Ferrari won't rule out Raikkonen move
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has left the door open for Kimi Raikkonen to join the former world champions.
Di Montezemolo hailed the Finn, currently at McLaren, as one of Formula One’s top drivers, alongside Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
Ferrari are waiting for Michael Schumacher to decide whether to retire, extend his contract or join a rival team when his contract expires this year.
Raikkonen is widely rumoured to have already agreed a deal with Ferrari and, even though he denied any personal contact with the Finn, di Montezemolo stopped well short of ruling out a move.
He said: “I haven’t had any kind of contact unfortunaely with a fantastic driver like Kimi Raikkonen. If somebody at Ferrari has done something, for sure I will not tell you.”
Di Montezemolo showered praise on the McLaren driver, adding: “Raikkonen is youg, he’s quick, he’s tough, he’s one of the three best drivers in Formula One.
“He’s with McLaren, I hope he will not be too successful. Next year I really don’t know – we will see.”
Di Montezemolo also predicted a decision will be taken on Schumacher’s future within the next few weeks and claimed Formula One’s most successful driver still has what it takes to win.
He added: “Michael has no pressure from us he knows that if he will continue we will be extremely pleased and ready.
“If not, and only Michael can decide, we will be sad but we know that in life the end comes for all of us.
“I think that Michael will not wait too long and in the next weeks, now we are back from long trips, he will be in touch with us.
“Michael is fit, strong and concentrated. He is as always looking at the details.
“I hope that he will continue, I’m sure if he continues he will be competitive. But I cannot put a gun to his head, we will wait.”
