Kimi Raikkonen focus on Belgian GP amid speculation of future at Lotus

Finn may yet stay on at Lotus after manager confirms talks with Red Bull have stalled.

Kimi Raikkonen may yet stay at Lotus next season.

Kimi Raikkonen heads to Spa this weekend with his future a hot topic of debate as he chases a fifth Belgian Grand Prix victory.

Steve Robertson, Raikkonen's manager, stated earlier this week the Finn would not be driving for Red Bull next year as talks had broken down.

With rumours rife of a potential return to Ferrari, Robertson further claims the 33 year old would be happy to remain at Lotus providing he is given assurances about their financial and technical future.

"Lotus hold the key to Raikkonen's future," Robertson told Autosport.

"If the team can provide him with the answers he is seeking, which will ensure he has a car that can fight for race wins and the championship, then he will stay."

It means when Raikkonen faces the media for the first time in almost a month later on Thursday he is certain to be grilled over what happened with Red Bull, and the options available.

For now, following Formula One's four-week summer break, Raikkonen faces the challenge of Spa-Francorchamps as the closest pursuer to Sebastian Vettel, trailing the German by 38 points.

Although Raikkonen has finished on the podium six times this season, on five occasions he has had to settle for the runner-up spot, with his only triumph on opening day in Australia back in March.

That is a statistic that has to change if he is to reel in Vettel over the remaining nine races, as well as keep Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes at bay, the duo just a point and 10 adrift respectively.

"To beat Seb we need to be winning races," said Raikkonen.

"If we keep finishing second like we have done many times this year it's probably not going to be enough for the championship, but you never know what might happen."

For Raikkonen, Spa represents his "favourite place" and the "greatest racing circuit in the world".

Remarkably, up until last year, in seven previous attempts Raikkonen had either won, doing so four times, or failed to finish.

In claiming third 12 months ago, Raikkonen can still state every time he has seen the chequered flag at Spa he has been on the podium.

"It would be great to win at Spa for a fifth time," said Raikkonen.

"For me there have only been good memories from Spa and it's great to go racing there.

"You can't get the same kind of a feeling anywhere else. It's a proper circuit which has such a great tradition".

Asked as to why, Raikkonen replied: "Sometimes there are certain circuits where everything seems to run smoothly, and then there are other circuits where I have no luck at all.

"Of course, we will do our very best to win this race. I have been on the top step of the podium a few times at Spa, and I want to be there again."

Follow us