German media reports on Tuesday said that Kimi Raikkonen’s move from McLaren-Mercedes to Ferrari in the new year has been finalised.
Bild newspaper quotes an unnamed ”McLaren insider” as saying that the Finn has made up his mind — in favour of Ferrari.
Although Raikkonen has given McLaren an undertaking that he will inform them by midyear where he will be driving next year, the report said that he had already decided.
Rumours that Raikkonen has already signed a pre-contract with Ferrari have been circulating for months, but have been denied by both parties.
If Raikkonen joins Ferrari, he could become the teammate of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who himself has said that he will decide whether to continue driving by midyear.
If he decides to extend his career, it is almost certain that he will do so with Ferrari.
He has always said that he would only do so if he has a competitive car, but after Sunday’s second place in the Bahrain Grand Prix, there seems to be little doubt that that is the case this year.
Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber, however, said at the Bahrain Grand Prix that although the timetable had not changed, he had made an arrangement to discuss the issue with Ferrari.
”There will be no announcements before summer. But it is clear that positive results, like the one in Bahrain, will have a positive effect on any discussions,” he told Bild.
Meanwhile, Bahrain winner Fernando Alonso has said that he is confident that he can successfully defend his world title. ”I am not worried at all. We have the right people and the right car to compete at the top throughout the season.” — Sapa-DPA