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Kimi Raikkonen will be missing from the grid in 2010 after failing to agree a deal to drive for McLaren, according to his management. Raikkonen, who has a keen interest in rallying, is expected to pursue other options next year as he looks to secure a winning drive for 2011.

The Finn, 2007 world champion with Ferrari, agreed to leave the Italian team at the end of this season despite having a year of his contract still to run, in order to make way for Fernando Alonso. He has always said he would only contemplate staying in the sport with a top team.

“The Formula One alternatives for next season were McLaren or nothing,” Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson was quoted as saying by Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. “Kimi and McLaren could not reach an agreement, so he will not drive at F1 level – at least not next year.”

Raikkonen previously spent five seasons with McLaren, from 2002 to 2006, winning nine Grands Prix and twice finishing runner-up in the drivers’ championship. He moved to Ferrari for 2007, taking the title that year, but was overshadowed by team mate Felipe Massa the following season.

This year Raikkonen has experienced mixed fortunes, with pundits repeatedly questioning his level of motivation. He won the Belgian Grand Prix, but was subsequently hampered by Ferrari’s decision to halt development of their 2009 car.

He also made his World Rally Championship debut at his home event in August, setting competitive times before crashing out. He could now return to that series next year, although Robertson hinted his driver’s Formula One career is far from over.

“Kimi still lives and breathes driving ambition,” he added. “In that sense a year off means nothing. More important is to find a place for Kimi where he can fight for victory and the world championship.”

“It’s hard to believe that I have been in Formula One for nine years already,” was Raikkonen’s own take on the situation earlier this month. “I am very motivated to win races and a championship again and will only remain in Formula One if I can race for a team that can give me a car to fight at the front.”

Raikkonen’s apparent removal from the running for a 2010 McLaren seat has already boosted media speculation that the British team could sign reigning world champion Jenson Button to partner Lewis Hamilton next season.

The GP3 Series kicks off next season as a new support event at Grand Prix weekends and Red Bull’s Mark Webber was at the Paul Ricard circuit in France on Tuesday to give international media and the ten GP3 teams their first taste of the new car.

The standardised single-seater machine is built by Dallara and powered by a turbo engine developed by the Renault Formula One team. Transmission is by Hewland and tyres for the GP2 feeder event will be supplied by Pirelli.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by the new GP3 car,” said Webber after completing 19 laps of Paul Ricard’s 3A configuration. “It’s my first experience driving the car and I can honestly say it is like driving a small F1 car. A lot of the aspects are what I am already used to, but obviously on a smaller, more junior scale, for example the car has a full paddle-shift gearbox and clutch system.

“The biggest advantage for this championship has to be racing at the Formula One race weekends. This will give drivers great exposure, and for sure all of the team bosses will be watching. Overall I think it is a great car I am very impressed by the whole package, and I am looking forward to the first race next season.”

Webber has more than just a passing interest in the new series. In partnership with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner’s Arden organisation, the Australian driver has entered a team, MW Arden.

“Christian was interested in taking part in the series and approached me,” explained Webber. “ I’m not at the beginning of the F1 career so it was a logical step for me.”

The new Manor GP team, currently preparing for their Formula One debut next season, have confirmed 2009 Toyota star Timo Glock to lead their driver line-up. The announcement precedes the official launch of the team later this year.

Manor say their driver strategy has been to secure a blend of youth and experience – and that Glock ticks both boxes. The 27-year-old German made his F1 debut as a Jordan stand-in in 2004, before beginning his career in earnest with Toyota in 2008, going on to score three podiums and 51 points.

“I had several options for 2010, some of them with more established teams,” explained Glock. “Every driver has the same overall objective – to win the world championship one day – but the way I want to succeed is to be part of the process of building a team and to play a key role in developing the car. This is why the opportunity with Manor GP is so exciting for me.

“I have spent a lot of time with (technical director) Nick Wirth, (team boss) John Booth and other members of the team and what I liked most is that this a real racing team run by true racers. The team may be small and new but it has big ambitions and a very impressive car and development programme. I am confident that I can play a big role in terms of my technical input and that’s a fantastic opportunity for me. I can’t wait to start testing the new car early next year.”

Commenting on Glock’s signing, Wirth said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Timo has chosen to drive for our team. It has always been my recommendation that we have at least one driver with experience of the 2009 cars to help our development programme, but to get a driver that has not only achieved podium finishes in 2009 but has such proven talent and the potential to take us forward for many years is very exciting. The fact that he has come and seen all aspects of the project before making his decision speaks volumes about what we have achieved so far.”

Manor are one of four new teams joining the grid next season, along with Lotus, Campos Meta and the US F1 Team. They expect to reveal more of their plans and car development programme later this year, but in the meantime have been quietly progressing towards their inaugural year of Formula One competition.

“Progress on our new car continues to be very encouraging,” added Wirth. “The first fully-finished monocoque was completed a week ago, and we’ve been crash testing all areas of the car since May. I think we’ll have the bulk of the official FIA tests done by Christmas, bang on our schedule. Now we just can’t wait to get Timo into the new car once track testing begins next year.”

