Raikkonen wants top drive for 2011

Ahead of his likely sabbatical in 2010, Raikkonen said that his decision to take a year out came about because he could not agree terms with McLaren over a race deal - and that he will not come back at all if he cannot secure a top-line drive.

"I felt McLaren offered the best opportunity to win races and challenge for the drivers' championship and if that would not work the one-year break is the result," he told the official Formula 1 website. "And to be honest, I will only return in 2011 if a competitive drive is available."

He added: "I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But there's a lot of time until then, so let's wait and see what happens in the months ahead."

Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that the Finn was ready to consider a Mercedes GP drive if the team could prove it would be competitive in 2010 - although Raikkonen himself has said that there has been no contact yet.

"No, I have not held talks with Brawn," he said. "I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved."

And Raikkonen has reiterated that he has the desire to return to F1 and achieve more success.

"I have enjoyed my time in F1 and I still have ambitions. In the right circumstances I am very keen to return. The door is open. Let's see what the future brings."