Red Bull boss quashes Raikkonen rumours
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has quashed speculation that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen could make a Formula One comeback next year with the Austrian team.
Raikkonen quit the sport in favour of the World Rally Championship at the end of last season, after being replaced at Ferrari by Fernando Alonso.
But last week reports in the German media suggested that the Finn could make a sensational return if current Red Bull driver Mark Webber decides to retire from F1 at the end of the year.
"This is nothing more than pure speculation," Mateschitz told Autosport. "To tell you now that Kimi will be racing for us in 2011 is not serious."
Raikkonen has strong ties with Red Bull in the WRC, in which he drives for Citroen's junior team. "We do not know what Kimi intends to do in one year," Mateschitz continued.
"We have a very good relationship which makes room for speculations."
There were reports towards the start of 2009 that Mark Webber's relationship within the team had begun to fray, as younger team-mate Sebastian Vettel enjoyed a rapid start to the season.
However the Australian went on to win his first race at the German Grand Prix, en route to finishing fourth in the championship.
Image source: f1.com
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has quashed speculation that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen could make a Formula One comeback next year with the Austrian team.
Raikkonen quit the sport in favour of the World Rally Championship at the end of last season, after being replaced at Ferrari by Fernando Alonso.
But last week reports in the German media suggested that the Finn could make a sensational return if current Red Bull driver Mark Webber decides to retire from F1 at the end of the year.
"This is nothing more than pure speculation," Mateschitz told Autosport. "To tell you now that Kimi will be racing for us in 2011 is not serious."
Raikkonen has strong ties with Red Bull in the WRC, in which he drives for Citroen's junior team. "We do not know what Kimi intends to do in one year," Mateschitz continued.
"We have a very good relationship which makes room for speculations."
There were reports towards the start of 2009 that Mark Webber's relationship within the team had begun to fray, as younger team-mate Sebastian Vettel enjoyed a rapid start to the season.
However the Australian went on to win his first race at the German Grand Prix, en route to finishing fourth in the championship.
Image source: f1.com
