2013 Formula1 Podcast: Kimi Raikkonen To Red Bull Racing In 2014

A three week gap between the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix and the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix meant that Formula1 fans world over missed the on-track action. However, Rishi and I stuck to our promise and here is our weekly Formula1 podcast.

Well, we discussed a few options for the name of this F1 podcast, however, we realized that Kimi Raikkonen is more famous than Mark Webber even after the multiple controversies that surrounded Webber, Vettel and Red Bull Racing last GP. And talking about the last GP, a BIG (and we mean BBIIGG) thank you to all for making ‘Multi21, Team Orders and PR Talk’ one of our most subscribed to podcasts across all our platforms.

Here’s what is in store for you in this podcast: (YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/2bzA7TzJBn0)

  • V6 = DJ Tiesto! (No, this isn’t some weird logic!)
  • Overdose on multi21, team orders and Webber; did you suffer from one too?
  • Mark Webber was wearing wool in the heat and humidity of Malaysia. Rishi explains!
Kimi Raikkonen (Courtesy: Lotus F1 Team)
  • We discuss Webber’s race options for the 2014 Formula1 Season. A few obvious and interesting ones.
  • And when Webber moves, who will replace him? Hear our options.
  • Will Ferrari lose one more driver from their Driver Academy to a rival team? We think so…

If you were Mark Webber, what would you do? Which team would you choose to go to? And of course, if you were Red Bull Racing, who would you choose to replace him with? Share your views with us.

And of course, next week, we will have our 2013 Chinese Grand Prix preview podcast. Till then, Keep Racing!

Our earlier podcast ‘If Schumacher Turns TV Commentator’ received some rave reviews. If you’ve not heard it already, go ahead and do so.

For those keen to read, here’s the latest on Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok:

  1. Narain Karthikeyan Switches From Formula1 To AutoGP In 2013
  2. Karun Chandhok To Race In the FIA GT World Series In 2013

And my favourite post on Newey and Brawn: ‘Will We See Adrian Newey vs Ross Brawn Finally?

The Inside Line Formula1 Podcast is produced by Rishi Kapoor and Kunal Shah. Follow us on Twitter and on our Soundcloud and YouTube channels.

Kunal Shah is an FIA-accredited Formula 1 journalist who has been reporting on Formula 1 for nearly two decades. He worked with the Force India Formula 1 Team for 6 seasons in Marketing, Sponsorship and Commercial roles. As a former single-seater racer, he was responsible for Force India's grassroots talent program, One from a Billion Hunt. Presently, he co-writes a regular Formula 1 column for Firstpost, speaks on Inside Line F1 Podcast & Pits to Podium and produces broadcast/OTT content for NENT Group (Viasport & Viaplay).

12 comments On 2013 Formula1 Podcast: Kimi Raikkonen To Red Bull Racing In 2014

  • If I were Mark Webber – since I’m pretty much used to playing second fiddle, I would prefer Ferrari and let my daddy be Alonso 😉
    And I would(this time) make sure I don’t mess with team mate Alonso but will utilize the turf to make life hell for Vettel, by chasing him like crazy and that with the HOPE that Ferrari doesn’t break the seal of my gearbox, HaHa.
    If I were Red Bull Racing – I want no body to disturb my Star Racer and putting up with Webber taught me good lessons for life, hence this time around, I would go with Vergne. And I will also come to terms with the fact that I cannot win both driver’s and constructor’s championship every year around!
    I think Kimi would be a misfit in Redbull, just my view. Kimi is an aberration and he is not consistent. And I don’t think RedBull need him either. If they are looking for somebody to be consistent other than Vettel then Bianchi should fit the bill.
    Also Red Bull racing(forgetting the Webber issue for now!), they are like a family more than a team , so it is that cordiality that makes the team Numero Uno. And I for one, don’t think Kimi can ever be affable with any team as a whole. And when you don’t fit the culture, it is very hard to score!
    This Kimi thing, reminds me of a famous statement by ‘Tony Hsieh’, who said, “I Fire Those Who Don’t Fit Our Company Culture”, because end of the day you cannot provide results if you don’t fit.

