Decision on Raikkonen's future before August

Formula 1

Decision on Raikkonen’s future before August

GPUpdate10:20pm 9 July 2013

Lotus boss Eric Boullier expects Kimi Räikkönen to confirm his future plans before the month is over. The Finn, whose contract with the Enstone-based outfit expires at the end of the season, is in the running to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull.

Räikkönen plus Toro Rosso drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne have been named as the three candidates for the upcoming vacancy with the reigning World Champions, but Boullier is hopeful he can convince his driver to remain onboard.

“Two years in a row we have closed the gap with Red Bull,” Boullier told BBC Sport. “He wants to know if we will keep going like that. We are in discussions about the technical package we’ll have. [A decision is expected] before August.

“He is mature enough to decide for himself what is the right thing to do. There are some upsides to going to Red Bull and some downsides as well.”

Boullier also confirmed that Lotus had been late with Räikkönen’s salary in recent months, but insists the matter is resolved and will not cause issues moving forward.

He said: “It was paid late. But it has been paid. We have to if we want to keep him.”