Raikkonen weighs up 2011 options

Raikkonen weighs up 2011 options

Former Grand Prix Champion Kimi Raikkonen has to choose between a number of options for 2011 - both within rallying and Formula One.

Raikkonen has shown encouraging progress throughout his debut season in the World Rally Championship with Red Bull and the Citroen Junior Team, but his best result of the year so far remains fifth place on the Rally of Turkey back in April.

Now Raikkonen has been linked with other options for next year, both in rallying and Formula One. Neither Raikkonen nor Red Bull are ruling out an extension to the Finn’s one-year WRC deal with the Citroen Junior Team, although Red Bull’s plans are fluid pending confirmation of its sponsorship agreement with Citroen.

One intriguing possibility is for Raikkonen to switch energy drinks allegiance and move to the Monster World Rally Team alongside Ken Block next year in a Ford Fiesta WRC. Raikkonen and Block have struck up a good rapport, and Monster bosses believe that the maverick Raikkonen would fit their brand image perfectly.

Raikkonen has also had an approach from MINI, although his drive there would be a commercial deal - which could again be linked to Red Bull.

Renault’s Formula One team is additionally in discussion with the 30-year-old about his services for next year, with the French squad being Raikkonen’s only realistic option on the F1 grid next year.

Finally, a third possibility exists of Raikkonen either taking a sabbatical or retiring from motorsport totally - as he considered at this time last year when his future was uncertain.

Nonetheless the Finn says that he is no hurry to make up his mind - and that his preferred option would be to stay in the World Rally Championship. “I’m enjoying it so far, but I’ve not made up my mind what I’m doing yet,” said Raikkonen. “Quite soon I hope I will know but there is no rush.”

Fonte: wrc.com/Dica:Luieluv

Uau! Kimi e Ken Block em uma equipe seria bacana! E olha o que respondi para o Fábio na pergunta que ele me fez no último podcast pelo mural sendo comentado pela matéria, uma aposentadoria...Fiquei tensa, porque achei que só eu tinha considerado isto!!! Enfim, let's wait and see!

Beijinhos, Ice-Ludy