After nine years in Formula One, Kimi Räikkönen will not appear on next season's grid, according to his manager. Having been encouraged to leave Ferrari in order to make way for Fernando Alonso, the Finn's only serious option was believed to be McLaren although negotiating has now seemingly come to an end.
"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing," driver Manager Steve Robertson told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010."
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With the Mercedes team - formerly Brawn - unwilling to pay any driver too high an amount of money and McLaren's limit unlikely to be as high as that of Ferrari, Räikkönen will in fact earn more by not racing next season, as Ferrari must pay off the remaining year of prematurely terminated contract.
"Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship," Robertson continued. "F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."
With 2007 Champion Räikkönen's discussions at McLaren coming to an end, it has now ostensibly paved the way for current title holder Jenson Button to team up with predecessor Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based team.
| Kimi Räikkönen news | |
|---|---|
| 29 Jan. | Räikkönen rejoins Arctic Rally |
| 29 Jan. | Räikkönen crashes in Arctic Rally |
| 21 Jan. | Räikkönen: F1 doors still open |
| 19 Jan. | Räikkönen to rally against brother |
| 05 Jan. | Räikkönen tips Vettel for title |
| 21 Dec. '09 | 'Something else was needed' - di Montezemolo on Alonso |
| 04 Dec. '09 | Confirmed: Räikkönen joins World Rally Championship |
| 28 Nov. '09 | Räikkönen close to Citroën WRC deal? |
| 19 Nov. '09 | Räikkönen: No talks with Brawn |
| 19 Nov. '09 | 'Unfinished business' for Räikkönen |
| 06 Nov. '09 | Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren |
| 03 Nov. '09 | Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn |
| More Kimi Räikkönen news, Photos | |
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Silverstone |
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