Lotus team principal Éric Boullier said that he was hopeful he would be in a
position to give Raikkonen all the reassurances he was seeking “within a
week”. The Finn, however, is understood to be ready to make a decision
sooner than that, with Ferrari pressing for an answer.
The situation is made more intriguing because Alonso has already said that he
would prefer to see Massa stay in the second Ferrari seat next year. The
Spaniard’s relationship with the team has been placed under immense scrutiny
in recent months, with Di Montezemolo choosing to issue a public
admonishment after the Spaniard was critical of the car in Hungary.
It has been rumoured that the two-time world champion might even quit the
Maranello team should Raikkonen be signed. That would really send the sport
into meltdown.
One rumour on Monday had Alonso making a switch with Raikkonen and taking his
Santander backing to Lotus, while it has also been speculated that his
potential availability might be the reason McLaren are waiting so long to
take up their option on Jenson Button. It is not called the silly season for
nothing.
The chances of Alonso quitting Ferrari appear negligible, however. He said at
the weekend that he would see out the remaining three and a half years of
his contract, while in what appeared to be a stage-managed Twitter QA
on Monday night, Alonso reiterated his intention to stay, regardless of who
he is teamed with.
“Whatever decision the team will take will be good for me,” he said, “and we
will keep working to give Ferrari the best results possibles [sic].”
Silly season rumours
1. Raikkonen to Ferrari
The Finn is favourite to take Felipe Massa’s seat , with Massa an outside bet
to stay.
Likelihood ****
2. Raikkonen stays at Lotus
Much depends on what assurances Lotus can give Raikkonen in the next 48 hours.
Likelihood ****
3. Alonso to Lotus/McLAREN
Doomsday scenario. Alonso quits Ferrari if Kimi signs. But to Lotus? McLaren?
Sabbatical?
Likelihood *