Ferrari has repeated its denial, as reports Kimi Raikkonen could return to the Italian team in 2014 persist.
Two weeks earlier, when the Raikkonen rumours first emerged, a Ferrari spokesman insisted the Maranello outfit "has no interest in the driver market right now".
Now a Finnish newspaper, Ilta-Sanomat, has claimed the 2007 World champion has decided to accept Ferrari's offer. Ferrari, however, has issued an unequivocal denia.
A Ferrari spokesperson told the BBC again: "Right now, we're really not giving any thought to the driver market."
MASSA TO GO?
Interestingly, however, Ferrari seemed to rule out the reported scenario that, if Raikkonen did arrive, he would replace Red Bull-candidate Fernando Alonso.
Ferrari's spokesperson said: "Drivers are not a problem for us, even if we were to change Felipe (Massa)."
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport points out that Raikkonen's management could see the Ferrari rumour as mere leverage amid the more realistic talks about 2014 with Lotus and Red Bull.
F1 correspondent Michael Schmidt said: "It is important for Raikkonen to keep a third option open."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
Two weeks earlier, when the Raikkonen rumours first emerged, a Ferrari spokesman insisted the Maranello outfit "has no interest in the driver market right now".
Now a Finnish newspaper, Ilta-Sanomat, has claimed the 2007 World champion has decided to accept Ferrari's offer. Ferrari, however, has issued an unequivocal denia.
A Ferrari spokesperson told the BBC again: "Right now, we're really not giving any thought to the driver market."
MASSA TO GO?
Interestingly, however, Ferrari seemed to rule out the reported scenario that, if Raikkonen did arrive, he would replace Red Bull-candidate Fernando Alonso.
Ferrari's spokesperson said: "Drivers are not a problem for us, even if we were to change Felipe (Massa)."
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport points out that Raikkonen's management could see the Ferrari rumour as mere leverage amid the more realistic talks about 2014 with Lotus and Red Bull.
F1 correspondent Michael Schmidt said: "It is important for Raikkonen to keep a third option open."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.