Finn has signed a contract extension to stay at Ferrari for 2018
Monday 28 August 2017 08:23, UK
Kimi Raikkonen says he would have retired from Formula 1 if he didn't still believe he could be a race and title winner.
The Finn, who last won an F1 grand prix in 2013 and his only world championship in 2007, has signed a one-year extension to stay at Ferrari for 2018 despite scoring barely half the number of points as team-mate and title leader Sebastian Vettel so far this term.
"If l didn't feel l could go fast or be happy in myself about my driving l wouldn't be here," said the 2007 world champion. "I have zero interest in wasting my time or the team's time. This isn't the nicest place just to hang around.
"As long as l feel l can win races and fight for championships then it's fine. When l don't feel like that, l will be the first guy to do something else."
The unofficial number two driver at the Scuderia, Raikkonen surrendered potential victories in both Monaco and Hungary to Vettel and many in the paddock have attributed his contract extension to the harmony his relationship with the German brings to Ferrari.
"I was only interested in being here next year, l don't really care what other people are thinking," said Raikkonen. "What's the reason [for the new deal]? You'd have to ask the team."
Raikkonen to stay at Ferrari for 2018
Conspicuous by its absence when Ferrari announced Raikkonen's extension was any news of Vettel, whose current deal expires at the end of the season and who is still yet to sign a new contract.
While Raikkonen was moved to describe the four-time champion as his favourite team-mate in F1, he could shed no light on why Vettel's future was still shrouded in doubt.
"We work very well together but obviously l am not the guy who decides and I have no idea what will happen in his case," he said. "Hopefully it will stay as it is now - that would be perfect."
