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Kimi Raikkonen set to stay in WRC

Kimi Raikkonen is set to stay in the WRC © Getty Images

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• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Kimi Räikkönen

Kimi Raikkonen looks set to stay in the World Rally Championship for a second season rather than return to Formula One, according to AUTOSPORT.

The 2007 world champion had been linked to team up with Robert Kubica at Renault next year but the Finn is now believed to be keen on extending his run in the WRC.

"I don't miss Formula One and I am enjoying what I am doing now," said Raikkonen last weekend. "I have still not decided what I am doing next year yet. Soon I have to decide, maybe it will be just after Rally Finland."

Raikkonen's motivation to stay with Red Bull could open the door for a possible F1 return with the team in 2012 as Mark Webber's contract expires at the end of the season.

"We are very happy with what Kimi has done this season," a Red Bull source told AUTOSPORT. He is very good for the Red Bull brand and we are looking to extend his agreement into next year. I think this is likely."

Sebastien Loeb, on course for a seventh WRC title, also agreed that it would benefit Raikkonen to stay for at least a second year in the WRC.

"He should, because this year he is only learning," said Loeb. "He cannot be competitive this year and if he stops then he has lost this year. If he continues next year he will arrive on the rallies knowing where he is.

"He has the notes, he can modify them, which is much easier than this year when he had to make them all from the start. He will know better the stages in his head. He can improve a lot from this year to next year.

"Especially because we all change cars, so he will get in the new car and we will also. I'm sure he would have more chances to succeed next season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.