Villeneuve on Raikkonen

[markfarrell9572]

Kimi Raikkonen did not deserve the title he won in 2007 and he only secured it because he was lucky, according to former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93714

He does like expressing his opinion doesn't he?  No matter how wrong it is or no matter how irrelevant.

Jacques seems to forget he made hard work of winning his title in what was the better car.

Its about time Jacques and a certain Mr. Irvine shut up.  If they were as good at driving as they are at mouthing off....

[Canada Darrell™]

Jacques....image....tarnishing....please....just....STFU already!

[PG_Gabriel]

......

better to be lucky than good

[cosworth151]

It looks like JV has never heard about the pot and the kettle......

[Jericoke]

......

better to be lucky than good

Indeed... most F1 champions either have a ridiculously good car, or a stroke of luck.

(To be sure, many of the champions in top cars have earned their way into the top car.  Villeneuve included.)

Vettel was as lucky, or luckier than Kimi to win his championship.  Same with Hamilton.  All worthy champions, and clear examples that the sport offers plenty of surprise and suspense.

[John S]

I reckon Jacques is only really explaining just why Ferrari sat Kimi on the sidelines for Nando, I must say I'm in agreement. Felipe was up there with Kimi in 07, outclassed him in 08 and was doing the same until his accident in 09.  

Nando is a team leader in the schumi mould and is a top class driver as well. Kimi on the other hand can drive well if and when everything is right for him, but he never seems to inspire the team to work flat out for him and give 105%.

You can get one WDC with luck, more than one requires that extra ingredient - not sure the Iceman has it.    

[littledave]

Don't forget how many time kimi was fast as f**k all weekend and then the McLaren let him down! He was unlucky there and managed it in a Ferrari! He could have 2-3 championships under his belt!

He also was his own down fall! Remember when his suspension collapsed from a flat spot 2/3 laps from the end? Team decision to keep him out? I think not!

[lkjohnson1950]

JV is just bitter because he could not turn the BAR into a winner. He was "Unlucky" to choose the wrong team.

Lonny

[Dare]

Kimi made it look too easy and noone can know what was
in his heart except Kimi.

If Mclaren had made him a #1 driver like Alonso at Renault and MS
at Ferrari I dare say he'd have 2 more driving titles

[John S]

If Mclaren had made him a #1 driver like Alonso at Renault and MS
at Ferrari I dare say he'd have 2 more driving titles

Can't see it myself as Kimi was always treated as the top gun at Woking. Over his time at Macca Kimi was paired with DC; no one's idea of a #1, and then Montoya; who singularly failed to impress in the car.

In fact it was Lewis and Nando's crazy squabbling that let Kimi get his one title, so one could argue that the no stated #1 driver at Macca actually worked in Kimi's favour. 

[markfarrell9572]

It might not have been said, but I think Kimi was de facto number 1 during his time at McLaren. 

[Scott]

To me it's always clear that the guy getting the biggest cheque is without question the #1 driver, but at Mclaren I'm not so sure he gets any better treatment other than to get to sit up front in the van on the way to the track.

[Dare]

John,I think DC or Juan Pablo were allowed to win
if they had the chance.

DC was past his prime and JPM was too careless

[Willy]

[ftp][Don't forget how many time kimi was fast as f**k all weekend and then the McLaren let him down! He was unlucky there and managed it in a Ferrari! He could have 2-3 championships under his belt!

He also was his own down fall! Remember when his suspension collapsed from a flat spot 2/3 laps from the end? Team decision to keep him out? I think not!/ftp]

Kimi had a natural talent and would have won the title at Mclaren if the car was not such a piece of sh$t. It let him down more then a few times.

The Ferrari did not suit his driving style and he still won.

I do love Jacques but he needs to put up or shut up.

Kimi left F1 as he got bored.....simple as that.

[Alianora La Canta]

Kimi won a title and that appeared to be all he wanted from F1. The other things he wanted (to do as he liked, not worry about the consequences and avoid the press) were never going to be possible in F1, so of course he's gone to a series where he will be happier.

If Kimi had been allowed to ignore certain requirements to getting a car to go fast and (indirectly) convincing sponsors to pay for it, then he'd probably still be in F1. However, F1 doesn't have room for people it sees as "freeloaders" and Kimi doesn't have time for "unnecessary things". Luck didn't come into either the rise or fall of Kimi Raikkonen's F1 career.