Raikkonen stands to make more money if he doesn't race for Mclaren

I agree because it makes sense to make more racing than sitting on the sideline. If I was him I would want a combo that would be greater than 17mil. He is also perfect for the team.

 

Why? He doesn't need the money. he is seeking what makes him happy. One of the things he hated at Ferrari were all the press /sponsor days, all the BS... (although I personally think anyone racing at this level, and pay grade should put up with damn near anything) His big thing with McClaren is all of the Press/sponsor days, he wants less. The guy just wants to race. So if he doesn't drive in F1... he will be plenty happy, make plenty of money, and perhaps race rally etc... he is just over the "hoopla"

Mc should step up, a kimi hami squadron would be a hell of a way to battle Ferrari in WCC

 

If he would go to McLaren with his mind set to "kill", he'd prove himself to be vastly more valuable than $5 million and I'm sure he'd get it in 2011. However, the world has been watching his performance over the last 2 years, and few are in a mood to pay him a giant salary, not to even mention the recession.

I predict he'll end up sitting it out unless McLaren budges. Maybe he'll get bored and find some passion to race again during his vacation? Sometimes people in the spotlight need a vacation, just like normal people.

 

Mike's right, and the other thing Kimi (hopefully) realizes is that taking a year off is a very risky career move if he really hopes to stay in F1 for a few more years. At the end of 2010, the talent pool will have gained one more year of seasoning while he sits idly by, and his value will be diminished relative to that. So if he can't command the money he wants now, it's very unlikely teams will come crawling to his door a year from now to pay that much, if they call at all.

 

+1. Do Mclaren really "need" Kimi? Not in the least. With LH and someone decent what does he offer? More points for the Constructors? Heidfeld could do that as well as anyone at a reduced cost and with more desire. LH barring any major injury etc can take the WDC with a good car. Kimi is not needed per se.

 

here is a crazy thought...

What if Kimi decided not to race for Mc... and since he is still on ferraris payroll they let him test F1 cars to be in shape for the next season and was allowed to rally as welletc... then replaced massa next season with a Kimi... a Kimi alonso ticket would be pretty cool... and I am the worlds biggest massa fan...

 

One hitch to your theory. F bought out his contract. That'd mean they'd have to hire him over again and it probably wouldn't happen. I'm pretty sure they're done with him.

 

your right absolutely right. It was early in the am and I try to be positive in the morning... sometimes im slightly delusional LOL

 

+1.

F1 performance is all about the team and McLaren are more likely than other teams to be competitive. If Kimi choose a dodgy team he could look completely useless very quickly.

Personally there are a lot of drivers in F1 currently that don't really deserve to be there, maybe Kimi's time has come to an end ... maybe?
Pete

 

Who could bring as many points as Kimi for the WCC. If we assume that Mclaren and Ferrari are the top 2 teams in 2010, then Mclaren can not beat Ferrari with only 1 top driver. Alonso and Massa will both be scoring points and as we saw in 2008 and 2009, an average driver like Kovalainen is not good enough. Kimi by himself almost held off Hamilton and Kovalainen. Kovalainen scored the same points as Massa! The best risk would be Kobayashi, no one else available has proven good enough at scoring points. Mclaren knows this, and would be smart to make the Kimi deal work.

 

It really isn't in the best interest of any F1 driver for Kimi to sign at well-below the rate for a top-tier driver. Kimi's dealings with Ferrari are closed business. There's no way in hell I'd allow someone to dictate a discounted rate based on a deal I closed with another entity.

 

Whitmarsh is wrong. After all these years, the rating on Heidfeld is precisely accurate. There is no mystery left in what you get with Heidfeld.

 

+1

Pete