Kimi Raikkonen Coy On Formula 1 Future

Former Formula 1 World Champion, Kimi Raikkonen, is remaining coy on his future within the sport, amid speculation regarding the Finn joining Red Bull in 2014 to replace Mark Webber. This would see him partner good friend Sebastian Vettel in the outfit, which could present the sport with a fearsome combination.

However, whilst Formula 1’s silly season swings into an unusually early motion, Kimi Raikkonen has remained his usual impassive self with regards to his future in Formula 1. Currently the 2007 World Champion is competing in his second season with Lotus, after he returned from rallying last year. Whilst Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has fanned the flames with regards to the rumors linking Raikkonen to Red Bull, Lotus owner Gerard Lopez fully believes the 33-year-old will remain with the Enstone-based outfit.

“Kimi’s position is going to be based on a bunch of things and not on what Red Bull say – I think they have their hands full right now.” Explained Gerard Lopez to Autosport after the Chinese Grand Prix. “As far as we are concerned, the relationship with Kimi is excellent. We are where we want to be, he is where he wants to be, and I can guarantee you that Kimi is not the sort of guy who is going to sign any sort of pre-contract. Not with anybody. If we keep giving him what he wants then I don’t see there is any reason for him to go anywhere. We are happy, so we don’t see any reason to replace him.”

Whereas the respective team owners seem rather vocal about whether or not Kimi Raikkonen would move from one team to another, the Finn himself has explained how he has not yet thought about his future in the sport. Kimi Raikkonen, who has finished in the points in every race since last year’s Chinese Grand Prix, believes the sport will see a significant change when the teams begin switching to the development on their 2014 cars.

“I haven’t thought about all that yet – I feel good here.” Said Kimi Raikkonen, in an exclusive interview with Formula1.com at the Bahrain Grand Prix. “But yes, there are many things that are undecided and there is still a long way to go this season, so let’s see how things unfold. We will see pretty significant changes when teams switch to their 2014 car development – and then it will be interesting to see what is going on. I have no contract for next year – that much is true. But further than that, I don’t want to discuss the matter. I want to do well this season and everything else will fall into place.”

So far Kimi Raikkonen has been regarded by many within the paddock as Mr. Consistency, finishing in the points at each of the opening four races. This streak of consistency for Kimi Raikkonen stretches as far back as the Chinese Grand Prix last year, and includes two race victories for Lotus. Already the Finn has been tipped as a title contender alongside the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, one of the many facts which will make him hot property on the driver market for 2014.

Picture Copyright © Lotus F1 Team