• 2011 season

Raikkonen was never considered by Red Bull

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

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• News:
• Manager not ruling out F1 switch for Raikkonen
  

• Drivers:
• Kimi Räikkönen
• |
• Mark Webber

• Teams:
• Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has ruled out the possibility of Kimi Raikkonen returning to F1 with his team next year and added that he was never considered for the position.

Speculation has surrounded Red Bull's 2011 driver line-up for some time as Mark Webber's contract runs out at the end of the year. But Horner insisted that it was just a matter of paperwork standing between the in-form Australian and a new contract.

When asked if Raikkonen had ever been considered for the seat, Horner said: "No. Kimi has committed himself to rallying, and he seems to be enjoying that environment. We have been happy with the job that Mark is doing, so why would you change?"

He confirmed that he had no reason to look for a driver outside of his current line-up.

"When we sit down and talk about it, it will be very straightforward," Horner said. "Mark is an important member of the team, he enjoys driving for the team and we have a great balance between our two drivers. So, it is the usual thing - if it is not broken, don't fix it. I think that it is clear where our intent is, it is clear where his intent is. It is just a matter of sorting out the paperwork with his management, but in the coming weeks I am sure that will be sorted."

One of the reasons Webber was believed to be looking elsewhere is because Red Bull is only likely to offer him a one-year contract. But Horner insisted both sides were comfortable with that arrangement.

"I think that Mark is not your normal guy," he added. "I think he wants to be in a situation where he can be competitive, and he is not looking to string out his career beyond where he believes he has the desire and competition. Obviously when a driver is approaching their mid-30s, it makes sense to take things one year at a time. He is certainly more than comfortable with that, as are we."

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