Citroen eager to retain Raikkonen

Date published : 25 Aug 2010 - 10:19:20

Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel has reiterated his desire to keep Kimi Raikkonen in the firm's Junior Team next season.Contrary to speculation, Raikkonen's deal has not been concluded with the Versailles-based squad for 2011 - with the former Ferrari Formula 1 driver reckoned to be in discussions with other teams for next season.Quesnel said: "We like Kimi and we want him with us next year. We will be very pleased if he wants to stay with us."Asked if he had spoken with Raikkonen about next season, Quesnel said he had not discussed the future with the driver or with his management."I was in Germany for four days, but we did not talk about it," Quesnel said. "I heard they wanted to talked about it, but we didn't."Raikkonen is known to be keen to remain in the WRC next season. He said: "I have enjoyed the season so far and it would be good to stay to make the most of what I have learned, but nothing is confirmed at all."Having run fourth on the season's first asphalt event in Bulgaria last month, Raikkonen could only manage seventh in Germany last week. Quesnel says he expects an upturn in pace for the remaining two asphalt rallies of the season in France and Spain."I think he can be in the top five on both of those events," said Quesnel.