Toyota eyeing up Kimi for 2007?

By Nick Sparkes
January 11 2006

It’s been rumoured that ‘most wanted’ Kimi Raikkonen is being eyed by Panasonic Toyota Racing for 2007. The flying Finn’s contract is up for renewal at the end of next season, with many of teams placing his name high up on their shopping list.

Ferrari are the favourites, as earlier in the year Autosport stated that Kimi had signed a contract to drive for the Italian team from 2007 onwards, possibly to partner or replace Michael Schumacher. But since then Ferrari have been hit with financial difficulties, having lost Vodafone to McLaren and Fiat (Ferrari’s owners) being plunged into debt. Therefore the market is open, with McLaren, Renault and Toyota all eager to get the Finn’s signature.

Toyota are keen to start winning, and that includes both championships. In a recent poll commissioned by Totally Toyota F1, only 28% felt that we had the right driver line up, with a further 37% feeling that was because of Jarno, whilst only 12% for Ralf. Therefore if one of our two drivers is forced to make space for the Finn, the signs are it should be Ralf who is shown the door. But, earlier in the year, Ralf was reported to have signed an extended 5-year deal, although this was never confirmed by Toyota. It’s also true that Toyota haven’t been pleased with Ralf’s performance, although the German finished ahead of his Italian teammate in the championship, Ralf’s earlier season form was put into the shade by the flying Jarno Trulli.

Toyota are preparing a rumoured £275 million bid for the Finn, which would leave either Jarno Trulli or Ralf Schumacher in the dark. If Kimi were to move to Toyota, it would be stressed that the Japanese manufacture would want to stick with Jarno, but if Ralf has a contract, the tables could turn. Although, if you talk to Jenson Button about contracts, your hear that they don’t mean a lot unless you or the team are prepared to buy it. And we all know how much money Toyota are currently spending…

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