again, be noting but hot air. Toyota (actually Lexus) have a supercar under development, the Lexus GT 450 (or maybe badged GT500). It is definitely going into production, and it will be a 2 seater powered by a V-10 making around 500hp. The unknown is whether the engine will be 4.5 or 5.0 liters, and the badging will reflect the displacement.
A Toyota board member was overheard saying the supercar's official launch will coincide with the company's first win in F1, predicted to be summer of 2007.
Is this all real? Is Toyota actually got a long range game plan? One part of me says... "no freaking way, they want to win as soon as possible, like everyone else". But I also know that in big business, marketing and advertising is planned out. And Toyota is spending a LOT of money in F1, and soon they will eclipse GM as the largest auto manufacturer on this globe.
Toyota has done radical driver changes before, and it believable that there will be another driver change coming from Toyota at or near the end of this season. Kimi to Toyota? hmm, the plot thickens.

Dave, the car in question is Lexus IS500.

It is Lexus' answer to the never-ending criticism they're getting from all kinds of sports cars fans. Their main competitors all have true racing machines (BMW M-serier, Mercedes AMG), but Toyota/Lexus had always been conservative...until the introduction of this IS500.

It will be powered by the 4.3L engine (which begs the questions: "Why call it IS500 and not IS430") currently used by GS models. This concept had once been tried with the older version of the IS, but it never hit the full production...it was a vehicle built for "future projects".

If what you're saying is right, that would be a HUGE marketing victory.

DaveKillens · Post 28 Mar 2006, 04:59

We shall just have to see how everything plays out.... but right now, only Kimi, and maybe a very few select people know where he's going.

emburmak · Post 29 Mar 2006, 02:32

Have to agree with that. All we are hearing at the moment is rumours!