After being linked to a racing seat with Renault, alongside Polish driver Robert Kubica, and McLaren Mercedes' team principal Martin Whitmarsh publicly admitted his desire to see Kimi back on the F1 grid next year, now another team has stepped into the rumor mill: Mercedes GP.
Needless to say, only a minor gesture from one of the Mercedes officials could have triggered the new allegations, and it happened when the German marque's motorsport director Norbert Haug decided to pay the Finnish driver a visit in his home in Switzerland. It happened prior to last weekend's Rally Bulgaria, and Haug did not deny it, although he did insist the visit was only “as a friend,” and not related to business.
“I have been in contact with Kimi as a friend. Kimi will make a decision (regarding his future) for himself. I do hope he comes back, because it would be a good thing for F1,” Haug was quoted as saying to MTV3 at Silverstone, during last weekend's British Grand Prix.
Haug has collaborated with Raikkonen between 2002 and 2006, when the Finn was driving for McLaren Mercedes. Back then, the Woking based organization was Mercedes' works team in the Great Circus and Haug was handling the motor racing operations for the German carmaker. The two are also believed to be good friends, as Haug was invited to Kimi's wedding in 2004.
Obviously, Haug's visit will stir things up in the German media as well, as it will immediately be linked with a potential departure of Michael Schumacher from his racing seat with the Stuttgart manufacturer. The 41-year old driver signed a 3-year deal with Mercedes GP at the end of 2009, but several voices have hinted that he might give up his F1 return following the poor performances in 2010.
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