Kimi to McLaren for 2010

[vasia]

Even Kimi has said he will be in F1 next year, if not with Ferrari then another team who wants him. Id be shocked if Toyota are their next year, however a move to Brawn or Red Bull is possible, assuming they can give him loads of alcohol and lets face it - we know the red bull motor home is the best for the paddock parties

Red Bull's drivers are locked in for next year. It would be shocking if Kimi ended up at Red Bull as major contract conflicts would occur. Brawn is possible, but as posted by ringo, can Brawn really afford Kimi with their limited budget? Kimi is also unlikely to take a big pay cut, seeing as he is in demand and one of the best drivers still in F1.

If Toyota manages to (finally) win a race, that could convince Kimi possibly of joining Toyota. Toyota was close to signing Alonso for the 2008 season.

[PlatinumZealot]

I think Toyota is the best bet for Kimi.

[Rakkasho]

No way Toyota wont even be here next year most likely. Kimi will probably go do something he really enjoys which is rally.

[raceman]

No way Toyota wont even be here next year most likely. Kimi will probably go do something he really enjoys which is rally.

dude, how can you say that?? Toyota have signed the Concorde Agreement. If they were to break it, they will pay huge money in terms of fine for breeching. An already struggling team won't afford this, I guess!

If anything otherwise, I will be delighted to know.....

[jason.parker.86]

I wonder how "binding" that concorde agreement is? I.e do they have to pay a fine for breaking away.

Because each team enters into F1 with a new company name - so if they wanna close up, surely bernie cant chase toyota for the money if toyota f1 is the company which signs the concorde agreement?

[ESPImperium]

Toyota will most probably be the best bet for Kimi alongside a good number 2 driver, i think Glock may just survive, but personally id put him with someone like Kovvy.

One things for shure, we will have a real mix up of drivers and teams next year.

[jason.parker.86]

Toyota has probally been among the top 2-3 teams in terms of spend in Formaul one - but no results. I imagine because they have never had a world class driver in one of their cars.

Always had sloppy 2nds. They need someone young and fast to develop the car, Kimi would be a good choice but id prefer Rosberg.

[raceman]

I wonder how "binding" that concorde agreement is? I.e do they have to pay a fine for breaking away.

Because each team enters into F1 with a new company name - so if they wanna close up, surely bernie cant chase toyota for the money if toyota f1 is the company which signs the concorde agreement?

Agreements can be altered, of course via mutual understanding!! Nobody, but them, knows the clauses, but they must have included some fine clause if someone breaks away.....

As far as I can imagine, Concorde Agreement gurantees that teams will stay put until the end of 2012 and it also gurantees them millions of dollars of revenue gets collected by all means possible (based on their Championship points collected last year)! Toyota have scored 56 points in 2008 - must be a substantial amount then!!!!! They don't wanna lose that much money, whilst struggling. Remember BrawnGP were denied of Honda money worth millions from last year's TV ratings (Honda scored 14 points in 2008 though)?? Same won't be the case now.

I will say, Toyota is fool if it breaks, especially now.

[The FOZ]

Can Brawn afford Kimi?
This is why Toyota seems like the deal for the fin.

I think given the performance this year (and last, in Kimi's case), Brawn may have more trouble hanging on to Button.

Keep in mind, there's no way in the world Kimi is going to be pulling 50 million per season next time he signs on the dotted line.

[ISLAMATRON]

The teams signed the Concord agreement, not the manufacturers... Toyota can pull a Honda and sell the team for $1 and will suffer no penalty for breaking its agreement.

[Moanlower]

Just my 2 cents.. but I believe Kimi is just claiming that he wants to stay at Ferrari or F1 just so that Ferrari has to break his contract of 45mil for next year and pay him out. If Kimi was claiming that he wants to quit F1 to go rallying he wouldn't see any of the 45mil, and we all know how much he loves the colour of money.

He also said many times that Ferrari will be his last team.

[jddh1]

If I was Kimi I would do the same thing. Get PAID!

[The FOZ]

Just my 2 cents.. but I believe Kimi is just claiming that he wants to stay at Ferrari or F1 just so that Ferrari has to break his contract of 45mil for next year and pay him out. If Kimi was claiming that he wants to quit F1 to go rallying he wouldn't see any of the 45mil, and we all know how much he loves the colour of money.

He also said many times that Ferrari will be his last team.

He's also said recently that he's got many other opportunities in F1 with different teams.

And the contract break process would have more to it than that. Regardless of what Kimi wants to go do, whomever breaks the relationship first is the one that must pay a penalty, which would have been determined when he signed his contract.

[Moanlower]

Just my 2 cents.. but I believe Kimi is just claiming that he wants to stay at Ferrari or F1 just so that Ferrari has to break his contract of 45mil for next year and pay him out. If Kimi was claiming that he wants to quit F1 to go rallying he wouldn't see any of the 45mil, and we all know how much he loves the colour of money.

He also said many times that Ferrari will be his last team.

He's also said recently that he's got many other opportunities in F1 with different teams.

And the contract break process would have more to it than that. Regardless of what Kimi wants to go do, whomever breaks the relationship first is the one that must pay a penalty, which would have been determined when he signed his contract.

Well, in my opinion he said that to put more pressure on Ferrari to break the contract from their side and not hoping for a compromise because Kimi has his sight on rallying anyway. And I'm not blaming him for that, would just do the same.

[axle]

Ferrari are in the turd because they are facing the prospect of booting out a red hot Kimi (for mega bucks) in preference for a potentially damaged Massa...

That to me makes no sense, as they may find that they end up with neither Massa or Kimi should they cancel Kimi and find out Massa can't drive 10 tenths again...the game has changed and Massa could well be the one sidelined if he can't prove himself before the end of year.