Oliver White
Heikki Kovalainen – Renault’s test driver of the past two seasons – has been confirmed as the team mate to Giancarlo Fisichella for the 2007 Formula One season. Although it was widely anticipated, this news finally puts an end to any possibilities of Kimi Raikkonen moving from McLaren to the current reigning champions.
Ricardo Zonta and Nelson Piquet Jnr are also confirmed as the squads testers for next year. Flavio Briatore completes the team with the announcement that he will continue as the team principal through to the end of 2008.
This news now means that Raikkonen has only two realistic choices for 2007: Ferrari or McLaren. Ferrari are likely to annouce on Sunday that they have Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa under contract for next year in a bid to allow the German World Champion some more time to decide on his future.
I’m very torn by this whole decision. While I want The Schum to staying in F1, I also want him to go out on top so as long as he’s still running in the front, I want him in. HOWEVER, I’m tired of Kimi not winning and at this point getting him in a Ferrari is really the only way for him to win the WDC for next year and I’m a McLaren fan! It pains me to say it but I’ve lost patience with them. Get Kimi to a Ferrari and fast.