Mo' Money, Fewer Problems: Can Raikkonen earn more by not racing?
If you scoffed at the notion that unionized auto workers were being paid not to work, you're going to love this one: According to reports emerging from Europe, Kimi Raikkonen could stand to make more money next year if he doesn't race than if he does.
The bizarre circumstance comes down to the terms of his departure from Scuderia Ferrari. Kimi was reportedly offered a whopping 17 million euros in order to make room for an incoming Fernando Alonso, but that's only if he doesn't find a suitable seat with another team. If he does, Ferrari will only be required to pay the 2007 world champion
That means Kimi would make 15 million euros if he drove again for McLaren next year – which is tipped to be the one and only team he's considering – but 17 million if he sat the year out. Of course negotiations are ongoing, but all things being equal, the Finn could be looking at one very lucrative year off.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via F1-Live | Image: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chris 9:32AM (11/09/2009)
Someone is a sever nail biter.
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opmike 9:35AM (11/09/2009)
Ewww...
Fernando 9:35AM (11/09/2009)
I feel for him, except I'm not that bad.
Need More Oil For GM 11:41AM (11/09/2009)
That's because he's scared of GM's upcoming Formula 1 car driven by Bob Lutz.
GM. An American Revolution.
James 11:46AM (11/09/2009)
"Kimi Raikkonen could stand to make more money next year if he doesn't race than if he does..."
Good for him. Well enough time (and dough) to get a "decent"...nail job.
ken_aisin 1:29PM (11/09/2009)
"Someone is a sever nail biter."
I wonder whether he's the one who actually bites them. With all the money that he's making for not driving next year, I'm sure he can afford hiring someone who will bite them for him.
nissanGTR4ever 9:39AM (11/09/2009)
i just threw up ew
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MachinaDC5 9:40AM (11/09/2009)
He trims those nails for weight reduction. His dedication is that deep.
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MaX PL 9:40AM (11/09/2009)
doesnt 5+5=10?
what am i misreading here?
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sublime.intervention 9:45AM (11/09/2009)
Well spotted, Ferrari will infact pay Kimi $10m if he finds a drive for 2010, as incorrectly reported above.
Tom Winch 5:14PM (11/09/2009)
"McLaren is reportedly offering Raikkonen only 5 million euros to drive for them, knowing that Ferrari – and migrating sponsor Santander – will cough up the rest."
It's 5 million Euro (not dollars) from McLaren, and 10 million Euro from Ferrari & Santander. The current exchange rate is $1.4997 to 1 Euro so he would make $22.5 million if he races or $25.5 million if he sits out. I'm wagering that some how the difference will be made up by McLaren. But, if they don't, there's too many open seats to let a driver of Kimi's caliber sit for a year. I know he says he'll only drive for a top team, but who's to say that he wouldn't change his mind if someone like Sauber or USF1 (examples only guys, no speculation) threw a number out there that he couldn't refuse.
Robert 9:45AM (11/09/2009)
That's the kind of severance package I'd want. We'll give you X for you to leave now. If you leave now and can't find a job before a certain date, we'll give you 3X.
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Kyle 12:00PM (11/09/2009)
The nice thing for him is I think it only counts for formula 1 teams so he could go rallying for a year and come back and make even more money
sublime.intervention 9:46AM (11/09/2009)
Well spotted, Ferrari will infact pay Kimi $10m if he finds a drive for 2010, as incorrectly reported above.
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Kumar 9:46AM (11/09/2009)
"If he does, Ferrari will only be required to pay the 2007 world champion 5 million euros."
10 million...
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HotRodzNKustoms 10:02AM (11/09/2009)
I doubt he's worried about the money... though a few million extra Euros is nothing to sneeze at.
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sparrk 2:12PM (11/09/2009)
i'd take the 17 million and spend a year racing rally cars. he likes rally more than F1 anyway
Pat 10:21AM (11/09/2009)
Anyone know if/what he gets paid if he races in another series next year (ie WRC)? Is the 17 million the amount he gets if he can't find a "suitable" F1 driving job or any racing job?
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RX-8 10:35AM (11/09/2009)
I dont have a calculator handy but I dont think that 5 + 5 = 15.
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neoscape 10:38AM (11/09/2009)
I could make do with a 17m Euro salary to sit around and not work. Then again, I would probably take no salary if I got to have Kimi's job.
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