Kimi Raikkonen returning to Ferrari rumours shut down

Former Ferrari driver Mika Salo has played down speculation that Kimi Raikkonen could return to the Maranello-based squad at the end of the season.

With Sebastian Vettel's woeful form, his future in Formula 1 remains very uncertain. Some rumours have suggested that the most obvious replacement for Vettel if he was to quit Ferrari, would actually be Raikkonen.

Raikkonen only joined his new team Alfa Romeo Racing at the start of this season, after playing second fiddle to Vettel at Ferrari for multiple years. Charles Leclerc's stock at Ferrari continues to grow and people are suggesting the Finn would be an ideal number two to the young Monegasque driver.

"I saw some rumours about that (Raikkonen's potential return), but it seems unlikely," FIA steward Salo said to Ilta Sanomat. "Kimi's career is already close to the end and he seems happy to be able to drive without pressure at Alfa Romeo. Ferrari requires quite a different level of driving and effort."

Salo believes Raikkonen's return to Sauber, now called Alfa Romeo, has gone well thus far and he is the ideal man to drive for the midfield team: "Kimi has been driving just like the experienced driver they need.