Can Ferrari let go of Räikkönen?

Kimi Räikkönen has never been in an ejection seat as much as in recent weeks. If his nonchalance and his lack of motivation are often criticized, the Finn still has a contract binding him to Ferrari until the end of the 2010 season.

So that the Scuderia can put its plan into action - replace it with Fernando Alonso from this end of the season, the driver would have to be paid a full year's salary, or more than 28 million euros. A pharaonic sum at a time when motorsport is seeking to reduce its expenses at all levels. But, according to The Sun, the Scuderia wants to take this risk, trying to obtain the Finn's agreement by paying him half of his salary planned for 2010.

If the operation appears risky, it would trigger the start of the transfer period in Formula 1. Fernando Alonso could then join the Scuderia in 2010, leaving his seat at Renault to Robert Kubica, favorite to inherit the place of the double world champion. Starting from BMW, which is ending its involvement in Formula 1 at the end of this season, the Pole is however coveted by many teams.