Dec.4 (GMM) The news is finally official: Kimi Raikkonen will not be on the 2010 formula one grid because he has signed full-time with Citroen's junior World Rally Championship team.
The 2007 world champion's signing of the contract, now confirmed by the French carmaker, was first reported on Monday by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.
It is rumoured that the 30-year-old's move, funded by Citroen sponsor Red Bull, could result in Raikkonen returning to formula one in 2011 to replace Mark Webber at the energy drink-owned team's main F1 team.
Raikkonen will drive a Citroen C4 next year at all thirteen WRC rounds, as will Citroen's title winning lead driver Sebastien Loeb.
"For the moment we have a one year contract and we will see how it goes for the future," the winner of 18 grands prix said in a statement.