Raikkonen to take sabbatical in 2010
Raikkonen announced last month that it would be McLaren or nothing
Wednesday, 18, Nov 2009 10:40
By Adam Leveridge
Kimi Raikkonen will be taking a sabbatical from formula one in 2010 after talks with McLaren collapsed.
After being released from his contract with Ferrari a year early to make way for Fernando Alonso, Raikkonen revealed last month that his only option for 2010 would be a drive with McLaren - a team who can guarantee a competitive car.
However, the Finn's manager Steve Robertson has now announced that talks with McLaren have ceased, amid speculation that Jenson Button has agreed terms with the Woking-based team.
"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.
"Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
"A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship.
"F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer - doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of."
It is believed that talks between the two parties crumbled because of a number of stumbling blocks, including a disagreement over salary and a difference of opinion regarding how many sponsorship appearances Raikkonen should make.