Hakkinen

[bernard]

Ok. This rumour has been going on way too long to be just a "rumour"
Hakkinen is seriously thinking of a return. This has been said by many people who know Mika, including his ex-manager Rosberg and Ron Dennis to mention a few.
But williams has already filled both it's places. Vey unlikely position. Anyway, the latest rumour has it that Hakkinen demands a salary of something like 20-30 million euro's. Definately not a Williams salary. Bar too seems unlikely. So lets think about it. What team still has a place open, has that kind of money, one of the most powerful engines on the grid, and a serious aim of world championship in a two year timeline? That's right... Toyota! I wonder why this hasn't been mentioned as one of Hakkinens possibilities. Their options are Trulli or Hakkinen... I would go for Hakkinen, as Trulli left Renault for money, and i would rather put my money on hakkinen than Trulli.
Hakkinen doesn't make mistakes, whereas Trulli is no stranger to them, and that mistake for Barrichello was just unforgivable.
Would be nice to see Hakkinen beat R. Schumacher's ass and show how much Ralf really is worth.

[sharkie17]

i would love to see MH in toyota.

he's on crack if he thinks he's going to get 20 to 30 million euros from ANY team.

[dumrick]

I see you also focused on that overtaking (Barrichello from Trulli in France). That only shows how successful Briatore was in his campaign to get rid of Trulli. Alonso made a lot more faults this year and no-one ever made the fuss that was made about that.

Of course Hakkinen's return would be excellent news, but I don't feel that Ralf has made his move to Toyota without being sure that he would have a word in his team mate choice... and, if that's true, he shouldn't accept Hakkinen. Add it to Trulli's claim that he already has a contact for 2005...

[bernard]

Sharkie, I'll give you a question: If you ran an F1 team, would you pay ralf 20 million $? Me neither. But still he got it from toyota. Against that backround 20 milion doesn't sound that much.
But I agree, 20-30 milion is a lot. That is not an official announcement, just a rumour, so I'm not sure whether it's true.
I think he would do it for something like 10 million, given that he gets a good car.

[Monstrobolaxa]

Mika should come back....though he's a little fat right now...but nothing that a few weeks at the gym can't cure.

About his salary I'd give him a 5 million dollar contract with a 100,000 dollar bonus for every point scored in the championship. I would give him a 2 year contract with a extension for a third year (this extension based on a performance clause, about 15 points by mid-season). For the second year he you get a half a million dollar raise and the points bonus would go up to 125,000 dollars. In the third year...well we'd have to discuss it at the time.

In terms of public relations he'd have to do a sponsor day every Wednesday or thursday before each race weekend and would have reserved for the team 20 to 30 days a year for other marketing reasons. Besides this he would have half a million in car space and race suit space for personal sponsors, and the liberty of using the team colours in his personal merchandise (a thing Mclaren and Ferrari usually don't allow).

and the most important....no first driver.

[bernard]

Just look at Montoya!!
No dissing but he is a bit on the chubby side. I wonder why F. Williams hasn't made him exercise harder to lose the extra weight he brings to the car. A bit similar situation with Barrichello. You would think a driver like Alonso has an advantage as he is so short and thin, probably weights something like 55 kg. I think montoya has even gained some weight lately. No self control, just can't keep himself away from the buffet before the race.

[sharkie17]

Sharkie, I'll give you a question: If you ran an F1 team, would you pay ralf 20 million $? Me neither. But still he got it from toyota. Against that backround 20 milion doesn't sound that much.
But I agree, 20-30 milion is a lot. That is not an official announcement, just a rumour, so I'm not sure whether it's true.
I think he would do it for something like 10 million, given that he gets a good car.

Personally, i dont know what the hell Toyota were thinking giving him 20 mil. but, lots of times, its all about the agents working thier magic...