Ferrari to announce Raikkonen deal at Imola?

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo denied at Imola today that the Italian team have already signed Kimi Raikkonen for next year. Raikkonen is rumored to be on his way out of McLaren to their rivals, and Italian di Montezemolo admitted that they were interested in a driver of the caliber of the 26-year-old Raikkonen.

But when asked if Raikkonen had signed a contract with the Maranello-based team, di Montezemolo said: "Why do you assume that a deal has been done? It is not like this."

"I haven't got any kind of contact, unfortunately, with a fantastic driver like Raikkonen. Talking to potential drivers is a very intelligent suggestion – not only with Raikkonen. I think it's important to have a spare tie in your pocket – Mr. Ferrari told me that."

"Michael has no pressure from us," he added. "He knows that if he will continue with us we will be extremely pleased and if he will retire then we will be disappointed but also we understand that in a life there comes an end for all of us."

04/15/06 (GMMf1NET) At Imola next weekend, Ferrari will announce that Kimi Raikkonen is to become Michael Schumacher's new formula one teammate from 2007.

The information was published in Austria's 'Kronen Zeitung' newspaper.