Raikkonen to end career at Ferrari

[Wizzo]

Kimi Raikkonen suspects that he will never again be a feature of the formula one driver market.

Kimi told a Spanish newspaper that he will more than likely end his career with Ferrari, either at the close of the 2009 season, or beyond.

"I see no reason to leave this team," Raikkonen told Marca at the Valencia tests this week.

He said: "I have two years remaining on my contract, but in any case I believe that, whatever happens, this will be my last team."

Raikkonen suggested that he does not fear life after formula one.

"The one certainty is that one day I will feel the need to do something else. I would do a few rallies maybe, or something else - I don't know. I will do what I want, basically," he explained.

He refused to speculate as to when his retirement might beckon.

"I have no idea," said Raikkonen. "For the moment I am here and I have no intention to change that.

"When I end my contract with Ferrari I will be 30 years old, and it will be the time to decide whether to keep going or not."

[John S]

Sounds like he feels this year's championship is slipping away from him, it's a little bit early to be throwing in the towel though!

[Steven Roy]

Raikkonen has always said he would retire young from F1.  Alonso signing for Ferrari would make a lot more sense if Kimi is retiring.  Of course it could just be Kimi doing a Max.  Saying he doesn't know if he will sign on again so that the team will stroke his ego and pay him even more money to stay.

[Alianora La Canta]

Kimi's been quite consistent in that he's always said he'll only do F! as long as he's finding it fun. In fact, by not retiring immediately after the FIA confirmed his first championship, he's already stayed longer than he predicted during the McLaren days. He's probably just reiterating his "I'll do F1 if it's fun" philosophy.

After F1, I can see him doing all sorts of wild and wonderful motor sports, just so that he can chase thrills.