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From GMM (Updated, see below)
Kimi Raikkonen has played down the prospect of sitting out races, after revealing he only chose to leave Lotus because he was not being paid.
Undoubtedly, the fact the Enstone based team has not paid the Finn is a breach of contract, but the 2007 world champion said on Thursday that he would still prefer to turn up and race than sit at home.
As for the prospect of sitting out races closer to the end of the season ahead of his switch to Ferrari for 2014, Raikkonen told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3: "Of course, anything is possible.
"But until now I am going to all of the races. I do not have any interest in not driving -- that's why I race, because I like it. I also don't want anything bad for the team -- if I didn't come here to drive, it would do nothing to improve things," he said.
"I hope and believe that the salary payments will be handled at some point."
A hot contender to replace Raikkonen at Lotus next year is Nico Hulkenberg, who has also had his share of salary problems at Sauber in 2013.
The German, however, said the prospect of not being paid by Lotus if he moves to Enstone next year is not worrying him.
"I can't speak for Kimi," Nico Hulkenberg is quoted by Totalrace. "I don't know what his contract is, but his salary is probably very high."
UPDATE
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 on Friday, Lotus chief Eric Boullier has expressed his disappointment with Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn revealed that a payment dispute led to his decision to quit the team for Ferrari.
"It's obviously a bad message, but I don't know why he decided to publicly speak about his finance situation,” Boullier said.
"It's true that we postponed some payment for Kimi. To be honest with you last year was the same, but at the end of the year everything was done and completed.
"It's maybe the opportunity to just wake up and understand when all the teams are talking about cutting costs. [In] the car manufacturer era last decade everything was too much, but today Formula 1's business style and the revenue stream we can generate as a private team is quite difficult and you have to rely on your shareholders today," he explained.
"So it's not a good message, it's true, but this is the reality and I think people need to face the reality,” Boullier said to Sky Sports F1.
Kimi Raikkonen has played down the prospect of sitting out races, after revealing he only chose to leave Lotus because he was not being paid.
Undoubtedly, the fact the Enstone based team has not paid the Finn is a breach of contract, but the 2007 world champion said on Thursday that he would still prefer to turn up and race than sit at home.
As for the prospect of sitting out races closer to the end of the season ahead of his switch to Ferrari for 2014, Raikkonen told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3: "Of course, anything is possible.
"But until now I am going to all of the races. I do not have any interest in not driving -- that's why I race, because I like it. I also don't want anything bad for the team -- if I didn't come here to drive, it would do nothing to improve things," he said.
"I hope and believe that the salary payments will be handled at some point."
 |
| Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus E21. (Photo: WRi2) |
A hot contender to replace Raikkonen at Lotus next year is Nico Hulkenberg, who has also had his share of salary problems at Sauber in 2013.
The German, however, said the prospect of not being paid by Lotus if he moves to Enstone next year is not worrying him.
"I can't speak for Kimi," Nico Hulkenberg is quoted by Totalrace. "I don't know what his contract is, but his salary is probably very high."
UPDATE
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 on Friday, Lotus chief Eric Boullier has expressed his disappointment with Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn revealed that a payment dispute led to his decision to quit the team for Ferrari.
"It's obviously a bad message, but I don't know why he decided to publicly speak about his finance situation,” Boullier said.
"It's true that we postponed some payment for Kimi. To be honest with you last year was the same, but at the end of the year everything was done and completed.
"It's maybe the opportunity to just wake up and understand when all the teams are talking about cutting costs. [In] the car manufacturer era last decade everything was too much, but today Formula 1's business style and the revenue stream we can generate as a private team is quite difficult and you have to rely on your shareholders today," he explained.
"So it's not a good message, it's true, but this is the reality and I think people need to face the reality,” Boullier said to Sky Sports F1.