SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

Raikkonen visits Williams

Williams has admitted that 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen recently visited its Grove factory, leading to speculation that the Finn could be seeking to revive an F1 career that ended in 2009.

Williams has admitted that 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen recently visited its Grove factory, leading to speculation that the Finn could be seeking to revive an F1 career that ended in 2009.

Raikkonen, while at McLaren and Ferrari from 2002 through '09, was always heavily remunerated and it remains to be seen where his head is after two years away from F1.

If money is still a key consideration, Raikkonen is not going to get the sot of retainer he was used to from Williams. If, however, it is racing that is more important to him, it is just possible that the team could pull off something of a coup.

Some believe that Kimi was not the same driver at Ferrari as he was at McLaren, but after fulfilling his ambition to drive in the World Rally Championship and having sampled racing Stateside, it could just be that Kimi fancies another shot in the top echelon.

Pastor Maldonado's Venezuelan backing makes him a certainty for one 2012 Williams seat, but what if Raikkonen was prepared to drive for the same retainer as Rubens Barrichello? Rubens will be 40 next May and it is just feasible that the team would consider taking a punt on Kimi.