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Raikkonen keeping 2014 options open

Kimi Raikkonen: "The decision has to come from me and I haven't made any decisions" © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Kimi Räikkönen

• Teams:
• Lotus F1

Kimi Raikkonen believes he is in a strong position for negotiating a contract for 2014, but has not yet decided where he wants to drive or whether he will stay in Formula One.

Raikkonen's Lotus contract will expire at the end of the year, and after a strong start to the season he is one of F1's hottest properties. He has been linked to Red Bull after its co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz said the Finn would be a candidate should Mark Webber leave the team, but Raikkonen stressed that he is no rush to decide.

"For sure there are not many top, top drivers that don't have a contract [for 2014], so I'm probably the only one of those," he said. "There are some contracts that will end next year and I don't have a contract. It's normal that the rumours happen and even if you do have a contract there are still rumours. It's a very normal situation in Formula One and it is not me or my manager that will create the stories, it comes from the other side of the paddock."

Asked whether he had been in negotiations to stay at Lotus, Raikkonen said there was no need for protracted talks and that if he does stay it will depend on various factors.

"I try to do my work well and if I do it well I'm sure I will get the contract that I want," he said. "I'm sure if we want to make a contract it will be very easy and not a painful way of doing it. It just involves certain ingredients to get it right and I don't think we have to sit down and discuss it every day because it is not going to change. The decision has to come from me and I haven't made any decisions.

"There are still a lot of things that have to happen and a lot of things that can go that way or this way. Something else in another part of your life can happen and then you don't want to be in racing, so there are a lot of things that can happen and decide it for you."

Asked if he had several options, Raikkonen added: "I'm sure there are some options. That is no secret, but there is also the option that I don't drive anything. Right now I don't have a contract, I have nothing. When I have a contract and I know what will happen I will tell you - it's as simple as that. But I'm sure it's not going to be this race or the next race, and I'm sure it will take time whatever the decision will be."

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