Raikkonen may never return to F1

UPDATE #2 Raikkonen may not come back to F1 by his own admission. In a recent interview with AutoSport magazine, he is quoted as saying that the reasons for his being hustled out the door at Ferrari probably had more to do with Santander wanting the Spaniard. As for his current foray into rallying, it is a place he can drive without taking a penalty to his big paycheck guaranteed by Ferrari. If Kimi raced for another F1 team, he would get less from the Ferrari guarantee, so whatever contract he signed would have had to make up that difference at least, in his eyes. Apparently the offers on the table were not enough for that, even though he says it was not about the money.

As for the likelihood that he will return to F1, Kimi seems complacent, "…Maybe I'll come back [to F1] next year or the year after. Or maybe not…"

Well with a statement like that, can you blame anyone for not wanting to pay big bucks for him?

12/14/09 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen's manager has denied that talks about the Finn returning to formula one with Red Bull in 2011 are already taking place.

With funding from the energy drink company, the 2007 world champion has signed a one-year deal with Citroen for the full World Rally Championship next year.

And with Sebastian Vettel signed long-term to the Austrian outfit, rumors have suggested that Raikkonen could replace Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing in 2011.

"At this moment there are no negotiations with any teams," the 30-year-old's manager Steve Robertson is quoted as saying by the Dutch website 4mule1.net.

He added: "Currently Kimi is leaving his future open and not making any decisions."

12/07/09 (GMM) The door is open to Kimi Raikkonen's signing with Citroen in 2010 to becoming more than a temporary sabbatical from formula one.

Olivier Quesnel, boss of the 30-year-old Finn's new employer, confirmed reports that the 2007 world champion is committed only for next year.

But the Citroen World Rally Team chief told France's Auto Hebdo: "We are not asking for the impossible for a first season, but it is clear that if he progresses and shows the right level then he could slot into the first team (in 2011)."

Quesnel is referring to the fact that Raikkonen, who won 18 grands prix from his 9 full seasons in F1, will drive for Citroen's junior team next year, as opposed to the premier outfit featuring multiple and reigning WRC champion Sebastien Loeb.

He added that if Raikkonen does not enjoy or thrive over a full season of rallying, "maybe he returns to F1". We say once he's out of F1 for 2 years he will never return.