    • Hmm, interesting view on Webber using Alonso to get back at Vettel. Should be fun! However, it will be interesting to see where Webber’s talent (and antics) land him in 2014. And I expect Vergne, Ricciardo or Buemi to replace him. While they could settle for the second fiddle role, they will go all guns blazing to prove their might against the Mighty Vettel.
      As for Kimi, I would suggest you go into hiding for a few weeks after calling him inconsistent! I can only imagine Kimi fans gunning for you for saying that. In 2012, he finished 3rd in the Championship only due to consistent top 5 drives even though the car didn’t support him as much. Run!
      True on the culture and mis-fit, etc. but given Kimi’s talent, he is hard to ignore for all teams in the F1 paddock. And I think Red Bull did support him in his WRC drive a few years back, so getting him in the cockpit can happen too if they all wish. And on the family vs team, the investors (in this case Red Bull Energy Drinks) would prefer a team that wins than a family that loses, so that perspective can change with success or not. I mean, Ferrari split the family of Brawn-Todt-Schumacher in 2006!
      And I would also treat motor-racing different from a regular corporate job. Few drivers are replaceable, whereas in the corporate world, most roles are replaceable. (Sigh!)

  • I’m backpacking to Ladakh out of the fear that people are gunning for me on Kimi’s comment! HaHa!
    But, agree to “few drivers are irreplaceable” line. We, in tech world are used to “Nobody is Indispensable” cognizance. Hence compared that to racing, anyways you have a point!!

  • HI GUYS,,
    AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU,,
    BUT TRUE WITH PAVITHRA’S NOTE , THAT KIMI WILL EVER NEVER PLAY 2ND FIDDLE TO ANYONE IN ANY TEAM . HE IS KIMI RAIKKONEN, THAT’S ITTT.
    SO IF KIMI’S RUMOUR OF CHANGING HIS UNIFORM (FROM BLACK TO BLUE ) ARE STRONG.
    THEN THERE’S CERTAIN EVIDENCE THAT , HE WILL BE AGAIN TEAM LEADER @ RBR, WHICH FURTHER CONCLUDES THAT , WEBBER MAY BE THERE 2 STAY, AND VETTEL , MIGHT BE DOING A LEWIS HAMILTON BY REPLACING HIS BLUE UNIFORM BY RED.
    I HOPE MY THOUGHTS ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR.
    AND TALKNG ABOUT HOME SWEET HOME,
    *RAIKKONEN MADE HIS DEBUT IN F1 WITH
    RED BULL SAUBER PETRONAS IN 2001,
    *MADE DEBUT IN WRC WITH
    RED BULL CITROEN WRT
    AND WAS ALSO IN TALKS TO JOIN RED BULL OR TORO ROSSO AFTER THE SABBATICAL BACK IN 2010-11
    NOW IF I’M WEBBER,
    I WOULD PREFER STAYING WITH A WORLD CHAMPION TEAM, RATHER THAN MAKE A FRUSTRATING AND NOT A MOTIVATING MOVE TO ANY OTHER TOP TEAM OR A MID FIELDER.
    IF NOT , THEN START OWN’S PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM , AND BE A STAR ENTRANT AT TASMANIA CHALLENGE AND GET HURT AS MANY TIMES,
    ( GETTING A FEW LESSONS FROM STONER ON ” HOW TO EFFECTIVE QUIT FROM TOP OF ONE’S GAME”
    IF M INFINITI RBR
    REPLACEMENT FOR WEBBER NEEDS TO BE AN RBR GRADUATE,
    AS THE CARS ARE DRIVEN BY ADRIAN NEWEY, THOUGH THEY ARE STEERED BY DRIVERS.
    SO VERGNE, RICCIARDO, BUEMI, OR JANI
    OR A SURPISE ELEMENT IN THE FORM OF FELIX DA COSTA.
    AND
    DO LET US KNOW, PAVITHRA
    WHEN ARE U RETURNING FROM THE ABODE OF HIMALAYAS.

