Kimi Raikkonen is taking rumours about his future in his stride amid mounting speculation that he might be replaced come the end of the season.
The Finnish driver is out of contract at the end of the year and Ferrari have yet to decide whether they will renew his deal – though team principal Maurizio Arrivabene says the delay is part of a plan to pressure Raikkonen into delivering strong results.
Valtteri Bottas is favourite to take his seat, either in 2016 or 2017, though there is very little evidence to back up the claims and Raikkonen himself isn’t too worried.
“Who knows? Even though we are both Finns, we don’t know each other so well,” he said on Wednesday, addressing the rumours.
“You will have to ask Ferrari what they’re going to do but [I’m] very certain what will happen and obviously it seems to be every year or every team I am in, it seems I’m being kicked out or a new contract or whatever.
“I’m not worried about it at all so time will tell, for sure.”
Meanwhile the 35-year-old doesn’t feel under added pressure to deliver in qualifying despite a run of poor performances on Saturday.
“Obviously it’s not been ideal,” he added. “If you think it’s not going to be ideal, it’s probably going to be better than expected.
“It’s always important [for the] race. This might be a bit more but these days it’s not the easiest thing to overtake. The cars… we do our best, try and get things right all weekend long and be up there.”
