Kimi's WRC switch to be permanent?

Kimi Raikkonen will stay on as a World Rally Championship driver beyond the end of his 2010 programme with Citroen as long as his results improve during the year.

That is the claim of Kimi's co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, who told wrc.com that he felt a successful season in the WRC could be enough to make Raikkonen forget about returning to F1.

At the moment, Raikkonen, 30, has committed only to a 12-round WRC campaign with Citroen Sport in 2010. On his website, the 2007 world champion states he hasn't ruled out a Formula One return in the future - though only if it's with a team with title winning potential.

But asked by wrc.com if he felt Raikkonen would remain in the World Rally Championship beyond the 2010 season, Lindstrom said: "Yes. I believe he will, if he can get some good results."

"He's seen F1, and now he's really looking forward to rallying and if we can see that he can improve and the results are coming, then I think he will be more interested in continuing with rally, rather than returning to F1."

Lindstrom's comments come in the same week that Citroen Racing boss Oliver Quesnel suggested Raikkonen could be destined for his factory team in the future.

Quesnel told French Auto Hebdo magazine he is prepared for the Finn to make an impact during his debut season and extend his stay in the series. “We are not asking for the impossible for a first season, but it is clear that if he progresses and shows the right level, then he could slot into the first team [in 2011]” he reportedly said.