Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson has come out and stated that his client will not drive for Red Bull next year.
Following confirmation from Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner that it was going to be a toss-up between Raikkonen and Ricciardo to occupy the second driver’s seat, which will be vacated by Mark Webber at the end of the season. However, it now looks like the dream pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will remain just that- a dream.
Robertson told the Finnish paper Turun Sanomat: “The negotiations with Red Bull were not successful and ended some time ago.”
Kimi now has the option of staying with the Lotus team or move to his former team Ferrari, who have apparently offered the Finn a seat for next year.
It is now expected that Red Bull will choose their young driver Daniel Ricciardo to replace Mark Webber, who will leave the sport at the end of this season.
Red Bull are expected to officially announce their second driver for next season during the Belgian GP weekend, which takes place this week.