Raikkonen linked with McLaren return

Kimi Raikkonen is the latest driver to be linked with a move to McLaren at the end of the 2018 season.

Last week, reports emerged that Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo had been offered a $20million-a-year deal to sign with the Woking team.

But now Raikkonen, who drove for McLaren from 2002 to 2006 winning nine races and finishing runner-up twice in the World Championship, is the next driver reportedly on the team’s shortlist according to Press Association Sport.

Raikkonen’s current contract with Ferrari expires at the end of the season and has been tipped to be replaced by rising star Charles Leclerc, whose stock continues to grow with consistently good qualifying and race performances at Sauber.

Not only does Leclerc need to dislodge Raikkonen at Ferrari, but a deal for the Finn to return to McLaren would also hinge on Fernando Alonso not renewing his contract with the team and seeking a new challenge.

McLaren remain confident they can convince Alonso to stick around, but the Spaniard is keeping his options open heading toward the summer break.

Raikkonen will no doubt be looking forward to answering questions about his future in the FIA Drivers’ Press Conference this afternoon in Austria.