Räikkönen to Skip Next Formula 1 Season
Kimi Räikkönen at the Jyväskylä rally.
Image: YLE / Aki Kekäläinen
Kimi Räikkönen will not compete in the next Formula One season, reports the newspaper Turun Sanomat. Negotiations with McLaren have broken off and the ex-world champion has no other options, the driver's manager Steve Robertson told the paper.
"The alternatives at the F1-level for next season were either McLaren or nothing," he said. "Kimi and McLaren did not reach an agreement so he will not drive at the F1-level for next year at least."
Instead, Räikkönen will compete in some Rally World Cup events and possibly the Le Mans 24 hour race in France, he said.
Ferrari released Räikkönen from his contract in September -- but thanks to its severance pay, the Finn will remain one of the highest-paid Formula One racers next season as well.
Turun Sanomat, YLE