Raikkonen dampens Ferrari speculation

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen dampened speculation yesterday that he could be joining Ferrari at the end of the 2006 F1 season.

"They're not new rumours, they are already three years old," said the Finn of persistent reports that he will move to the Italian team as replacement for seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher.

"But of course, now everyone knows that my contract is only to (the end of) next year with McLaren so maybe it becomes more exciting to write about those rumours," he told a news conference.

"The fact is that I have a contract next year and I'm happy with the team.

"I don't see any reason to go anywhere else. Okay, after next year we will see again but I'm happy to stay."

Raikkonen will end this season as runner-up, the second such disappointment for the 25-year-old rated by many as the sport's dominant driver despite the title going to Renault's Fernando Alonso.

The Finn has won six races, the same number as Spaniard Alonso, while leading more laps than his 24-year-old rival.

McLaren have also won the last five races and are two points clear of Renault in the constructors' championship with two races remaining.

However, while Alonso built up a considerable lead in the early part of the season, Raikkonen was hampered by his car's poor reliability.

Ferrari have made no secret of their admiration for the McLaren driver who came close to beating Schumacher in the 2003 championship that went down to the wire in Japan.