Toyota looking at Kimi

By Karl King
February 14 2006

It’s been rumoured that Kimi Raikkonen is being considered by Panasonic Toyota Racing for 2007. The Finn's contract with McLaren expires at the end if 2006 and it is thought he would not want to race alongside Fernando Alonso who joins the team in 2007.

Ferrari are the favourites, as earlier in the year Autosport stated that Kimi had signed a contract to drive for the Italian team from 2007 onwards, possibly to partner or replace Michael Schumacher. But since then Ferrari have been hit with financial difficulties, having lost Vodafone to McLaren and Fiat (Ferrari’s owners) being plunged into debt. Therefore the market is open, with McLaren, Renault and Toyota all eager to get the Finn’s signature.

Toyota are preparing a rumoured £275 million bid for the Finn, which would leave either Jarno Trulli or Ralf Schumacher in the dark.