25/08/2005
NEWS STORY
Both Ferrari and McLaren have reacted to a report in the German media claiming that Kimi Raikkonen has signed a 'provisional contract' with the Italian team for 2007, and suggesting that the two drivers might even swap teams.
"We already have two drivers under contract for the 2006 season," Ferrari press officer, Luca Colajanni, told reporters at Monza this morning, "and it is too soon to start talking about the 2007 season.
"We have not made any commitments with anybody for 2007," he added.
Further along the pitlane, Ron Dennis said: "Our team is locked in an intense battle for the 2005 Formula One drivers' and constructors' world championships and everybody within the organisation, including our drivers, are and will continue to be 100 percent focused on this.
"Loyalty from both the team and its drivers have always been a given in our environment," he added, according to Reuters. "This has been clearly demonstrated by Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard who were with the team for nine years.
"We anticipate long-term relationships with both Kimi, who is in his fourth season with us, and Juan Pablo. Consequently the team is not in discussion with any other driver, including Michael Schumacher about a possible team McLaren Mercedes race seat."