Kimi's future - No racing in 2010?

It has been announced that Kimi won't drive next year :( :(

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Originally Posted by Somebody

Re Meester Jones

I believe the thinking is that:

• If Russ (and Merc confirmed to Autosport that they've locked Mr Brawn down as team principal for a fair number of years as part of the buyout) wasn't prepared to pay X to Bunsen as part of the budget-balancing, he's not likely to sanction paying twice that to Kimi.[/*:m:29o76rxd]
• Kimi's publically stated that it's McLaren or nothing for 2010[/*:m:29o76rxd]
• Kimi's redundancy payout drops by €7m if he drives for another team next year, so he and his 10%ers aren't likely to drop their demands; and[/*:m:29o76rxd]
• There's a suggestion that the guy Merc REALLY want is Vettel, and he's off-limits for now...[/*:m:29o76rxd]

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Ah, thank you.

True about Brawn, but I think Ross was all handcuffed cash-wise and I doubt that Mercedes is in the same boat. They could make and even bigger splash by signing him, especially since the team is a double-winner.

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Originally Posted by Jarno

It has been announced that Kimi won't drive next year :( :(

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RIP Kimi Raikkonen's career.

Very sad to see this happen.

He should have accepted Toyota's offer. With a big name like his they would have stayed in the game.


http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21984.html

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Originally Posted by Koz

RIP Kimi Raikkonen's career.

Very sad to see this happen.

He should have accepted Toyota's offer. With a big name like his they would have stayed in the game.


http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21984.html

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Raikkonen's career is far from over. I am disappointed that he will not race in 2010 and if Mercedes Benz were apparently not so stuck in the nationalistic groove, he would have been a fine replacement.

There never was a possibility that he would jooin a no hoper team like Toyota was - he is driver that seeks a winning car from the start. Nothing else.

If he joins Red Bull Racing for 2011 - it will be superb and he could become another driver that has taken a sabbatical and returned to win the championship.

Good riddance, then... :D

As fast and brilliant as he may often be, his personality is a nightmare for teams, sponsors, and fans, and if he asks exorbitantly huge amounts of money, why WOULD a team hire him in the current climate of cost-saving where not even the reigning world champion can get a substantial pay raise from his own team... (granted, we ARE talking about Jenson Button here, but still...) :p :

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Raikkonen's career is far from over. I am disappointed that he will not race in 2010.

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The reason is – I think – that Kimi didn't like to pay 2 million only to get a drive and that would be the result if he had accepted the McLaren effort. Ferrari/ (Santander) pays him that much that he still has the biggest salary of all F1 drivers (without to drive a meter). Rally next...

Will see if he is back 2011 – however now we have a F1 circus without Kimi … and I will keep my fingers to Vettel next year.. I like Massa but … never more Ferrari.. first Schumi with all his tricks and now a bank which pay and decide who will be Ferrari driver.. They paid out one of the biggest concurrent they had.. (Rumours are saying - 17 million euro only to Kimi).

Alonso has a good seat - Schumi will not be there next year to help Massa and it will make it a bit more difficult for him next year.. and easier to Alonso..

:wave:

Adios Kimi!

See you at Red Bull Racing in 2011.

I wish Kimi all the best in his non-F1 career. I'd be very happy if he becomes successful in the WRC.

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Originally Posted by maximilian

Good riddance, then... :D

As fast and brilliant as he may often be, his personality is a nightmare for teams, sponsors, and fans, and if he asks exorbitantly huge amounts of money, why WOULD a team hire him in the current climate of cost-saving where not even the reigning world champion can get a substantial pay raise from his own team... (granted, we ARE talking about Jenson Button here, but still...) :p :

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You do know that he is actually one of the most popular current F1 drivers? Outside his native country as well. It's a sad day for F1 that a driver like Kimi is not there in 2010. Yes the guy is different, shy, introvert (even for a Finn) but the reason I like him so much is that he does what he wants and cannot be controlled by any corporate types or anybody else. That's rare in F1 these days, most of the drivers are puppets of the teams.

I gotta say that I've followed F1 since 1982 when I was a small kid and for the first time I'm not sure whether I watch it next season. I will probably (when I get over this disappoinment). :(

To all the Finns, how serious is Kimi about the WRC?