Kimi could quit end of 2009 season

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Thursday 5th June 2008

Kimi Raikkonen has admitted that rumours that he could quit F1 at the end of his current Ferrari deal are not rumours - it is true.

The reigning F1 World Champion has long been rumoured to want out of F1, oftening stating in the past that he was not looking to break either Michael Schumacher's records or become the longest serving driver in F1.

This led to reports that Raikkonen could in fact quit at the end of his current Ferrari contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Asked about this during Thursday's press conference in Montreal, Raikkonen did little to stop the tifosi from worries that the Scuderia could soon lose their star driver.

"There has been rumours like that many years," Raikkonen said with regards to rumours he could retire at the end of next season. "I always say I have a contract until the end of next year.

"I haven't made any decision if I'm going to keep going or not. That is the last contract I have and we will see what happens this year and next year."

As for what could persuade Raikkonen to sign another contract, the 28-year-old says he'll only stick around if he's still enjoying the racing.

"I wouldn't stop if I felt I would miss it afterwards. For sure I would find something else to do and maybe that I would enjoy more," he said.

"I don't know what is going to happen after next year, I haven't made my mind up. Who knows maybe I make my decision this year.

"I think I will race as long as I enjoy it, it is the right thing for me. It could be in four years' time. It is too early to say."

However, the Ferrari driver admits that there are also things in F1 that could persuade him not to re-sign.

"I like the racing but the other stuff is not always the best thing," he said. "Everyone in F1 is here because they love racing and driving, but when there are too many things that you don't enjoy or too many things you don't want it is time to go away.

"It can be anything. When you find something you don't want to do or don't enjoy... If there are things like that or don't work out anymore. There can be many things apart from racing, then probably it is the best time to go away."