[Iceman]

Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 in 2010 his manager Steve Robertson reportedly told the media in his native Finland on Tuesday.

The 2007 world champion has been informed by McLaren that they will not be signing him for next season.

The news is yet another sign that McLaren are hours away from confirming Jenson Button alongside Lewis Hamilton to create the first British champions pairing for 41 years, since Graham Hill and Jim Clark at Lotus in 1968.

But it is bad news for Raikkonen who badly misjudged his hand in contract talks with Woking, that have been going on since close to the start of the season.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has been attempting to sign the Finn since March and the deal could have been done and dusted before Button’s talks ran into trouble.

"The option for next season at Formula 1 level was McLaren or nothing," Robertson said.

"Kimi and McLaren didn't reach an agreement, so he won't drive in F1 next year.

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"The opportunities to return to Grand Prix competition for 2011 are there, when there will be more interesting places available.

"At the moment it looks like that could be Red Bull.

"Kimi said before that he wants to race and a sabbatical doesn't change anything in that respect.

"Moreover, it means that Kimi can find a drive where he can fight for victories and world championships.

"Next year he will do rallies and possibly the Le Mans 24 Hours, which both interests and excites him a lot."

Raikkonen is said to have been demanding a considerable salary from McLaren despite a £12m pay off by Ferrari to make way for Fernando Alonso - a salary they have not been prepared to meet.




I ****ing hate jenson button i hope the **** crashes and dies