Ferrari says it isn’t looking at potential new drivers but is rather focussed on improving its car during the Formula One summer break.
A team spokesman has dismissed a report in Wedesday’s edtion of Germany’s Bild daily that Ferrari had made Kimi Raikkonen a lucrative offer to return to the Scuderia in 2014.
He said Ferrari “has no interest in the driver market right now” and that speculation about the lineup was an annual occurrence.
“For all those who may have a short memory:”
“Just a year ago everybody came with a list of drivers who could replace Felipe Massa,” the spokesman added.
Raikkonen was Ferrari’s most recent World champion, in 2007. He left F1 in 2010 when his place was taken by Fernando Alonso. Raikkonen returned in 2012 at Lotus, where his contract will expire after this season. Lotus aims to keep him but Constructors’ champion Red Bull is also interested.
Ferrari could have a vacancy at the end of 2013 if Massa's contract is not renewed again.
The relationship between Ferrari and Alonso, who has a deal until 2016, is not the best after the former World champion was rebuked by president Luca di Montezemolo over a comment made after Sunday's race in Hungary. - Sapa-dpa
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