Raikkonen to retire after 2009 – reports
Hot on the heels of strong speculation that Fernando Alonso has penned a Ferrari agreement for 2010, it was rumored last week that the Italian team's current star driver might not intend to pen another contract.
Raikkonen, 28, confirmed in a news conference in Montreal on Thursday that he has not decided what he is going to do beyond next year.
"I don't know what is going to happen, I haven't made my mind up," the Finn said.
"Maybe I will make my decision this year."
The speculative reports last week cited a friend who relayed that Raikkonen "loves the driving and hates everything else about formula one".
The Ferrari driver said in Canada: "I wouldn't stop if I felt I would miss it afterwards. For sure I would find something else to do and maybe I would enjoy that more.
"When there are too many things you don't enjoy it is time to go away."
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| Kimi Raikkonen |
05/30/08 (GMM) Hot on the heels of strong speculation that Fernando Alonso has penned a Ferrari agreement for 2010, it is being rumored again that the Italian team's current star driver Kimi Raikkonen could be soon to retire.
The reports, suggesting that the 28-year-old reigning world champion will not renew his contract beyond next year, appeared on Friday in the German language newspapers 'Rheinischen Post' and 'TZ'.
Rheinischen Post claims that Raikkonen, the laconic Finn, told some friends at a party recently that he does not intend to spend much longer as a grand prix racer.
"Kimi loves the driving and hates everything else about formula one," one of Raikkonen's apparent friend is quoted as telling TZ.
"The public appearances, the life under the spotlight — he doesn't have the desire anymore," the unnamed friend reportedly added.