Ecclestone Would Love to See Raikkonen at McLaren

With Ferrari confirming Fernando Alonso for the upcoming 3 Formula One seasons, Finland's Kimi Raikkonen is officially on the drivers' market as of yesterday. Although saying several times that he wishes to end his career at Maranello, it's likely that the 2007 F1 champion will secure a drive elsewhere for the upcoming year.

Prior to the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend, the Finn was linked with a move to his former team McLaren Mercedes. He is believed to have already signed a pre-contract with the Woking based team last week, conditioned by his leaving Ferrari at the end of the year.

Talking about the massive changes in the drivers' lineups for championship's big guns Ferrari and McLaren Mercedes – although the latter did not make any official statement on their 2010 roster – F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone admitted he would love to see Raikkonen back into a silver arrowed car, especially since the spirit of Team McLaren is closer to Kimi's way of expressing himself.

“I think we will see Kimi in a good car, it would be good to see him in a McLaren wouldn't it? It's a different culture. He's probably better off with a more English-type team. I hope the old Kimi turns up next season,” said Ecclestone in an interview with the media, in Japan.

In addition, the 78-year Englishman insisted that Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari will not automatically be followed by the Spaniard being given the No 1 status within the team, since Felipe Massa is a very good driver himself.

“No way (will Alonso be the number one). He may try but I don't think he'll be successful. If he (Massa) handled Kimi, he should be able to handle Fernando, they're the same type of driver really, aren't they? I think he'll be all right,” added Ecclestone.