Felipe Massa was back behind the wheel of the Ferrari F60 on Sunday, his first outing in the team’s 2009 machine since his life-threatening crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting back in July. Massa wowed the crowds at Spain’s Valencia circuit, where Ferrari were celebrating the end of their motorsport season with the annual Ferrari World Finals.

It may not have been his first time back in an F1 car – he tested an older machine at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track last month – but it was a very special day for the Brazilian, back in front of his beloved fans less than four months after his skull was fractured by a loose spring from a rival car.

“I am very happy to be here, that I can work with the team,” said Massa. “It’s true that I’ve been with them in Sao Paulo and in Abu Dhabi, but driving is really extraordinary! Today I also want to thank all the fans, who were really close to me over the last months. The messages I received were wonderful.”

Massa drove around 20 laps, first with his test driver team mates Marc Gene, Giancarlo Fisichella and Luca Badoer and later on, after a couple of pit stops, alone – an experience he described as almost as good as a race win.

“It was fantastic and I am so happy,” he said. “Although I could drive just a little, I really enjoyed being here. I am very motivated: this today for me is like victory. It was just like before the accident at the Hungaroring.”

Massa is due to make his competitive Formula One comeback at the 2010 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will line-up for the first time alongside new team mate Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard was also present in Valencia, hosting its first World Finals, though not driving as he is still officially contracted to Renault.

“Let’s hope that we can give our fans some satisfaction in 2010,” added Massa. “Fernando and I really want to be the best couple in Formula One.”

Belgian youngster Bertrand Baguette is the latest name to land the chance to test at next month’s young drivers’ session at Jerez. Baguette will be in action for Renault at the Spanish circuit on December 1, as a reward for winning the 2009 Formula Renault 3.5 series.

“This will be a great first for me,” Baguette told his official website. “It’s all my childhood dreams come true and, at the same time, it’s every racing driver’s ultimate goal. It’s thanks to Renault that I was able to get into single-seater racing, by winning a programme set up by Renault in Belgium to discover up-and-coming young talent from karting. Since then, I’ve driven every Renault single-seater, from Formula Renault 1.6 to Formula Renault 3.5 via Formula Renault 2.0.

“Driving the Renault F1 R29 kind of completes the set as far as I’m concerned! The first few laps in Formula One must be really unbelievable, with a lighter, more powerful car that has just phenomenal cornering speeds. I’ll have everything to learn, not just the car itself, but also a new environment, lots of new parameters, a different way of working. The only thing I will be familiar with will be the Jerez circuit!”

Baguette is currently getting ready for the test by following a special training programme and will visit Renault’s UK factory at Enstone in the next few days for a full pre-session briefing.

“The most important thing for me is not really driving the fastest possible lap,” he concluded. “The aim of this day will be to work hard with the team and to carry out the test programme that Renault F1 Team is going to define seriously and professionally. Rather than my outright speed, it will be my ability to analyse the car’s handling and my communication with the members of the team that will be gauged.

“I can’t wait. I’m going to have to take things one step at a time and be cautious. It’s a terrific opportunity to be able to take part in testing with a team as prestigious as Renault.”

Red Bull Junior team driver Mirko Bortolotti will test for Toro Rosso at next month’s young drivers’ test at Jerez. Formula Two racer Bortolotti will be in action at the Spanish circuit on December 2.

“I’m very happy and very proud,” the Italian was quoted as saying by the official F2 website. “My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected for this test is very important for my career. Of course, if I can get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must focus on Jerez! I understand that it is an important test for all of the Formula One teams also.

“Every mile counts particularly with the current testing situation so I will prepare myself well over the next few weeks and be ready to help the team carry out their programme. Of course, I always want to be on top and beat the other guys but I have to be realistic and focus on my own opportunity.

“I will try to learn as much as possible; I want to work closely with the team and see how all of the guys operate. My dream is to reach F1 and I hope this is the beginning of a good relationship with the team.”

Bortolotti’s Toro Rosso outing will be his second taste of Formula One power. The 19-year-old took part in a test for Ferrari in November 2008, after winning the Italian Formula Three title.

In which Spanish city was Fernando Alonso born? Where in Italy are Lancia’s headquarters? Which two Frenchman competed for the team in the 1985 season? Which current Formula One driver is from Rome, and what does his first name mean? Which Frenchman has entered the most Grands Prix?

These are just some of the questions we thought Renault’s Romain Grosjean would take in his stride after he agreed to be the latest participant in our personal trivia test, ‘Ask the Expert’…

Q: You are a fan of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers song, ‘Snow’. What album does the song appear on and when was it released?
Romain Grosjean: Stadium Arcadium released in 2006 if I am not wrong.
Correct

Q: The last French world champion was Alain Prost. What connection is there between your current team and the Professor’s last world title?
RG: He won the title in 1993 in Williams with a Renault engine.
Correct

Q: You won the 2007 Formula Three Euroseries title. But who did you inherit the title from and who succeeded you in 2008?
RG: That was Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg.
Correct

Q: Alongside your race drive, you also work in a bank in Geneva. Can you guess how many banks there were in Switzerland in 2008?
RG: I don’t know. Hundreds I guess…
Incorrect – to be more exact there are 327.

