As reported by Reuters, Kimi Raikkonen, who won a world championship with Ferrari in 2007 is in contract talks with Citroen WRC team. The news was reported on the official wrc.com website last Friday. The report stated that nothing official has been signed or agreed upon and no announcement has been made by either party. Energy drink company Red Bull, sponsor of the Citroen team have close links to Formula 1 having their own F1 team. Citroen could offer Kimi one of the most competitive cars in the championship with Frenchman Sebastien Loeb winning the world title for six consecutive years including the most recent.

Raikkonen has come out to deny the allegations of him having had talks with Mercedes. There are however conflicting reports in the media. “When asked about the reported Mercedes GP link, Raikkonen added: “No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved.” Former Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was reported to have signed a one year contract with Mercedes F1, formerly knows as Brawn GP before Mercedes bought a majority share in the team. A news report in Brazilian newspaper ‘globoesporte’ stated that Kimi had signed a one year deal with Mercedes F1.

Former Ferrari man, and Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, News comes from Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson that talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010 have failed. Raikkonen who was released from his Ferrari contract this year; with Ferrari taking the services of Fernando Alonso, said that his only option to continue in the sport would be to sign a contract with his once employer McLaren which would according to him, “guarantee a competitive car”.

Though Fernando Alonso’s contract whith Renault doesn’t expire until the end of the year, the checkered flag at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix effectively mark the end of Fernando’s active participation with the Renault team.

Fernando is bound to the Scuderia for the 2010 season. When asked about his confidence about joining Ferrari after such a lackluster year for the team; Ferrari failing to secure 3rd in the Formula 1 Constructors’ championship. Alonso replied.

After 52 Grand Prix, 26 podiums which include 9 race wins, 15 fastest laps and 5 pole positions, it is time to say ‘Arrivederci’ or in Kimi’s case ‘Näkemiin’ to Kimi Räikkönen.

It only seems like yesterday that it was Monza 2006 and it was announced that Kimi would replace Michael at Ferrari. During his time with the scuderia, he won the 2007 World Drivers Championship and helped Ferrari win the World Constructors’ Championship in 2007 and 2008.

From Cat, (FerrariF1Forum member)

Scuderia Ferrari are set for a difficult race in Abu Dhabi, scheduled to start in just a matter of hours. Ferrari looking to win the 3rd place in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship are starting the GP in 11th (Kimi Raikkonen) and 20th (Giancarlo Fisichella). On the other hand their rivals for 3rd place in the F1 WCC will start from Pole (Luis Hamilton) and 18th (Heikki Kovalainen) despite a gearbox change on the Finn’s McLaren.

Kimi Raikkonen revealed that McLaren is his only option if he is to remain in F1. As of right now, Raikkonen is without a confirmed race-seat for next year’s Championship having agreed to part ways with Ferrari a year earlier than expected. It is believed that Raikkonen’s price tag is a bit to steep for many to swallow.

Toyota have made attempts at securing Raikkonen for a drive next year, the former World Champ, Raikkonen says he’s only interested in racing for McLaren.

“Toyota has not even been discussed,” Raikkonen told Finland’s MTV3. “If I want to drive (F1) cars, then McLaren in the only option. I should know the situation in the next few days.”

The Finn, in Thursday’s Abu Dhabi press conference confirmed the speculation that rallying is a serious possibility should negotiations with McLaren not go to plan.

Kimi Raikkonen is setting a personal goal of ending his 3 year carrer at Ferrari on a high, providing a good result for the Maranello based team.

“We’ll try to conclude this difficult year with a good result, hoping that it will be enough to gain the third place in the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren took over in Brazil. It will be difficult, because the competition is very strong.”
“Furthermore in Brazil the two titles have been assigned, so maybe there are certain drivers who will risk a little bit more, as everything has been decided already. Our direct competitors are still improving their car, while we have been using the same car since the race in Hungary at the end of July.”

In what was viewed by many as a warning directed at Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug says McLaren are not willing to sign a driver for big bucks just because of who his name.

With the season coming to a close at this weekend at Abu Dhabi and the driver shuffle speculation at their usual end of the season high , several drivers have been linked to McLaren to replacing the under-performing Heikki Kovalainen.

“Kimi is an option, but there are lots of options around,” Haug told Autosport. “One thing is for sure though – guys who are out for money are not the right ones for us – whoever it may be.