Thursday January 15th, 2004

McLaren have told Finland's Kimi Raikkonen that he will be partnering Juan Pablo Montoya at the Formula One team next year, Autosport magazine reported on Thursday.

Quoting 'high-level sources', the weekly said the team had taken up an option on the 2003 Championship runner-up for an undisclosed sum. A McLaren spokeswoman said the Mercedes-powered team would make an announcement about the 2005 driver line-up when they were ready to do so.

If confirmed, the move would spell the end at the team for Briton David Coulthard after an unbroken nine seasons.

Coulthard has been linked in media speculation to Toyota, who have Olivier Panis of France and Brazilian Cristiano da Matta out of contract at the end of 2004. Raikkonen had his first experience of the new McLaren in Spain last week.

Asked who he expected his main rivals to be this season, the Finn told Autosport: "Both Ferraris, both Williams and David on his good days."

Montoya will race for McLaren in 2005 after he completes his contract with Williams.

Published at 19:02:52 GMT

Picked from the Bunch:	<<  Previous  |  Jan Index  |  The Grapevine |  Next  >>
(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

© 2005 Reuters Limited. Click for Restrictions | © 1995-2005 Kaizar.Com, Inc. Copyright & Terms