Kimi Raikkonen Lotus

November 2, 2013 by staff

Kimi Raikkonen Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen has threatened to walk out on Lotus and miss the last two races of the season unless he is paid what he claims are the missing millions from his salary and bonus package.

Raikkonen, 34, the 2007 world champion who made a successful return to Formula One with Lotus last year, also said he was close to missing Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “I came here only because hopefully we found an understanding on the certain issues we have been having,” he said. “Hopefully it will be fixed and we can finish the season as well as we can.”

Raikkonen is expected to race after flying into Abu Dhabi a day later than the other drivers. But when asked whether he would consider not taking part in the final races in the United States and Brazil later in the month he said: “For sure. I enjoy racing, I enjoy driving – but a big part of it is business.

“Sometimes when that is not dealt with like it should we end up in an unfortunate situation. You have to put the line somewhere, and if it goes over that … it is not really my fault any more.”

Raikkonen is thought to be the third best-paid driver in Formula One after Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. But his package is heavily weighted with bonuses and it these that cash-strapped Lotus have struggled to pay, according to Raikkonen. He has simply driven better than they expected.