Might have something do with the fact that most of the F3 field run with their engines?

Following JB to McLaren anything can happen

I can certainly see how a one-year superstar deal might look for Brawn Mercedes but I just don't understand where the cash comes from. It's clear they wanted Button to stay, and Fry has said the money wasn't an issue. There's a lot we're not getting in this story.

Good for Kimi and good for Mercedes.

One year deal and if Kimi works well and he and the team like the partnership, continuing it will be much easier.

f1 Media voices around the world suggest Raikkonen in talks with Mercedes about dramatic comeback. Is it real or urban myth?

James Allen.

The shortest ever sabbatical?

Well it would be about 20 hours so that is probably quite high on the list.

Seems that way... Just enough time for an ice-cream and a phone call to norbie!

lol oh man funny if true, but no

It will hurt even more if this isnt true.

You mean following "Montoya to Nascar!" anything can happen

Times online – a very trustworthy source – reports that:

"In the wake of Button’s departure, Mercedes GP are also understood to be in discussions with Kimi Raikkonen’s management."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/for...icle6922340.ece

Joe's on the Kimi-Mercedes-God-Knows-What-He's-Doing case: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/...-mercedes-deal/

Same journo who says he's going to Mercedes also said he was off to join Citroen in the WRC

Mercedes have all the power in this negotiation. Offer Kimi a drive for one season for $1. He is earning plenty from Ferrari already. If he wants to stay in F1 he will accept it.

But isn't there a clause in the severance contract that should Kimi find a drive the pay off will be less?

Except if I understood his Ferrari fee correctly, it gets cut down significantly if he drives in F1 during 2010.

what is strange is that Lito Cavalcanti, the guy who reported this, is pretty good... I really dont understand and am very skeptical, but I hope its is true.
if that's true, then next year's championship just got a LOT better... also, Rosberg

Well sometimes thought provoke real events. Maybe Robertsons with Brawn read it and.. well.. find a solution.

He already announced that he's taking a sabbatical. Which means he doesn't want to stay in F1.

I believe its 50% if he drives, so any team willing to have kimi needs to pay him at least us$22.5 million per season in order to cover for Ferrari.
I first thought Santander would pay for him to drive @ McLaren, 'cause even after the Ferrari deal, they still sponsor McLaren... right?

Jenson has been underated by many before, but not by me. I believe he's one of the best of the grid and his smooth style might make a bigger difference this year, due to the new rules. Im confident it'll be a WAR!

That's nice dear. But I think you've got the wrong thread?

Maybe he's taking a sabbatical from Robertson's advices

Sounds too good to be true (Kimi to Merc), but odder things have happened. It could be that Merc was caught holding their willies, when Button signed for Macca, and on the other hand, mayb Kimi could not reach a deal with Citroen or whomever? In that case he would be without drive in either series, and the Merc seat would begin to look very good, whatever the salary?

Not trying to get my hopes up, though. It will be bitter to hear this news is false...

Joe Saward says its the same guy that said that Kimi was going to Citroen in the WRC yesterday.

Take it with a pinch of salt.

Ok maybe I'm wrong. This is from James Allen

James Allen Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 12:49 am

"Heidfeld, but I’m hearing voices tonight about Robertsons maybe talking to Brawn. If true, Brawn are clearly shell shocked by JB’s decision as they weren’t really considering KR before"

when asked about 2010 at Brawn

www.jamesallenf1.com

If it happens, Kimi is either going to have to lower his expectations or Merc are going to have to spend more then they was willing to. That won't go down to well.

I'm buying myself a Magnum and Coke tomorrow. I really hope that this is true.

Even IF Kimi were set on a year of, he would likely not have committed to anything for next year, and a possibly championship winning car at Merc might be tempting. No one probably thought that the seat would be available anyway, therefore the sabbatical announcement? Would he even be that expensive? 10 million euros or so for the only available proven championship contender might not be to bad of a deal if Mercedes is serious about winning, which they certainly should be.

I'm not saying that this is 100% sure, but it sure makes sense to me.

I do not think Citroen has anything to do with the situation. I think this is happening because Button signed with McLaren to Brawn/Mercedes' surprise which has now left them without a proven winner and a star driver. Pairing Rosberg with Heidfeld would be way too underwhelming lineup for a new Mercedes works team in comparison to their competition. Mercedes needs Raikkonen and I'm quite certain that they do not hesitate to meet Kimi's demands.

hmm I never saw his blog yet but he sounds like a cynical prat

Who is usually bang on the money though.

you thought wrong, dear. It was a reply to someone who said Jenson'd be "eaten by the Hamster" or something like that. cant find the post now, probably been removed/edited.
thanks for the great advice tho

Like I posted above Mercedes needs Kimi now and I doubt they hesitate to meet his demands to get him sign the dotted line.

I have gotten the impression this year that Globo has reported lots of accurate stuff quite early, or?

It's all speculation of course but it could also mean that Kimi(&Robertson) simply want to take revenge on McLaren by showing who's The Real Deal after all - and for less money than offered to them by Mac.

For Kimi to take revenge, McLaren would have to have done something wrong to him, they didn't, they just couldn't meet his demands. The ones who require his revenge are Ferrari who sacked him and being bad mouthing him.

I honestly don't think that Kimis salary demands are that high compared to for example his Ferrari contract, is it such a big deal for Merc to pay him? I don't think so.

Pretty much, been bang on with calls regarding Barrichello, Rosberg and Alonso.

Um.. why do you think that Kimi is suddenly gonna drive for free now? I do not think Kimi's management are going to lower his demands now. Mercedes now needs Kimi more than Kimi needs Mercedes so I'm sure they're willing to pay suitably big bucks for his services.

I am not really seeing the bayback angle. I simply believe that after Macca turning their back on Kimster, the WRC option suddenly doesn't look too good, especially if they haven't got anything specific settled there contractually or money-wise. There's no profit in revenge, if this deal actually comes through, it simply about preserving Kimi's value in the F1. Stepping out of it would collapse it.

His Ferrari contract was done 3 years ago when everyone was flush with cash. They are not at the moment, with Merc cutting back, spending more then they wanted buyig Brawn, another 15-20m on a single driver won't go down to well when their is already rumblings going on about Mercs F1 involvement.

So that journalist very simply is making fun of the situation. And the rumor of Citroen-WRC is ridiculous. The timing and the circumstances doesn't fit at all.

I bet Fernando's on a fair wedge

a few, yes, but generally they're full of ****... although Lito Cavalcanti is one of the few somewhat trustful sources they have.

Yes, the times have changed, but isn't his demands now more like 10 millions (euros that is)?

Yes and no but most significantly the Times Online is reporting about the negotiations as well.

Globo and Grandepremio journalists are trustworthy i'd say.

James Allen is aware of the negotiations. The fact that he says Brawn were shell shocked makes me wonder if it was a little unexpected. If you combine that with the interview Nick Fry gave, then it tallies up.

I'll only believe it when the German respected Motorsport media picks up on it.

They have usually being ahead of everyone else with Merc storys.

Yes I know and even so he would still be earning a few million, though not as much if not driving. Does he want to race and compete anymore?