Renault targeting McLaren’s Raikkonen

Renault have today spelled out their determination to lure Kimi Raikkonen away from McLaren.

The world champions will lose Fernando Alonso to McLaren next season but are keen to replace him with the Finn, who is also heavily linked to Ferrari.

Team president Alain Dassas told Gazzetta dello Sport: “It is no secret that Raikkonen is our priority for 2007. We are speaking with Raikkonen about a contract.

“If we could find an agreement we’d be very satisfied because that would mean we brought to our team one of the best drivers, who is also very young and can improve further.”

Giancarlo Fisichella has already signed to stay at Renault, while test driver Heikki Kovalainen is poised to step up should they fail to sign Raikkonen.