According to British newspaper the Mirror, Kimi Raikkonen has signed a so-called “outline agreement” to race for the McLaren team next year. The 29-year-old Finn had of course driven for McLaren between 2002 and 2006, scoring plenty of victories but failing to win the World Championship. Raikkonen then left for Ferrari in 2007, going on to win the World Championship in his very first year.
However, the Iceman, as Raikkonen has been nicknamed, is still contracted to Ferrari for one more season, with a contract value estimated to be nearly USD 49 million. Speculation or not, the report goes on to say that Raikkonen would only leave if he is paid the amount in full.
The persistent rumours of Renault’s ace driver, Fernando Alonso, moving to Ferrari only serve to support that speculation. Incidentally, Alonso was cleared of any wrongdoings in Renault’s crash-gate scandal, so he is free to race on. Needless to say, both Ferrari team head Stefano Domenicali and Raikkonen himself refuse to confirm the rumours.
Tags: F1 • F1 World Championship • Fernando Alonso • Ferrari • Formula One • Formula One World Championship • Kimi Raikkonen • McLaren • McLaren Cars • Motor Sport • Renault • Rumors • The Mirror
[...] Ferrari for the 2010 season. Speculation have been mounting for some time now, especially with Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen rumoured to join McLaren. Alonso has put pen to paper a three-year deal, replacing Raikkonen and partnering Felipe Massa. [...]