Q: In which Spanish city was your team mate at Renault for the 2009 season, Fernando Alonso, born?
RG: Oviedo
Correct

Q: You are the first French driver to race a Renault since 1985. Which two Frenchman competed for the team that season?
RG: I am good at team history: Patrick Tambay and Francois Hesnault.
Correct

Q: Like you, Jaime Alguersuari got his drive after replacing another driver mid-season. You finished your debut in Valencia in 15th, but where did Alguersuari finish his?
RG: I can’t remember.
Incorrect – he also finished in 15th at the preceding Hungarian Grand Prix.

Q: You are a fan of the television show Prison Break. What did 13 American prisons decide to do in light of the show?
RG: They banned their prisoners from watching the show.
Correct

Q: How many points did your predecessor at Renault, Nelson Piquet, score during his time with the team?
RG: Something around 19 or 20 points.
Correct – it was 19 points.

Q: Which Italian former Formula One driver, born in 1954, do you share your birthday with?
RG: I have no clue.
Incorrect – it’s Riccardo Patrese, born April 17, 1954

Q: You share your surname with a famous French tennis player. Which one and how many titles has he taken during his career?
RG: Sebastien Grosjean, but I don’t know how many titles.
One point from a possible two – Tennis’ Grosjean has won four titles.

Q: You were born in Geneva. What appears on the right-hand side of the city’s coat of arms?
RG: That is a golden key.
Correct

Q: In what place did Alonso finish on his Formula One debut?
RG: That’s too long ago for me to remember!
Incorrect – he finished 12th at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix for Minardi.

Q: You scored your first GP2 victory in the 2008 Istanbul sprint race. Bruno Senna retired from that race after an unusual collision. What was so odd about the accident?
RG: He hit a dog at high-speed.
Correct

Q: Your official website lists the Lancia Delta HF Integrale as the car of your dreams. Where in Italy are Lancia’s headquarters?
RG: Turin.
Correct

Q: Mauritius is one of your favourite holiday destinations. The island is famous for having been the only known home of which famous bird, which became extinct in the late 17th century?
RG: Birds are not really my speciality. Sorry, no idea.
Incorrect – it was the dodo.

Q: You like the cuisine of the French region of Haute-Savoie, but which world-famous natural drink comes from the area?
RG: Evian water.
Correct

Q: Which Frenchman has entered the most Grands Prix?
RG: Prost?
Incorrect – it was Jean Alesi, who entered 201 races, just two more than Alain Prost.

Q: What is the best-selling Renault road car of all time?
RG: Sorry, I don’t know. Tell me.
Incorrect – it’s was the Renault 4, which sold over 8 million units between 1961 and 1992.

Q: Your first name means ‘from Rome’. Which Formula One driver is from Rome, and what does his first name mean?
RG: Giancarlo Fisichella is from Rome. Giancarlo means something?
One point from a possible two – it does indeed, Giancarlo means ‘God’s gracious gift’.

Final score: 16 points from a possible 25
Ask the Expert rating: 64%

Current leader board:
1. Heikki Kovalainen – 86%
2. Mark Webber – 84%
3= Lewis Hamilton – 80%
3= Kimi Raikkonen – 80%
5. Felipe Massa – 77%
6= Kazuki Nakajima – 73%
6= Jaime Alguersuari – 73%
8. Sebastien Buemi – 72%
9. Fernando Alonso – 71%
10. Robert Kubica – 70%
11. Jenson Button – 69%
12. Giancarlo Fisichella – 68%
13. Nico Rosberg – 66%
14= Sebastian Vettel – 64%
14= Rubens Barrichello – 64%
14= Romain Grosjean – 64%
17= Jarno Trulli – 58%
17= Timo Glock – 58%
19. Nick Heidfeld – 57%
20. Adrian Sutil – 54%

While there is still plenty of manoeuvring to play out in the driver market for 2010, one of the few new names to have a confirmed cockpit for next year is Bruno Senna, who will make his Formula One debut with new team Campos Meta.

Work on Senna’s charge for 2010 is already well underway and on Monday the 26 year-old visited Dallara’s factory in Italy where his car is being built. Updating his official Twitter page on Wednesday, the Brazilian seemed pleased with progress and hinted that his Campos car should be ready early in the New Year.

“The car seems to be in a well developed state,” he commented. “I’ve sat in the monocoque, made a seat and tested the power steering system. I was happy to see the team really investing in the project. The provisional delivery date for the first car is the end of January.”

After being presented to the media in the Spanish region of Murcia on Tuesday, Senna is expected to undergo a series of mandatory FIA medical tests on Wednesday.