Kimi Räikkönen could return to Formula One next year
A few weeks ago, Kimi Räikkönen hinted he may never return to Formula One, but now the Finn has had a change of heart.
Räikkönen has contacted Renault with a view to driving for them next season. The 2007 world champion swapped Formula One for rallying this season after he was released a year early from his Ferrari contract.
Räikkönen was set to stay in rallying for 2011, but Renault have confirmed he has been in touch with the French manufacturer. “It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Räikkönen] is on the radar now,” said Renault team principal Eric Boullier. “He is on the radar because he contacted us.”
Robert Kubica has been carrying Renault this season, with sterling performances at Monaco and Belgium. Kubica’s teammate Vitaly Petrov however has struggled, and should he go, the door would be open for Räikkönen.
Formula One rookie Petrov hopes he has done enough to convince Renault to keep him, and Boullier has said the Russian is close to retaining his seat beyond this season. “He is not very far away to be honest.
“It is still very complicated for him to have a complete weekend and be faultless, and that is where he needs to work and focus on, and develop clearly his commitment and dedication,” said Boullier.
“We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option. But there are several other options, and one of them is Kimi,” he added.
Räikkönen couldn’t secure a seat at McLaren for this season, but he could very well be back in Formula One next year as the partner for Kubica.
Tags: