Renault Key To Raikkonen Plans

Whether or not Kimi Raikkonen makes an appearance in testing for Ferrari this year, remarkably, seems likely to rest on the decision made by Renault boss Flavio Briatore.
Raikkonen currently holds a contract with McLaren which is only due to expire on December 31 of 2006. As we have seen in the past many teams choose to hold their drivers' to this agreement, preventing them from assisting their new teams until the New Year.
This time, however, it seems as though McLaren would be willing to let Raikkonen join up with his new team before the year end should Renault allow their new driver, Fernando Alonso, a similar leeway.
"It is a discussion that we will have with Ferrari," a McLaren source has said.
"I believe that our attitude will be just as pragmatic as Flavio Briatore's."
Whether or not the Renault team boss is willing to be so generous to his two main rivals remains to be seen but Ferrari will no doubt be hopeful that they could see their new Finn flying in the Scuderia red sooner rather than later.