That's a ridiculous application of logic right there. If no one will pay him more than half of his current salary, then he has no option but to be 'happy' with that or fuck off.
You don't seem to understand that successful negotiation requires both sides to negotiate, not just one side coming in and starting and ending the dialogue with "I want this, give it to me." That's just childish and will not result in him getting a contract for 2010.
You don't seem to understand the situation. Kimi doesn't need a negotiation, in fact he doesn't "need" anything. He is laying his cards on the table for McLaren. He basically is saying "Take it or leave it. I
would like to pursuit another title with you, but I need to be fully satisfied with the contract"
It's the driver's self value and pride to demand the salary he feels comfortable with. Obviously it all has to be in proportion from last year's figure, which in this case... it is.
So how can it be childish if it's everyone's right to maximise the benefit from the contract? It is perfectly justified.
If Kimi can't get a seat for 2010 then he has no one to blame but himself and his management for poor negotiation. If he doesn't want what they're offering, then that's his choice to make, but you can't say that the teams should be offering any more than they are "just because" he's got that in the past, when no other driver has.
McLaren is not in the position to offer anything to Kimi, but to negotiate with Kimi's offer. Had it been a rookie driver, McLaren would have already won the war with a $0 contract, but we are talking about a man here that will only do things his way. A God in F1.
Kimi can make those demands cos of his reputation, achievements and status in F1. Like everyone other profession, F1 is no exception when it comes to salary negotiation. I think it's a very fair request from Kimi/his manager. The man is not stupid, Kimi certainly knows his options, hence the asking price of his '09 salary.
And I'm saying this with a background profession of an acting director for an interior decorating company in sales & marketing department. I have negotiated dozens of formal contracts with my staff & workers. So I know how to play this game, it's all about "want" and "value" factor.
If you were to look for the ultimate best in any particular profession, you cannot possible offer that person 50% of his normal service charge. You really need to understand this concept or people will take advantage of you in the future.
I have lost a few valuable talents in the past because I was not prepare to meet their requirement. But at the same time, I didn't bullshit them around by offering something ridiculous and absurd like 50% of their current salary. I basically told them what I could offer, and tried to convince them with other incentives. McLaren needs to do the same if they are not willing to meet Kimi's terms. There are lots of other incentives, it's not all about money. Maybe an undisputed #1 driver status in the team, or the freedom of any sponsorships, the list can go on forever.
Still times change and as MadCow says, offering someone half their current salary to do the same job is borderline insulting, even in these exceptional circumstances.
Exactly, well said.
