Raikkonen drops hint

Kimi Raikkonen has yet to decide where to drive next year but hinted he will only consider leaving McLaren for Ferrari or Renault.

The Finn is out of contract at the end of this year and is widely tipped to quit McLaren-Mercedes and head for Ferrari.

But Ferrari’s recent dip in form has made that move look less attractive and Raikkonen is adamant he has yet to make a decision, revealing Renault could remain an option.

He said: “In the end there are not many different positions where I would go. I don’t think it will be a big surprise whatever I decide.

“There are only really three teams these last two years who have been capable. It will be a top team so I don’t think it will be difficult to decide.

“I will decided where I will have the best car but you can never know that, you just have to hope you will make the right decision. I just have to make sure I have a good feeling in the team.”

Raikkonen played down the effect on his plans of Fernando Alonso’s imminent arrival at McLaren, claiming he was indifferent to news of his great rival signing for 2007 onwards.

“It does not change anything that I do in the coming years,” he added. “I was out with my friends when Ron Dennis told me, I wasn’t too interested in the whole thing.”

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug remains hopeful his star driver “is open” to staying at McLaren but fears more than one rival team is ready to poach Raikkonen.

Renault need a top-line replacement for Alonso and, Raikkonen aside, there is little in the way of world-class alternatives.

Haug said: “I think Kimi knows it would not have been the wisest decision to go to Ferrari for last year. I am sure other people are trying to get him – it is not only Ferrari.

“Luca di Montezemolo has stated nothing is signed or fixed, as have Kimi’s management. I believe them.”

Haug still hopes to hang on to Raikkonen, who is considering leaving after five seasons with McLaren and no world titles, and called on the team to give the 26-year-old hope of future success.

“He knows what he has within the team and we will see how things are developing,” Haug added.

“One thing is for sure, every success and every sign we are heading in the right direction is helping.”

A world championship win would go a long way to convincing Raikkonen to stay at McLaren and Haug believes that is still not out of the question this season, despite a low-key start.

Raikkonen trails Alonso by 18 points in the championship after four races, having failed to mount any significant victory challenge, but Haug is not worrying just yet.

He said: “Anything can happen in Formula One. Not wishing bad luck on others but sometimes you have winning streaks and other time when you find yourself struggling.

“It can look quite different after this weekend. There are lots of points to score and we will improve our performance that is for sure.”

Raikkonen shares that sense of optimism as he prepares for this weekend’s European Grand Prix on Mercedes’ home ground at the Nurburgring.

“We are not happy in this position we want to be in a position to win races,” he said. “We will just do the best we possibly can and hopefully we can improve.

“There are not many races done, so many things can happen. There’s nothing to worry about.”