Kimi Raikkonen says speculation will not hurry F1 future decision
Kimi Raikkonen says he is not at all surprised that his Formula 1 future is the subject of fervent speculation, but that will not make him hurry his decision over whether to stay at Lotus or move elsewhere
The Finn is currently second in the world championship, and is one of the few top drivers out of contract at the end of the season.
Raikkonen has already been linked to the Red Bull seat currently occupied by Mark Webber.
"There are not many top, top drivers that have no contract [for 2014]," said Raikkonen.
"I am probably the only one of those and there are some contracts that will end next year. I don't have a contract, so it is normal [speculation] happens.
"Even if you have a contract the rumours will still go on and it is a very normal situation for F1.
"It is not me or my management that will create the stories, it comes from the other side of the table.
"I am not in a hurry. If I was desperate for a contract I would have already tried to sign it last year.
"I would rather do my work well and if I do well I am sure I will get the contract I want."
The 2007 world champion imagines that doing a deal with Lotus will be very straightforward if he opts to stay put.
"I am sure if we want to make a contract in the end together it will be very easy and not a painful way of doing it," Raikkonen said.
"It just involves certain details to get right and that is it.
"I don't really think we have to sit down every day and discuss it because it is not going to change, the decision has to come from me and I have not made any decision."
Raikkonen underlined that right now, everything from a team switch to leaving F1 again was an option, as he was a long way from securing any firm deal.
"I am sure there are some options. It is no secret," he said.
"But there is an option that I don't drive anything because right now I have no options, I don't have a contract. I have nothing.
"When I know what will happen I will tell and it is as simple as that, but I am sure it is not going to be the next race or the race after that.
"It will take time whatever the decision."
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