  • Kunal!!!, just so you know, there is a support for me in the form of Latesh!! So i’m cancelling my plans of backpacking to Ladakh! Phew!
    Also Latesh, I must say, I was rolling down laughing on your line(on Webber) – “START OWN’S PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM , AND BE A STAR ENTRANT”
    But the problem is, even in cycling he is not the king, breaks his leg or somebody else’s leg more or less all the time. So that is a total risk again. Just like, how I’m not supposed to drive a car(Nope, cops never told me, it is a self realization), that would put the entire Bangalore population at risk, HaHa!!
    So this self realization is what is missing in our Webber guy.
    To answer the Himalayas question, I have cancelled it, now that there is a support, and yes thanks to you! 🙂
    Also Kunal:
    The line “Managing Kimi can create good leaders I am sure” – is spot on!! But you know what, to advice him or to make him understand, people should know what he speaks in the first place, I for one, never understand a thing of what he says. So I feel pity for Horner, yeah the future boss, his life would be hell if this is to happen. And I don’t think Horner would be as cool as Boullier, to take “I know what I’m doing” punch line.(Hornerwas cool on Vettel becoz, he is WC you see :)) Will wait & see.
    I also have a strange feel that Vettel would move out of Red Bull in 2014, to prove the naysayers that he can be a King with or without Newey’s creation.

    • Pavithra,
      Yes you’ve support about Kimi not wanting to play second fiddle to Vettel and move to RBR, but I am surprised that Kimi fans missed your ‘not so consistent’ comment altogether! 😉
      As for managing Kimi, I would love to do that someday (if I get a chance!). His mystic ways are understood by a few and that’s the challenge I would love to play for. And if Horner can take it from Vettel, I feel he will have little option but to take it from Kimi too, he a WC too! And more importantly, it would be the other way that would be doubtful, Kimi taking one from Horner! 😉
      And in motorsport, one often gets stuck in a position where success is given more to the car (or designer) than the driver or rider. Schumacher and Rossi are two strong examples of this. Hopefully can make a move elsewhere and make them win too. He will be immortalized should he be able to.

  • Man, will you ever let the readers forget that one line from my comment!!! AArghhhhhh.

  • Pavithra, wonder what u watch on TV. I respect everyone’s opinion but only someone out of their senses can say Kimi is inconsistent. He has the record for consistent 27 finishes.
    May be u don’t like Kimi for whatever reason. There are very few ppl who don’t like Kimi and its all for 1 reason and that is coz he is not very communicative with fans.
    In terms of raw natural talent he is above everyone. Go and read some F1 history before watching and posting such comments. Cheers

    • Abhishek,
      Appreciate your comment, but do keep in mind that Pavithra (and fans like her) are new to F1 and maybe need to be guided on the history that follows the sport. People like you and I are best placed to offer this guidance and you seem like a BIG time Kimi lover who she’s managed to piss off…!

  • Oops – How did I miss this???
    Abhishek – Sorry, I started watching GP from 2011, and as we all know Kimi was no where to be seen in F1(in 2011)….so I was not aware of his skills or titles….I became a big time Vettel fan…well that explains, I guess.
    After reading about Kimi from Kunal’s blog and couple more – I started liking Kimi and do follow his driving now!!!
    Rookies like me make mistakes & learn….shrug it off, dude! 🙂
    Kunal ji – Please…It is high time you delete my comment…why are people even reading my comment, that too from a very old post???? 🙁

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Hello,
Happy to share my passion for Formula 1 with you. If you have specific queries about the sport, feel free to ping me.

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Regards,
Kunal