Kimi Raikkonen has absolutely no thoughts of retiring at the end of the 2009
Formula 1 season – that is the view of
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali.
There have been suggestions the Finn is planning to hang up his helmet once his current contract with the
Scuderia expires, with countryman and 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg hinting last weekend that he could imagine Raikkonen calling it quits at the end of 2009 – when he will only just have turned 30.
As a result of his victory in Barcelona – which he described as the most perfect of his entire career – the defending title-winner has moved nine points clear of chief rival
Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 drivers' standings.
Should he wrap up a second consecutive crown, there are even rumours Raikkonen may try to break his contract with Maranello and walk away at the end of the current campaign. He has frequently re-iterated that he is undecided about what his plans will be beyond 2009.
Speaking to Swiss publication
Motorsport Aktuell, however, Domenicali rubbished such claims as ‘nonsense'.
“I have heard this rumour and there is not a gain of truth to it,” the Italian insisted. “Kimi is motivated from head to toe and I know he is not thinking of retiring.”
