From Crash.net McLaren-Mercedes driver, Kimi Raikkonen has confirmed that he will be 'more than happy to stay' with the Woking based squad, when his current contract expires at the end of next year. Speaking during Thursday's FIA press conference at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 'ice-man' added though that the team need to work on reliability - no doubt due to the fact he has suffered technical problems in all three of the last events and in Germany last weekend lost the win due to a hydraulics failure. "I still have a contract for next year and concerning my future, I don't really know what is happening," he told journalists when asked about if he might leave McLaren at the end of 2006. "I have not made my mind up. Maybe I stay with them, because I am happy with all the people there, even if we have had some difficult times. We need to work in a better way just make sure that the car is very reliable. I think the speed of the car is very good so once we get everything else sorted, I think I will be more than happy to stay." As for winning the championship this year though, Kimi conceded that things are not looking good, especially now that Fernando Alonso has a 36 point advantage with seven races to go. "We are slipping away a little bit too much now [in terms of battling with Alonso for the title]," he added. "We still have a chance but I think we have to be realistic, so it is not there without any problems to anyone else..."
I can see Kimi being with McLaren for a number of years. And why not? They are definitely a top team, without most of the political BS that goes on at other teams. Personally if I were him I would not want to drive at Ferrari so long as MS and Todt are there.
I think there are serious problems between Kimi and Ron Dennis. You can look at the body language on the podium and the interviews. The whole situation depends upon how McLaren performs in 2006. If Kimi wins the Championship with McLaren he will renew his contract. If Kimi cannot win the Championship due to McLaren reliability, I see him coming to Ferrari in 2007.
Why would he even want to? McLaren is currently faster than Ferrari and that doesn't seem like it gonna change till next year at earliest. Who knows what kind of shape they will be in then. The scuderia has been so great mainly because of MS and the old Benetton team that they bought so who knows what will happen after that. Maybe they will try to buy McLaren.
Yes, Kimi would like a car that lasts an entire race and Ron would like him to keep his "winky" in his pants.
