Raikkonen Undecided on McLaren Future

The Finn's contract with the Woking-based team is believed to run out at the end of next year, and although he has made it clear he is happy with most aspects of life at McLaren, he is far from pleased about the team's reliability record.

His comments come after a disastrous run of mechanical problems. He suffered engine failures in practice for the French and British Grands Prix and then retired from the lead of the German event last weekend with hydraulic problems.

That run has effectively cost him any realistic chance of the World Championship this year - and he admits has made him consider his long-term future at the outfit.

"I still have a contract for next year and concerning my future, I don't really know what is happening," said Raikkonen ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I have not made my mind up. Maybe I stay with them, because I am happy with all the people there, even if we have had some difficult times. We need to work in a better way just make sure that the car is very reliable.

"I think the speed of the car is very good so once we get everything else sorted, I think I will be more than happy to stay."

Raikkonen has been often linked with a move to Ferrari, perhaps as an eventual replacement for Michael Schumacher. Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt has regularly praised the skills of the young Finn.

Last year, Todt told F1 Racing that Raikkonen may be the ideal man to step into Schumacher's shoes.

"When the time comes I'll decide to go for a certain guy and that might be Kimi," said Todt referring to life after Schumacher. "Then again it might not be. I like Kimi. He's quick, naturally talented. He doesn't make wild statements. He doesn't try to raise his profile. I like that.

"And in my rally career I had a lot of contact with Finnish drivers, so I know them very well. I like Kimi's style but for the moment it's really only from a spectator's point of view."

After the disaster at Hockenheim, which has put him 36 points behind Fernando Alonso in the title chase, Raikkonen knows that only bad luck on his Renault rival's part will put him back into contention for a shout at the world championship.

"We are slipping away a little bit too much now," he said. "We still have a chance but I think we have to be realistic, so it is not there without any problems to anyone else."