Kimi Raikkonen will be absent from the Formula One grid next season, his manager Steve Robertson announced to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat late on Tuesday.
The Finn, having agreed to make way for Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, had been in serious talks with McLaren, but the parties reportedly disagreed about his salary, sponsor duties and his freedom to race in rallies.
“The only option for F1 next season was McLaren or nothing,” Robertson said. “Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at F1 level, at least not next year.”
Raikkonen’s severance deal with Ferrari means that he stands making more money by taking a year off than he would if he had stayed in F1.
Turun Sanomat said the most likely option for a Raikkonen return in 2011 is with Red Bull Racing. Next year, he is likely to be active in rally cars and possibly the Le Mans 24 Hours, the newspaper added.
“He’s one of those guys who moves on quickly,” his manager told the BBC. “He just said ‘Now we concentrate on rallying’.”
Raikkonen made his WRC debut last summer when he took on his home event, Rally Finland, at the wheel of an Abarth Grande Punto S2000. His times on the fast-paced gravel tests were good and allowed him to hold 15th position overall; however he slid into a ditch and damaged his car on Day Two of the event, forcing him to retire.
The former Ferrari driver will now have a full year ahead of him to gain additional experience on World Rally Championship rounds.
“He is now looking to find a drive in the WRC, although nothing has yet been sorted out,” Robertson confirmed.
2007 champion Raikkonen believed that a deal with McLaren was his best opportunity in fighting for a second F1 title; the team opted for current World Champion Jenson Button instead.
“Kimi wanted a winning car, only McLaren could supply that and he only had them in his sights,” Robertson explained. “It wasn’t in his interests to race for what they were offering so he’s going to go rallying instead.”
“If they hadn’t gone for Jenson, they’d have gone for someone else,” he added.
Daniel BASTIEN and EARL ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International
via F1-Live
