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Domenicali hints Ferrari seeking 'number 2' driver

Domenicali hints Ferrari seeking 'number 2' driver

  • Published on 01 Aug 2012 08:36
  • comments 0
  • By: Danny Sosef
Stefano Domenicali has warned that Ferrari is only on the market for a number two driver. With the 2013 option on Felipe Massa's contract running out last week, a large number of drivers have been linked to his seat for next season.

Reportedly the latest on the list is the team's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. "Kimi was a world champion with us and I have seen the gossip -- but nothing more than that," team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted by the Sun newspaper.

Quotes attributed to Domenicali by the German broadcaster Sky, however, appear to play down the likelihood that Fernando Alonso will be paired with an equal next year. "It has always been Ferrari's philosophy," the Italian explained, "to have a great champion and then a very good driver who is close to him."

In effect, he is referring to the paddock perception of Ferrari's 'number 1 and number 2' approach to its driver lineups. So does that mean drivers like Raikkonen, or McLaren's Jenson Button - both world champions - are actually unlikely teammates for Alonso in 2013?

"I think these drivers have contracts with other teams," Domenicali answered. "And we are not in a rush." Number 2 or not, however, money could be a factor.

Brazilian correspondent Livio Oricchio thinks Lotus' Raikkonen could double his estimated EUR 5 million in 2012 retainer by taking Massa's Ferrari seat.

And according to Raymond Blancafort, writing in El Mundo Deportivo, the transaction would also work out for Ferrari, because a Raikkonen-like haul of points for Massa would see the Italian team in front in the lucrative constructors' championships.

With Ferrari currently ranked just fourth due to Massa's meagre tally of 25 points, the situation stands to cost Ferrari many tens of millions when the sport's 2012 income is divvied up.

"The Brazilian at the moment is very expensive to Ferrari," Blancafort said. Domenicali is keen to play down the speculation for now. "We are aligned with Felipe and we want to protect him. It is important for this championship," he said. (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Jenson Button Felipe Massa Ferrari McLaren Lotus F1

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Date
Grand Prix
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
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Albert Park
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Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
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29 - Dec 1
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Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
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Yas Marina Circuit
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
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Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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23 - Aug 25
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30 - Sep 1
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13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
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United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
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ES Fernando Alonso 14
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  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
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