Although Kimi Raikkonen's return to McLaren next year, following his release by Ferrari, looked like a slam-dunk at the end of the season, the longer the delay, the more rumors are growing that the deal may not happen.
According to Eurosport, Ferrari will pay Raikkonen 17 million Euros ($25.5m) if he does not compete in F1 in 2010, or 10m Euros ($15m) if he does. As a consequence, McLaren is believed to be offering him just $7.5 million, but Raikkonen's management team of Steve and David Robertson is unwilling to accept this amount, and is also demanding that their client be obliged to attend fewer sponsor days than the team typically expects of its drivers.
If a compromise cannot be found, and Nico Rosberg joins Brawn GP as expected, long-time BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld is tipped to be next up on McLaren's short list to partner Lewis Hamilton next year.