Räikkönen at McLaren in 2010?

Kimi Räikkönen is said to have signed an agreement with Ferrari allowing him to return to McLaren-Mercedes in 2010. This would result in an open seat for Fernando Alonso at Ferrari and see Nico Rosberg take a place at Brawn GP. According to the British newspaper the *Daily Mirror*, Räikkönen has agreed to rejoin his employers from Woking, with whom he raced from 2002 to 2006, securing half of his 18 Grand Prix victories to date with the British team.

Although this relationship did not end on the best terms – the Finnish driver’s laid-back lifestyle not necessarily fitting with McLaren’s very clinical atmosphere – it seems that both parties would now be inclined to resume their association. The only point of contention is that Ferrari has no desire to pay Räikkönen’s 2010 salary while he refuses to move until he gets what he wants.

However, if the deal goes through, it would leave a seat open for Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, but it would mostly indicate that Nico Rosberg will not drive for the Woking team. The most likely scenario is that the young German, whom Mercedes dreams of having in its ranks, will replace Rubens Barrichello at Brawn GP.

It is known that Mercedes-Benz was strongly urging McLaren to secure the services of Nico Rosberg for the following season to replace Heikki Kovalainen. However, considering sources suggesting that the Stuttgart manufacturer might seek at least a partial takeover of Brawn GP, Mercedes-Benz seems determined to push the young German driver into Ross Brawn’s team.