Raikkonen to race in WRC in 2011

According to this week’s Autosport, Kimi Raikkonen should race another season of the World Rally championship.

Although many rumors have been talking about the return of the 2007 Formula 1 world champion to the grand prix with team Renault, the Finn seems to prefer staying in WRC for at least another season.

Raikkonen seems to be very enthusiastic on creating a long term relation with Red Bull, which might open the doors to a return to F1 by the hand of the energy drink firm's team in 2012.

The Finn said at last weekend’s Bulgarian Rally that he doesn’t miss Formula 1 and that he is enjoying what he is doing at the moment. As for a final decision, Raikkonen postpones it until the next round of the WRC, in Finland.

Autosport stated that a Red Bull source has confirmed that they are close to a deal with the Finnish driver. “We are very happy with what Kimi has done this season. 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.”

In Citroën Racing the confidence is that Raikkonen will remain on the team.

“I'm sure this will happen," said Olivier Quesnel. "For myself, he is really involved in rallying and he wants to succeed. I will be pleased if he will stay. He has done one year and he needs to do one more year to make sure.”

In Sebastien Loeb’s opinion, Raikkonen would benefit if he was to stay at least one more season in the WRC.

“He should, because this year he is only learning,” Loeb said. “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.”