Raikkonen eyes lucrative sabbatical in 2010 – Massa to be father next week

Ferrari is still pushing hard to arrange a third formula one car for Michael Schumacher to race in 2010. BMW and Toyota now departed, Renault thinking about following suit and the famous Italian team scornful of the sport’s new entrants, Luca di Montezemolo has renewed his campaign to have the rules changed.

“This is perhaps an opportunity to have a third car for each team,” the Ferrari president told Bild newspaper.  “I will do everything I can.  And naturally we are thinking of Michael Schumacher for our third car.”

At the same time, Schumacher – despite calling off his return in Felipe Massa’s car in August due to injury – is not ruling out making another bid to come back to the grid.

“Let’s put it like this, I do not see a reason why I should confirm or rule out anything,” the seven time world champion told Gulf News.

However, Sir Frank Williams doubts the 40-year-old German is serious.

“Not a chance.  No,” said the Briton, who believes Schumacher decided against returning this year after underestimating his fitness.

Raikkonen eyes lucrative sabbatical in 2010

Kimi Raikkonen stands to make more money in 2010 if he takes a sabbatical.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that if the Finn accepts McLaren’s current offer, he will earn 15 million euros in 2010, as opposed to 17m if he has a season on the sidelines.

According to his termination deal with Ferrari, the Italian team has promised to pay Raikkonen, 30, 17 million if he does not race in F1 next year, and 10m if he finds suitable employment elsewhere.

Realising this, McLaren has reportedly offered Raikkonen just 5 million for the 2010 seat, concluding that 15m in total earnings is a very healthy amount for the 2007 world champion.

Presently, Raikkonen’s management team of Steve and David Robertson is demanding that McLaren pay a full retainer, plus agree to a reduced amount of sponsorship days for their charge.

Nick Heidfeld has been touted as McLaren’s ‘plan B’, and in an interview with spox.com, the German was asked about Martin Whitmarsh’s recent statement that the 32-year-old is perhaps F1’s most underrated driver.

“At the moment I’m not ruling out any team,” he answered.

Massa to be father next week

Felipe Massa, having survived an horror qualifying crash in July, is set to imminently enjoy the pleasures of parenthood.

“Next week I become a father,” the Ferrari driver is quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport.

Brazilian Massa and his wife Rafaela are having a boy, and he will be named Felipe.

source: GMM