Kimi Raikkonen likely to leave F1 when Ferrari deal ends after 2015
Kimi Raikkonen is likely to retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2015, when his current deal with Ferrari runs out
The 2007 world champion, who made his F1 debut with Sauber in '01, returned to Ferrari this year, after spending two years in the World Rally Championship and two with Lotus since leaving the team at the end of '09.
He signed a two-year deal to partner Fernando Alonso, and speaking ahead of the British Grand Prix on Thursday, he told reporters that he is unlikely to continue in F1 beyond that contract.
When asked what his plans were for the future, and if he saw himself at Ferrari for the long term, Raikkonen said: "Until my contract is finished, and then I will probably stop.
"That is what I think is going to happen."
Raikkonen said that he enjoyed taking in other disciplines such as rallying, and he is always keen to do other things alongside racing in F1.
"I tried many things and I think there is no harm in it," he said. "It doesn't take anything from me doing F1.
"I think it can only help. You always learn if you try different things.
"The teams are scared that we get hurt. In the past when I was in Ferrari I could not do rallies.
"It would be nice not just for us but for the fans [if we could] do many things."
When asked if being given that sort of flexibility would convince him to stay in F1 for longer, Raikkonen added: "No, I don't think so.
"Doing something else makes no difference about F1 and my future right now."
Raikkonen's Formula 1 career
2001: Scores a point on his debut with Sauber, and goes on to finish 10th in the championship.
2002: His rookie form earns him a move to McLaren to replace Mika Hakkinen, and he nearly wins the French GP en route to finishing sixth in the standings.
2003: Narrowly misses out on the world championship to Michael Schumacher, despite only taking one victory, in the Malaysian GP.
2004: Wins one race late in the year after McLaren struggles until introducing a B-spec version of its MP4-19 mid-season.
2005: Takes seven wins, but reliability woes prevent him from challenging Fernando Alonso for the title and he has to settle for second.
2006: Finishes fifth in the standings as McLaren endures its first winless season since 1996, but he does manage to take three pole positions.
2007: Switches to Ferrari and wins his first race, before going on to win the world championship at the expense of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Alonso.
2008: Only takes two victories on his way to third in the standings, as team-mate Felipe Massa runs Hamilton close in the title race.
2009: Takes Ferrari's only victory of a difficult season at Spa, before agreeing to end his deal with the team early as it makes room for Fernando Alonso.
2012: After two years in the WRC, Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus, winning the Abu Dhabi GP and finishing third in the championship.
2013: Wins the season-opener in Australia, before parting with Lotus two races early to undergo back surgery, following a dispute with the team over not being paid.
2014: Returns to Ferrari to partner Alonso, sitting 12th in the drivers' championship after the first eight races of the year.
Previous article
Caterham F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi believes his drive is safe
Next article
Ferrari F1 team must watch out for midfielders - Fernando Alonso
The figures Red Bull and Mercedes can't afford to see again in F1 2021
OPINION: An interloper squad got amongst the title contenders during Formula 1’s street-circuit mini-break, where Red Bull left with the points lead in both championships. But, as the campaign heads back to purpose-built venues once again, how the drivers of the two top teams compare in one crucial area will be a major factor in deciding which squad stays in or retakes the top spot
Why Alfa's boss is ready for the task of securing a stronger F1 future
Two tenth places in recent races have lifted Alfa Romeo to the head of Formula 1's 'Class C' battle in 2021, but longer-term the Swiss-based squad has far loftier ambitions. With the new 2022 rules set to level out the playing field, team boss Frederic Vasseur has good reason to be optimistic, as he explained to Autosport in an exclusive interview
How Barnard’s revolutionary McLaren transformed F1 car construction
The MP4/1 was pioneering by choice, but a McLaren by chance. STUART CODLING relates the tangled (carbonfibre) weaves which led to the creation of one of motor racing’s defining cars
Why the end is nigh for F1’s most dependable design tool
Windtunnel work forms the bedrock of aerodynamic development in Formula 1. But as PAT SYMONDS explains, advances in virtual research are signalling the end of these expensive and complicated relics
Why polarising Mosley’s legacy amounts to far more than tabloid rumour
The newspapers, naturally, lingered over Max Mosley’s tainted family history and niche sexual practices. But this is to trivialise the legacy of a big beast of motor racing politics. STUART CODLING weighs the life of a man whose work for safety on both road and track has saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but whose penchant for cruelty remains problematic and polarising
Why pragmatic Perez isn't fazed by no-nonsense Red Bull F1 culture
Sergio Perez has spent most of his career labouring in Formula 1’s midfield, wondering whether he’d ever get another shot at the big time. Red Bull has handed him that chance and, although life at the top is tough, the Baku winner is doing all the right things to get on terms with Max Verstappen, says BEN ANDERSON
What the data tells us about the F1 2021 title fight
Formula 1 has been tracking car performance using timing loops mounted every 200m around each circuit – to the extent that it was able to anticipate Ferrari’s 'surprise’ pole in Monaco. PAT SYMONDS explains what this means for this season and beyond
The weighty issue F1 needs to find a balance with
OPINION: After consecutive street races with contrasting highlights, one theme stood out which has become a prevalent issue with modern Formula 1 cars. But is there a way to solve it or, at least, reach a happy middle ground to help all parties?
