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#222450
Kimi Raikkonen's management team has confirmed that the Finn is no longer looking at Formula 1 race options for next season, as the World Rally Championship is where he wants to stay in 2011.

Speaking to Finnish television station MTV3, Steve Roberston admitted Raikkonen wants to remain where he is.

"We're no longer looking at opportunities in F1. Kimi seems to be focused on rallying at the moment," said Robertson.

He refused to rule out a longer-term return to Formula 1 or racing for the 30-year old, adding: "Never say never, but right now our eye is not on F1.

"Nothing's been decided yet [for the WRC]. We'll let you know when there is something to say. At the moment nothing has been signed. We're talking to several teams."

In recent days, there has been increased speculation that Citroen will find a solution to keep Raikkonen in its Junior team with the 2007 F1 world champion taking money from a personal sponsorship deal from Red Bull, which is expected to be considerably lower than the £5m he is rumoured to have been paid by the Austrian firm this season.

Beyond Citroen, Mini remains an option for Raikkonen, but the limited programme of 2011 events and the high level of car development would not suit his experience or desire to be driving all the time at the moment.

A seat alongside Ken Block at the Monster Ford World Rally Team is another option, but there are funding issues for the American-based outfit.

Block admitted running with Raikkonen would offer great potential exposure for both Monster and DC Shoes, but he added a decision on a potential second driver may not be taken until early next year.

The final option for Raikkonen is a season away from rallying, with a possible return when there is likely to be more manufacturer interest in 2012.


Rather disappointing stuff that he isn't coming back next year. It would be a pretty cool line up though if he joined the Monster Rally Team with Ken Block.
#222453
I think this would make Kimi's stocks drop unfortunately. Which top team would trust him to be as committed and 'efficient' as he was in his 2005/2006 years after being out of the sport for 2 years? And he's not 'young' anymore either.

I hate saying it but Kimis done with F1 whether he likes it or not. :(
#222454
I think this would make Kimi's stocks drop unfortunately. Which top team would trust him to be as committed and 'efficient' as he was in his 2005/2006 years after being out of the sport for 2 years? And he's not 'young' anymore either.


At 30 he still has at least 8-9 years of racing left in him. In terms of what the WRC is doing to his F1 skills, Leob was really on the pace in his test for Red Bull a couple years ago.

I hate saying it but Kimis done with F1 whether he likes it or not. :(


Hmmm, we'll see. You might yet see him in a Red Bull in 2012.
#222456
not really surprised that kimi isnt looking for a drive in f1 at the moment..i think by the end of 2008 he had lost the motavation to be honest
#222483
That doesn't surprise me in the least; I believe his demands are generally too high; given how much he wanted for last season; electing to take his $14m in severance pay from Ferrari and run to the WRC, he isn't the most attractive package to F1 teams with his dislike for sponsor functions, a company won't sponsor a team just because of KImi's name if he isn't going to hold up his end of the bargain with appearances at company functions etc. And as Hammer said; the longer he is out; the slimmer his chances of getting a paid F1 drive will be. As for the Loeb comparison; being fast in an F1 car in a test and being fast with 23 other cars on the track is radically different!

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