McLaren has up to ‘three other options’ lined up in case Kimi Raikkonen leaves the silver clad team.
That is the revelation of Norbert Haug, competition director for works engine partner Mercedes-Benz, who said in Montreal that they was still hopeful of keeping the 26-year-old Finn for 2007.
Raikkonen is linked with possible moves to Ferrari and Renault, but is more likely to keep the faith at McLaren ‘with each good result’, according to Haug.
To the ‘sid’ agency, he continued: ”(Kimi) knows what he has with us, but he will go with whoever gives him the best chance of victory.”
McLaren-Mercedes’ ‘two or three’ options might include choosing to retain Juan Pablo Montoya, as Fernando Alonso prepares to join next year.
But Haug also alluded to speculation surrounding GP2 sensation Lewis Hamilton, saying: ”We have often encountered good experiences with drivers of the new generation.”
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