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.