USF1blog.com recently took an in-depth look at the 2010 drivers market, and we are now hearing that Kimi Raikkonen has signed a preliminary “outline agreement” to kick off a second tenure with McLaren beginning next season.  The Mirror cited “paddock sources” in claiming that Raikkonen is prepared to vacate his contracted Ferrari seat in 2010, but only if the Italian outfit pays his salary. It is estimated that Raikkonen’s 2010 Ferrari contract is valued at nearly $49m.

The 29-year-old Finn, who raced with the woking based outfit between 2002 and 2006, must first reach an agreement with Ferrari, with whom he is under contract for one more season.

The report also said the news ties in with Nico Rosberg’s link with Brawn and the Brackley team’s burgeoning relationship with Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes was said to be pushing for Rosberg to replace Heikki Kovalainen at McLaren, but may now have resolved to push the German driver to Brawn and increase its involvement with Ross Brawn’s team.

This of means, of course, that the fate of Barrichello and Kovalainen are still up in the air for next season.

photo credit ©XPB

Author: Jeff