Raikkonen Red Bull Bound?

There is no denying Kimi Raikkonen’s talent. He is one of the fastest drivers on the current Formula One grid. There is also no denying Red Bull’s dominance over the championship. Put those two together – along with triple world champion Vettel – and you should get a dream team (or as close to it as possible).

(c) Lotus F1 Team

Raikkonen to Red Bull has been a rumour that has circulated for some time but has more recently started to pick up pace. Whilst the Finn has been quiet on the suggestion – no surprise there, this is Kimi we are talking about – he is thought to be the leading contender for the, what looks to be, vacant second seat at the Milton Keynes based squad in 2014.

That all, of course, boils down to Mark Webber’s decision. The Aussie has extended his contract on a yearly basis in recent times but only by a further 12 months – looking to leave when he feels ready? After Malaysia’s highly controversial team-order debacle between himself and team-mate Vettel, if he is going to leave the team it should be sooner rather than later.

(c) Lotus F1 Team

Raikkonen has previous ties with Red Bull that could prove influential. When he left Formula One at the end of 2009 for the gravel and dirt of the World Rally Championship, he developed a relationship with the brand whilst driving for the Citroen Junior Team – who Red Bull sponsored. We have already glimpsed Raikkonen in Red Bull attire; I reckon we could see him in it again.

He is also the only leading contender that is out-of-contract for 2014. It is a feat that he touched upon when discussing next season in Monaco with reporters, saying: “There are not many top drivers that have no contract [for 2014]. I am probably the only one of those and there are some contracts that will end next year. I don’t have a contract, so it is normal [speculation] happens.”

The Finn also admitted that he is in no hurry to make his decision, adding “I am not in a hurry. If I was desperate for a contract, I would have already tried to sign it last year. I would rather do my work well and if I do well I am sure I will get the contract I want.”

What “the contract I want” actually is currently stands as being both unclear but narrowed down. Back in late May he was asked by reported how many contracts he thought he had in discussion. His response? “It depends. I would say that I have two, but in F1 you can never know exactly.”

I think it is clear which two teams are looking to sign him. Lotus would be mad to let go of the man that has kept them at the front of the drivers’ championship for the last one and a half seasons. Raikkonen helped them move from a mid-field squad back to their winning ways and the ‘Iceman’ seems comfortable with the Enstone based squad. Despite it being unclear as to how big of an impact losing James Allison as Technical Director will have on the team, that could be one of the deciding factors in Raikkonen making the switch.

There are two contracts on the table. One is for a race winning team that has just lost their star technical director. The other currently lead the constructors championship and have done for the last four seasons on route to three constructors crowns and a triple world champion alongside. Which one would you choose? With design genius Adrian Newey tackling 2014 regulations and Christian Horner steering the ship there is no reason why Raikkonen should decline an offer from Red Bull.

I also think he will fit in well at Red Bull. Aside from gunning for the title, Kimi’s relaxed and laid pack attitude and image would sit well with their marketing and PR team and could easily work; Lotus have done it so there is no reason why RBR couldn’t take it to their advantage too. They also have more scope which could help to boost his profile and you don’t see their drivers taking part in as many endorsement or sponsor events in comparison to the likes of McLaren.

(c) Getty Images

If he wants to be challenging for titles, Red Bull is the best bet. The team have already sounded out Kimi as a driver that they want in their team and it is rare to have a chance like this; they don’t come around very often. However 2014 regulations are tough and no one knows what will happen. For all we know Red Bull could get it wrong (it seems unlikely but Formula One always springs a surprise). It will be testing to see if the Austrian team can dominate the sport in more than one era. They have with the current spec but will the regulations shape up the order? It’s far too unknown and with an inside look into what Lotus are doing with their car as teams divert focus, the black and gold car may be a safer bet.

2014 is unclear and there are other options that Red Bull could take. Webber could easily stay with the team next season; he would be silly not to consider it. It would take something big for him to depart with the fastest Formula One team on the grid from his own decision alone. However Malaysia-gate was something big and it had a significant impact on the team dynamic. Despite the whole fiasco cooling off as time has gone on, there is no denying that Webber will never forgive Vettel for what he did. You have to think, how long will he put up with being the number two driver?

But would Kimi also take to being a number two driver? Previous evidence from being put alongside fast team mates like David Coulthard and Felipe Massa shows that he isn’t really too political on the subject. He is focused on driving the best he can and getting the most out of the car, he never seemed bothered by it all. That’s why he should in theory work well with Vettel. They are also friends off track and are often spotting laughing (a rare sight) or chatting on the driver parade or in the paddock.

However not showing any strong feeling or emotion towards it makes it hard to imagine how he will take to pulling over to let Vettel take victory and extend his title lead in 2014 (should it happen). Also you could argue that he has never partnered someone like Vettel who is arguably hands down the fastest driver of the moment.  It’s another uncertainty.

(c) Getty Images - they won't be chumming up for long!

There are alternatives. Red Bull is always keen to bring one of their junior drivers to the team and Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are currently embroiled in a titanic scrap for the team’s attention. The former performed well in China to take seventh place whilst Vergne took sixth in the last round of the season in Canada after impressing on both Saturday and Sunday. Red Bull has all the evidence and data that they need. However both need to be more consistent – something Ricciardo pointed out recently – to prove that they have what it takes to join Vettel at the parent team.

As mentioned previously, Webber could stay but I wouldn’t discount a direct switch to Lotus should Raikkonen get the call to drive for Red Bull. It’s probably the Aussies only chance to join a front runner team and I could see him fitting in well and leading the team for the remainder of his season. It seems more laid back at Lotus and I think that would be the best alternative option for him. If not, he may be stuck with a mid-field team or may find himself without a drive altogether.

Whatever happens, the second Red Bull seat will be big news until the announcement is made. Then it will be even bigger news. Raikkonen looks to be the favourite and is my top choice for the seat too but Red Bull have a lot of talent to look through. On paper, the Finn has performed better in comparison to Webber over the last 18 months since returning to the sport but Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne may prove to be better long-term choices.

An unknown that leaves Red Bull with plenty of thinking to do.