“The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all. Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year,” manager Steve Robertson told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.
“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,” added Raikkonen's manager.
Raikkonen and his manager were spotted at the Woking headquarters on Friday, as they were given a tour of the factory prior to their meeting with McLaren's team principal Martin Whitmarsh. It appears the two parties failed to reach an agreement for a racing deal in 2010, as the team invited Jenson Button and his manager Richard Goddard at Woking the very next day.
While Button seems to have agreed to the 6 million sterling pounds per year offer made by McLaren, Raikkonen was looking for a far more lucrative deal. Following his willingness to leave Ferrari at the end of the season with one year remaining of contract, he was rewarded by the Scuderia with a guaranteed 17 million euros bonus (in case he doesn't find a team for 2010).
In case he'll return to F1 in 2011, Raikkonen made it very clear he'll only do so in a title winning car. However, Silver Arrows (Merc's new team), McLaren and Ferrari are all booked for 2011, the only team with a potentially free spot for 2011 being Red Bull Racing (Mark Webber's deal expires at the end of next season).
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