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TOYOTA have made Kimi Raikkonen an offer he CAN refuse.

The Japanese giants are desperate to sign a top-line driver to lead their Formula One attack in 2010.

Raikkonen is on the market after securing a £25million pay-off from Ferrari, who are replacing him with Fernando Alonso.

Toyota have offered a deal to the party-loving Finn, who is the highest-paid driver in F1. But it seems the 2007 world champion's management are asking for more.

The team's motorsport president John Howett said: "We don't play too many games. We put on the table what we can afford and what we think is a serious offer in the current market.

"I genuinely think we could work well with Kimi and give him a car that's quick.

"We've had very good relationships with Scandinavian drivers in the past, when we won world rally championships with them.

"Like Kimi, they enjoyed life but it worked very well. So we could cope with that as a team."

Raikkonen has yet to finalise his plan of action, although a return to his former employers McLaren appears his most likely option.

He has declared he wants to be in a competitive car — and Toyota have not won a race since entering the sport in 2002.

They have already been snubbed by Polish ace Robert Kubica, who signed for Renault instead.

Toyota still have current drivers Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli — a target for Lotus's new F1 squad — under contract.

And Howett said: "With both drivers we are maintaining a degree of discussion.

"We have put an offer on the table for Jarno. I think he is not dissatisfied with the financial offer, but the bottom line to some extent is certain issues on the contract and I don't think they are negotiable from our side.

"He may well be in the car next year but it's not at all clear."

Japan's Kamui Kobayashi made his race debut for Toyota at Interlagos, standing in for the injured Glock.

At times he impressed as he fended off championship winner Jenson Button for several laps.

Howett said: "I thought he defended well. He's fearless and did a good job to get past Giancarlo Fisichella.

"He was a bit off the pace overall but it was very impressive. We have to give him serious consideration but still pace-wise he was a bit slow, so we'll have to see."

Button was less complimentary of the rookie. He said: "I tell you, that guy is crazy. I suppose it is just inexperience but he moves a lot in the braking zones which makes it very difficult."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... z0UXiMmpHw

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... offer.html