No decision for next year says Kimi

Mark Webber’s announcement that he is set to retire from Formula One has thrown Kimi Raikkonen’s future into the spotlight.

The 2007 Formula One World Champion had already been linked with a possible move to Red Bull following the very public falling out that Webber had with team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull bosses following the Malaysian Grand Prix, where triple world champion Vettel ignored team orders and raced Webber for the victory.

Now following the Australian’s announcement that he will leave F1 for sportscars next season, there is set to be a lot of speculation in regards to who will take Webber’s seat at Red Bull.

Toro Rosso drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are obvious contenders having been part of the Red Bull young driver programme and the team are desperate to see someone following in the same footsteps as Vettel.

However Kimi Raikkonen is also in the frame, is known to be a big favourite amongst Red Bull bosses and was even sponsored by the energy drinks company during his time in rallying.

The Finn is also out-of-contract with Lotus come the end of the 2013 season, leaving him free to talk to other teams about his future.

‘I have not made any decision for next year. I can do whatever I want because I don’t have a contract.’ Raikkonen told the BBC.

Discussing the possibility that he may have to choose between either sticking with Lotus or moving to Red Bull in 2014 he added: ‘It’s never easy. It’s not the first time that there are different options on the table, then you take the one that you think is right for you at the moment. It’s hard to say if it’s the right or wrong decision, but then you have to live with it, whatever it is.’

‘I have no problems racing with anybody [asked about being a team-mate to Sebastian Vettel]. I’ve never been in a position to choose who I drive with, so it doesn’t change anything.’