Raikkonen a no-show in Abu Dhabi
Many in the Formula One paddock believe that the Finn was sending a message to the Lotus team.
Nov.1 (GMM) Amid reports Kimi Raikkonen's relationship with Lotus was broken irreparably in India, the Finn did not show up in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The team distributed its usual Thursday press release containing links to audio interviews with the title 'Loud and clear'.
Indeed, many wondered if Raikkonen's absence, although not totally unusual on a Thursday, was a message to the team that he more than didn't appreciate being sworn at on the radio last weekend.
Some correspondents in the Abu Dhabi paddock on Thursday believe Raikkonen even threatened to sit out this race altogether.
The Mirror newspaper said "sources" had confirmed that Raikkonen, who is moving to Ferrari next year, was "so insulted he briefly considered" staying home in Switzerland.
But a team spokesman late on Thursday said the Finn is "on his way" to Abu Dhabi and "expected to turn up" for Friday practice.
It must be noted, however, that Lotus reserve driver Davide Valsecchi, the 2012 GP2 champion, was at the Yas Marina circuit on Thursday.
2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, however, said Raikkonen was justified in being angry.
Asked by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 how he would have responded if his engineer shouted and swore at him on the radio, he admitted: "Probably the same as he (Raikkonen) did."
Romain Grosjean, meanwhile, admitted that his relationship with Raikkonen has gone downhill "recently".
"As a man, I would say basically I don't know him," said the Frenchman.
"He is with me as he is with you (reporters). As a driver, he's very good and he has been - until recently - a very good teammate."
Also in Abu Dhabi, Fernando Alonso denied once again that his relationship with Ferrari has deteriorated in 2013.
"Every weekend I repeat the same thing," said the Spaniard.
"It (the relationship) was perfect, it is perfect and it will be perfect," Alonso insisted.
Share Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Lewis Hamilton warned, Ferrari fined for Bahrain GP impeding
Lewis Hamilton hands Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur strongest show of support yet
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Turner Motorsport chases unprecedented North American sports car title trifecta
WRC Sardinia: Thierry Neuville snatches lead from Adrien Fourmaux as Hyundai remains on top
Winward faces Petit Le Mans challenge in bid for IMSA GTD three-peat
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments