Raikkonen, Ricciardo trying to keep cool amid Ferrari contract rumors
Kimi Raikkonen, who qualified in 17th for Sunday’s Austrian GP but will start 14th due to other drivers receiving grid penalties, lost his ice-cool on Thursday amid reports Ferrari is asking him to take a pay-cut.
Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport claims the Maranello marque is interested in retaining the Finn for 2016, but only if his $13.6 million retainer is dropped by 25 percent (to around $10.2 million).
And the report said Ferrari is proposing to stimulate better performances from the 2007 world champion by, instead, improving the points-based bonus money on offer.
Amusingly, Raikkonen identified the author of the story whilst speaking to reporters in Austria on Thursday, demanding of him: "Have you seen my contract?
"No? So you just come up with bullsh*t?"
Raikkonen did, however, confirm that unless he stays at Ferrari next year, he would quit F1.
"If I'm not with Ferrari, I'm not with any team, it's as simple as that," he said. "I like the direction and the atmosphere of the team, but you (reporters) seem to worry about it more than I do."
Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo are already strongly linked with Raikkonen's potentially vacant 2016 seat.
And now, new Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenberg has also joined the fray.
"Sure, it gives me an extra boost," the German smiled to Bild newspaper, when asked if his Porsche-powered triumph helped his bid for a better seat.
"My contract with Force India expires at the end of this year, so I am open," Hulkenberg added.
Another driver that may be open is Daniel Ricciardo, although he admits he plans on staying at Red Bull for now.
Normally F1's most laughing, grinning and carefree character, the Australian was uncharacteristically grim in Canada amid rumors he might be in the frame to switch to Ferrari.
Ricciardo admits he let his emotions show.
"Looking at where I was (in Montreal) a year ago, having had the happiest day of my life, my first victory in Formula One, and then how things turned out," he said in an interview with Brazil's Globo. "The lack of results, our slow pace. It all came out."
So poor was Ricciardo's return to Montreal, in fact, that Red Bull has given him a brand new chassis for Austria.
But he may also have been internally reprimanded by Red Bull, as he broke ranks, went off-message and suggested that while Renault is obviously struggling, the team is also going backwards.
Indeed, team boss Christian Horner hinted to Austria's Laola1 that he was not impressed with the outburst.
"Our chassis is being developed a hell of a lot," he insisted. "Daniel feels only what he has underneath him every two weeks.
"I think it was just pure frustration from him," Horner added.
But Horner said he is happy with Red Bull's current drivers, including the young Russian Daniil Kvyat.
"I think that in terms of drivers we are in a very good situation," he said.
"Kvyat is getting better. Taking into account all the problems he has had, he has done a good job, especially in the last two races," Horner added.
And Ricciardo, too, has acknowledged that - at least for now - he is also a Red Bull driver. Amid the Ferrari rumors, Dr. Helmut Marko insisted the 25-year-old's contract is "bulletproof."
Asked if he is free to go on the market, Ricciardo confirmed: "No. Unless Red Bull don't want me, I should be here next year."
And that means Ricciardo may have to be patient for now, and learn to avoid Montreal-like outbursts.
"I have learned from what happened in Canada," he insists. "I analyzed what went on, my reaction, and I know I have to lower my expectations and unfortunately leave for now the dream of being on the podium or even the top five.
"I have come to Austria thinking only about getting the most from what I can get from the equipment I have," Ricciardo added.
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