Kimi Raikkonen undecided on F1 stay beyond 2020

Kimi Raikkonen says he is yet to decide whether he wants to continue in Formula 1 beyond the end of the 2020 season.

The Finn’s initial two-year deal with Alfa Romeo expires at the end of the year after he swapped seats at Ferrari with Charles Leclerc for 2019.

2020 has so far proved to be a difficult season for the Swiss squad and Raikkonen is yet to score a point, with Alfa Romeo holding eighth in the constructors’ thanks to Antonio Giovinazzi’s ninth-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Asked ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps if he wants to continue to race in F1 next year, Raikkonen replied: “I haven’t decided yet.

“You’d much rather race in a better position, or fighting for the points, but there’s never a guarantee, wherever you go, that it’s going to be good or bad,” he added.

“I think the bigger picture is much more important for me. First of all comes the family, the kids are getting bigger, this year I’ve been able to be more home, which is great and I think that’s what makes me decide to continue racing or not.  

“There’s going to be a point where I’ll want to be home and do other things, but not yet.”

And Raikkonen would not budge when pressed on whether he would consider leaving Alfa Romeo to race for another team in F1.

“I need to decide what I will do and we’ll see,” he explained. “Right now, that’s the first thing to decide. I don’t really see that it would change anything in terms if I stay with them or not.

“Until I decide what I do, those things are not on my list.”

Nico Hulkenberg, who made a surprise comeback with Racing Point for the two Silverstone rounds, has been linked with Alfa Romeo for next year, while Ferrari has a host of juniors it could promote from Formula 2 including current championship leader Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman.

Raikkonen’s teammate Giovinazzi is also out of contract at the end of the season but stressed it is “still a bit too early” to be able to provide an update on his future.

“It’s still a bit too early, just did six races,” he said. "I just know I need to continue like I’m doing. Be consistent, be competitive, and then we’ll see.”