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Ferrari's Raikkonen insists he can still win F1 races and titles

Kimi Raikkonen says he would not have committed to a fresh Formula 1 deal with Ferrari if he did not believe he could still win races and championships

Ferrari confirmed earlier this week that it had extended Raikkonen's contract for a further season.

Raikkonen, who has not won a race since returning to the outfit in 2014, says he is still capable of being competitive and that he would walk away from F1 the moment he felt he could no longer race hard.

Why Ferrari persists with 'laggard' Raikkonen

When asked what aspect of F1 convinced him most to stay, the Finn said: "It's purely the racing.

"I enjoy the racing, and obviously I want to do well.

"If I didn't feel that I can go fast, and I wouldn't be happy in myself, I wouldn't be here.

"As long as I feel myself that I can win races and fight for championships then that is why. If I didn't feel that, I will be the first guy to do something else."

Raikkonen said he was not aware of the specific reasons behind Ferrari's decision to award him another contract.

"You have to ask them," he said.

"Honestly, the only thing I was interested in was to be here next year.

"I don't really care what the rest is thinking. The team feels the same way.

"What are the reasons? You have to go and ask them. What else can I say?"

Raikkonen said he hoped his team-mate Sebastian Vettel, whose contract with Ferrari comes to an end later this year, would also commit to a fresh deal with the outfit.

"We work very well together, as does the whole team," he said.

"It's a good way of working but obviously I am not the one who decides.

"I have no idea what will happen in this case. Hopefully it will stay as it is now."

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