Räikkönen to Ferrari all but confirmed, pairing with Alonso could 'tear Ferrari apart' - Marko -

The F1 world is only now waiting for the announcement.

"It's done," agreed Autosprint correspondent Alberto Antonini.

"Kimi Raikkonen has a Ferrari contract in his pocket."

It is explosive and significant news, because - at least on paper - Fernando Alonso alongside the Finn is arguably the best driver duo on the grid.

"If it works, the constructors' title will be harder for us," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Bild newspaper.

"Or they could tear each other apart. Wait and see," he added.

Indeed, Spaniard Alonso has made clear his strong desire to continue to be partnered by the Brazilian Felipe Massa.

"I have a great respect for Felipe," he is quoted by Brazil's Globo. "He is a great professional and works very hard on the race weekends but also in the simulator.

"If the team decides to keep him, I'll be happy," added Alonso.

So it's there where the problem may lie. Having already flirted with Red Bull, the latest rumours are linking Alonso with a shock switch to McLaren or even Lotus.

"To be honest, we have several plans," said Lotus team boss Eric Boullier, facing up to the prospect of probably losing Raikkonen.

"After Ferrari fills their vacancy, our seat will be the most coveted. So we can afford to see what happens."

The leading candidate to replace Raikkonen at Lotus is the German Nico Hulkenberg, who put his CV in the limelight with a top performance at Monza.

But the experienced Massa could be another option.

"Ferrari is a super team; it's difficult to find another like it," the Ferrari driver said. "So it's important to look at all the options."

via WORLDCARFANS

une p'tit bière ?

Citroen C-Elysee WTCC roars into Frankfurt

Will compete in the World Touring Car Championship

After months of teasing, Citroen has officially unveiled the C-Elysée WTCC race car at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Set to compete in the 2014 World Touring Car Championship, the C-Elysée WTCC has an aggressive appearance thanks to a carbon fiber front spoiler, extended wheel arches and a prominent rear wing. We can also see a carbon fiber grille, aerodynamic side skirts and a massive rear diffuser.

Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 380 bhp (283 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission that sends power to the front wheels via a mechanical self-locking differential.

The car will be driven by Sébastien Loeb and Yvan Muller who has previously said the C-Elysée WTCC is "lighter, more powerful and more efficient" than anything he has driven in recent seasons.

Source: Citroen

via WORLDCARFANS

More Alsace action for Romain Dumas / Romain Dumas remet ça

Like last year, the winner of the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours has posted an entry for next month’s Rallye de France-Alsace (October 3-6), round 11 of the World Rally Championship. He will drive a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, with Denis Giraudet as co-driver.

Comme l’an passé, le vainqueur des 24 Heures du Mans 2010 sera au départ du Rallye de France-Alsace (3-6 octobre), 11e manche du Championnat du monde des Rallyes. Il pilotera une Ford Fiesta RS WRC et sera copiloté par Denis Giraudet.

After coming 16^th overall and setting some decent stage times in a Mini John Cooper Works WRC in 2012, the French all-rounder has switched to an M Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta RS WRC/Michelin for this year’s attempt.

The current season is one of transition for the works Porsche star who contested the opening rounds of this year’s FIA World Endurance Championship and won the GT class at Le Mans before focusing 100 percent on the development of the German make’s LMP1 prototype in preparation for 2014.

As a result, he has had less time to spend on other forms of motorsport, although he was able to take part in the USA’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb (retired, mechanical problem) and the occasional national-level rally, like the Rallye de Grasse Fleur et Parfum in a Porsche 997 which he won with Giraudet calling out the pace notes.

The experienced Frenchman will be at his side again for the Rallye de France. The event will mark the return of the WRC’s most experienced co-driver (175 starts) after he sustained a nasty back injury on Rally Finland in 2012. After two delicate operations and a long period of re-education, he has been given the green light to resume competing.

Après une 16^e place et quelques chronos encourageants l’an passé sur une Mini John Cooper Works WRC, l’éclectique pilote français remet le couvert, sur une Ford Fiesta RS WRC/Michelin préparée par M-Sport cette fois-ci.

2013 est une année de transition pour le pilote officiel Porsche, qui a disputé les premières épreuves du Championnat du monde d’Endurance FIA (victoire GT au Mans) avant de se concentrer à 100% sur le développement du prototype LMP1 qu’il pilotera la saison prochaine.

Romain n’a eu que peu de temps pour ses « activités annexes » : il a tout de même participé à la course-de-côte de Pikes Peak (abandon, mécanique) et à quelques rallyes nationaux, comme le Rallye de Grasse fleur et Parfum sur Porsche 997 où le tandem avec Denis Giraudet s’est formé par une victoire.

Denis sera de nouveau à ses côtés au Rallye de France. Ce sera le grand retour en WRC du plus expérimenté des copilotes (175 départs) après sa blessure au dos contractée au Rallye de Finlande 2012. Après deux opérations délicates et de longs mois de rééducation, Denis a eu le feu vert pour se rassoir dans un baquet de rallye.