Toyota’s 2010 line-up remains unclear today as it became obvious that Kimi Raikkonen has not responded to the offer the Japanese team has made him.
The Finn has been made an offer by John Howett, the Toyota team principal, the details of which became clear over the weekend.
We don’t play too many games,” Howett told Reuters. “We put on the table what we can afford and what we think is a serious offer in the current market.
“I think genuinely we could work well with him, give him a car that’s quick.”
Howett added that Toyota was experienced with Scandinavian drivers’ mentalities and that the Finn would fit well in the team.
“We have had very good relationships with Scandinavian drivers in the rallying times that enjoy life and it works very well, so we could cope with it as a team.”
The offer is thought not to be favoured by Raikkonen, who wants a virtual guarantee of competitiveness, and certain quarters of his fans. Fears he could become the next Ralf Schumacher, who ended his career after lacklustre performances with Toyota, are as yet unfounded.
Raikkonen’s other possibilities include McLaren, and retirement from the sport. McLaren are still undecided whether to retain Heikki Kovalainen. Kovalainen has been linked with Force India.
Meanwhile, Toyota are still engaged in negotiation with their two current drivers, the injured Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli. Supersub Kamui Kobayashi also impressed at the weekend, meaning he could be in with a shout for a seat if negotiations fail with the aforementioned three.
