Citroen Junior Team driver Kimi Raikkonen has admitted he has no intention of driving for the Renault Formula 1 team next season - a move which is reckoned to all-but rule-out the Finn’s return to racing and to keep him in the World Rally Championship.
Ever since the former Formula 1 World Champion signed up for his first season in the WRC, there has been speculation of his return to the track. Raikkonen has not publicly stated that he will remain in the WRC next year, but those close to him are now confident of a second season at rallying’s highest level.
Speaking to a Finnish newspaper, Raikkonen spoke out last week against what he saw as manoeuvring from Renault. He said: “I am very disappointed with how they have used my name for their own marketing. I have never even seriously considered driving for Renault and I can assure you that I am 100 per cent sure that I will not drive for Renault next season.”
Raikkonen’s agreement with Red Bull has yet to be concluded for next season, but Citroen Racing director Olivier Quesnel remains adamant the French firm wants to retain him for another year - but the Finn’s seat will have to be funded.
Both the Monster Ford World Rally Team and Prodrive’s fledgling Mini WRC team are both known to have had discussions with the 2007 world champion, but those talks have yet to extend to an offer of employment.
Raikkonen has endured a tough rookie season in the World Rally Championship. He has finished seven of the 10 events he’s started, but he has only scored points three times. His highest placed finish came in Turkey, where he placed his C4 WRC in fifth place. He has crashed out of the last two events and currently lies in 10th place in the drivers’ standings.
When asked about next season, Raikkonen conceded it would be “probably rallying” where he would remain.
While Raikkonen has contested 10 WRC rounds this season, he’s only started 11 in his entire career - and next week’s Catalunya Rally will only be his 16th rally ever.