Kimi Raikkonen has again dismissed suggestions he is ready to quit Formula One on a day when Fernando Alonso has denied having had any contact with Ferrari regarding a drive for next year.
The speculation relating to Raikkonen’s departure and Alonso’s potential appointment have long been aired.
However, they were fuelled recently when it was announced the 29-year-old Finn is to compete in his first World Rally Championship event later this month in his home country.
It appeared to be a further sign Raikkonen is growing increasingly disenchanted with life in F1, and is ready to walk away with a year still remaining on his current contract.
Despite that, the 2007 world champion today commented: “If I wasn’t interested in Formula One, I wouldn’t be here – I’m still here.
“For the future, I’ve always said I still have next year, and during next year I’ll see different options and see what will happen in the future.”
Showing signs of frustration at the rumours, he added: “It’s the same at every race. You (the media) ask and it’s the same thing.
“The answers haven’t changed. I have a contract. You’ll have to ask the team and see if they say something else, but I’m pretty sure they’ll say the same.”
As for double world champion Alonso, again enduring a difficult year with Renault, he definitively stated his position.
Asked if he had spoken to Ferrari, or if he had signed a deal with them – as has previously been mentioned – Alonso replied: “No, and no.”
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