Kimi Raikkonen has made it clear his passion for racing will determine if he stays in Formula 1 next year.
The 40-year-old is out of contract at Alfa Romeo at the end of this season with Nico Hulkenberg a name occasionally floated as a potential replacement.
But in the year that should still see him become F1’s all-time most experienced driver, surpassing Rubens Barrichello, Raikkonen admits enjoyment is the only factor motivating his next move.
“I have said already that I will do this season and then I will decide,” he told Infobae. “If I continue to enjoy racing this year, I will continue. If not, I will retire.”
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Raikkonen has walked away from F1 before, leaving Ferrari after 2009, but returned three years later with Lotus and has been a feature on the grid since.
“It’s very simple: I love racing,” he said on how he’s been able to sustain his career.
“I don’t really care about all the rest, the interviews and all that, but I really like the feeling of racing wheel to wheel. I missed that and that’s why I came back.”
But while some drivers say the fear of missing the sport often influences their decision to continue, the always blunt Finn doubts that will be his case.
“I don’t think I will miss it. There are good people and I will keep in touch with them, but that’s all,” he added.
“I have spent many years there and when I choose to stop I am sure that I will find plenty of things to keep me busy.”