Eddie Jordan: Kimi Raikkonen wants Ferrari return

BBC commentator and former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan is seen in the paddock before the Spanish Grand Prix. (Getty Images)

Kimi Raikkonen ‘wants to return to Ferrari’, the team with whom he won the Drivers’ Championship in 2007, according to BBC F1’s chief analyst Eddie Jordan.

A deal for the 32-year-old Finn could be announced as early as next month’s Italian Grand Prix, the former founder and team owner of Jordan Grand Prix added.

Ferrari, though, said the claim had no basis and that no decision had yet been made.

Jordan also claimed that Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo, 24, has already signed for Red Bull to partner Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull next season and the deal will be announced at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

A Red Bull spokeswoman said: “We don’t have anything to announce at present but will advise when we do.”

On the other hand, a Ferrari spokesman said the Italian team are concentrating on improving their car to boost Fernando Alonso‘s title challenge.

He added: “This is the exact same scenario as last year – with not only Kimi but a long list of other drivers allegedly going to Ferrari.

“At the moment our priority is produce the car for Fernando and Felipe (Massa) and a decision on the 2014 line-up will be made at the appropriate moment, which is not right now.”

Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson, on Monday, confirmed to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson that the Finn will not be driving for Red Bull next year.

Robertson said: “Talks broke down. We haven’t spoken for a little while and it’s clear Kimi won’t be driving for Red Bull in 2014.

“Kimi’s a free agent. He still has options out there.

“There’s a lot of things happening behind the scenes and I’m pretty confident he will be in F1 next year.”

Asked specifically whether Ferrari were an option, he said: “Until they confirm their seats, my job is to speak to all the teams and see what’s available.”

Jordan said Raikkonen had made a return to Red Bull his first priority but when talks with the world champions broke down, he set his sights on a return to Ferrari.