Former Ferrari racer Eddie Irvine believes the Italian team should sack Kimi Raikkonen or slash his pay if the Finn fails to perform in 2009.

"If you're the highest paid you have to be the best and he's not doing the job, simple as that," the Ulsterman, who was Michael Schumacher's team-mate between 1996 and 1999, told Virgin Media.

In his season as reigning champion Raikkonen had a lacklustre 2008, failing to win a race after April's Spanish Grand Prix and finishing 22 points behind team-mate Felipe Massa.

It is believed Massa, just one point shy of winning the 2008 drivers' championship, earns only one third of Raikkonen's Ferrari retainer. Both drivers have contracts to the end of 2010.


Irvine said of Raikkonen, 29: "If he doesn't beat Massa next year I'd be sacking him or reducing his wages massively."

"In sport if you perform you get paid and if you don't perform you're out."

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

 

well he is right, you either slash his pay or sack cold Raikkonen if he is not performing,as long as the replacement is not Alonso

 

It's going to be interesting to see how Raikkonen shows up for 2009. Part of me thinks he's going to show up guns blazing, but part of me thinks he might just show up in a "**** it" mood like in 2008. He seems like a simple enough guy, he already got his WDC, no one doubt's his ability, they only doubt his motivation, so he may just hang it up. He's already rich.

 

I think he'll come back better then ever and show the little 14yo Hamilton who's the king. My 2 cents......

 

I guess that's why we watch, right? If Kimi was a metronome, people would be like in the Schumi days and wonder why bother... Personally I loved watching Schumi win all the time, but I would be bored if I were a neutral observer. Kimi will probably have done some soul-searching over the break, but I think he's out of it. I'd like to see him come back strong (I like his no-BS interviews), but I doubt it's likely.

 

Ferrari sack? Is that what Ferrari fans call their balls?

 

Please show up Kimi, i want as many competitive drivers on the grid as possible

 

It's usually found resting on Hamilton's chin.

 

Pot calling kettle black ...