Kimi Raikkonen stands to make more money in 2010 if he takes a sabbatical. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that if the Finn accepts McLaren's current offer, he will earn €15m in 2010, as opposed to €17m if he has a season on the sidelines.

According to his termination deal with Ferrari, the Italian team has promised to pay Raikkonen €17m if he does not race in F1 next year, and €10m if he finds suitable employment elsewhere.

Realising this, McLaren has reportedly offered Raikkonen just 5 million for the 2010 seat, concluding that €15m in total earnings is a very healthy amount for the 2007 world champion.

Presently, Raikkonen's management team of Steve and David Robertson is demanding that McLaren pay a full retainer, plus agree to a reduced amount of sponsorship days for their charge.

Nick Heidfeld has been touted as McLaren's 'plan B', and in an interview with spox.com, the German was asked about Martin Whitmarsh's recent statement that the German veteran is perhaps F1's most underrated driver.

"At the moment I'm not ruling out any team," he answered.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

I'll get lay on the floor, eat a burger, and yell at a camera David Hasselhoff drunk for seventeen million a year.

 

$5 mil offer because he has a $10 mil separation package?? I HATE employers that pull that sh*t. I know all manner of military retirees that employers tried to low ball because with their retirement check they'd be making xx amount in total. F that.

 

agreed, including the severance package from ferrari in your bid is ridiculous.

 

Those numbers are $ not €

Kimi is supposed to get from Ferrari for braking the contract 17M$/11,4M€ if not signing and 10M$/6,7M€ if signing for McLaren. Then ofcourse Kimi gets his normal years salary from Ferrari of 37,3M$/25M€ for next year also.... So that makes 54,3M$/36,4M€ for doing nothing next year....

eh... I'll agree to do nothing for a mere 5M$/3,5M€, where do I sign?

 

He's not worth more than 5M.

 

Do you have any reasoning behind your post?

Former world champion, excellent driver, and brilliant speaker.

Sarcasm on the last.

 

But he sure knows how to wear a cap!

 

All he needs is a tall tee.