He says a deal is not done, but Kimi Raikkonen has finally admitted talking to Williams about possibly returning to formula one next year.<\/p>\n
Amid intensifying speculation about the 2007 world champion’s plans, Williams co-owner Toto Wolff confirmed last week that the talks with former McLaren and Ferrari race winner Raikkonen about next season are “serious”.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the last world rally round of 2011 in Wales, Raikkonen on Wednesday finally admitted the same.<\/p>\n
“We have been talking with them (Williams),” the 32-year-old is quoted by Finland’s Turun Sanomat, “but I do not have any agreement in any direction.<\/p>\n
“Nothing has changed,” added Raikkonen, referring to the last time he insisted he is not sure what he is going to do next year.<\/p>\n
After leaving F1 at the end of 2009, Raikkonen has raced almost full time in world rally, also dabbling in the world of NASCAR.<\/p>\n
“It’s been fun and, compared to where I started, I have developed a lot,” he said, referring to rallying.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t expecting anything even though I always try to go as fast as I could.\u00a0 Sometimes the results were good, sometimes not so good.”<\/p>\n
With Michael Schumacher having struggled to readjust after a three-year sabbatical, Raikkonen played down the challenge of coming back to F1.<\/p>\n
“It is the thing I have done most of my life.\u00a0 Much more challenging would be to try to do something else,” he said.<\/p>\n
And the winner of 18 grands prix also does not think F1 has changed too much since 2009.<\/p>\n
“From what you can see on TV, no.\u00a0 The main difference is the tyres,” he said.<\/p>\n
Kaj Lindstrom, Raikkonen’s recent co-driver, would like to see the Finn keep rallying.<\/p>\n
“He will make his own decision but it would be interesting to see how far he can go in the rally,” he said.\u00a0 “The only way to develop is to drive.<\/p>\n
“I said at the start that this is a four-year project if you want to get to the top,” added Lindstrom.<\/p>\n
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