Raikkonen has ‘zero interest’ discussing 'nonsense' about F1 future

Kimi Raikkonen says he has “zero interest” in getting involved with “nonsense” speculation surrounding his future in Formula 1. 

The Finn’s contract with Ferrari is set to expire at the end of this season, with rumours intensifying in recent weeks that he could be replaced at the Italian team by Sauber’s Charles Leclerc, following the Scuderia protege’s impressive start to his rookie campaign.

Several reports emerging this week linked Raikkonen with a return to McLaren, should Fernando Alonso decide not to continue with the Woking-based squad in 2019. 

But Raikkonen refused to be drawn on the subject of his future when he faced the media during Thursday’s drivers’ press conference ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. 

When asked if he had been in contact with McLaren about a possible move back to the team he spent five seasons at between 2002 and 2006, he replied: “I spoke to them a lot in past when I was there but I have zero interest to get involved in all the nonsense in my view.

"You would like to know, would you? You can take it how you want. I don't really think you ask our opinions on a lot of things you write anyway. It goes either way, you can put it yes or no. You usually write what you decide to, whether it's true or not."

Raikkonen, who has previously said he would be happy to end his F1 career at Ferrari, added the situation regarding his future is being dealt with in the same way as previous years.

“It’s the same as always every year. I said in 2007 I think it was that I’d finish with Ferrari and then at some point it didn’t look like that and now it looks like it again. You never know what comes but we will see as always. 

“I’ve been in the situation many times, we will know for sure before next year but it’s a pretty normal situation from my side. There’s a lot of talk and I don’t need to comment on those, everyone will see at some point what happens. Let’s wait and see.”

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