I think all of these sport/racing types get paid way too much for what they do. But, having said that, I don't think it is any of McLaren's business what Raikkonen get from Ferrari. Sounds like a cheap team! Maybe lil Hamilton's daddy told them that Raikkonen can not make more than his son! I wonder if that bozo Dennis is lurking somewhere near! I believe Raikkonen is a much better driver than Hamilton. Ham and his daddy don't have the pull they once had because of Dennis splitting. But, that doesn't mean daddy won't try something. Kimi should stay away from that team.

What's with Kimi anyway? He's an ok driver, not really a standout to me, he has zero personality, rich beyond belief, and seems to take for granted that he's a FORMULA 1 DRIVER, something guys like me would do for $1. PERSPECTIVE please Kimi. Jeez.

Does McLaren think Kimi is desperate for a 2010 job? Is Kimi desperate for a job? I totally agree with everyone. The market should determine Kimi's compensation not McLaren saying ok if your already making this so we'll offer you this on top of it.

How does anyone know what Kimi really wants? When he speaks i have to turn up the volume on the TV and still have trouble understanding what he is saying.

If Ferrari is paying Kimi 17 mil to not race, and 10 mil if he does race, I can see the logic behind Mclaren's offer. They want him on the cheap. What is odd is that they would not offer 7 mil to actually give Kimi the same amout he would get for not racing. But an additional stumbling block for both sides may be the sponership commitment, and the ability for Kimi to go rallying. Those points may be what makes this deal very unlikely to happen. It would certainly be sad for Kimi's fans, of which I am not one, but it would rob all the F1 viewers of a very distictive and unique pressence, who is not overwhelmed by the celebrity and fame the sport thrusts upon the drivers.

If McLaren oly pays him $5M, Brawn can centainly do the same. Kimi can just go to Brawn instead. I doubt the accuracy of the source.

I think Kimi said it best himself. He considers Mclaren the only viable drive. Brawn, I'm sure could easily pay him 5 or 7 mil for a drive next year, as a young team, they would have to consider their sponsership commitments, and Kimi's reluctance to that

I'm just hoping they can get this together because I am a huge Kimi fan and will miss him if he's not on the grid. I think McLaren is trying to get him on the cheap by wrongfully throwing in the excuse of his money from Ferrari. Guys, it's not a coupon - pay the man what he is worth. I think this article is mostly basid in farce and that the issu really is over the sponsore and rallying agreements. It would be bad for Kimi to take a sabbatical because it seems like onece someone is out of F1 it's too hard to get fit again and get back in especially now that the sport is changing so fast.

I'm with rodentcafeteria; I'm willing to NOT drive F1 for far less than $17M. It would be a huge sacrifice on my part, but I'm a team player.

Seriously, as much as I'd like to see him in a McLaren in 2010, I suspect he's more likely to drive a rally car. Have fun, Kimi!

Let's be real, there's not a one of us who would turn down an offer to make MORE if we took the year off to go play. I say Kimi, go for it you lucky S.O.B.!