The famous British squad's chairman Adam Parr was asked directly about the speculation in India on Friday by Finnish journalist Heikki Kulta.

"I am afraid there is only one answer to that question, which is that our race drivers are Pastor Maldonado and Rubens Barrichello and if, and when, that changes we will make an appropriate announcement," he answered.

Parr was later asked a nearly identical question in the Buddh paddock by MTV3, Finland's television broadcaster.

"Kimi has been one of the most competent drivers in the last few years," acknowledged Parr, "and I think everyone would like to see him back in F1."

The Former McLaren driver is notoriously unforthcoming with the media, but German-language reports this week have quoted Raikkonen as responding to a question about a hypothetical return to F1.

"Of course you always want a winning car," he said, "but as we have seen this year, there is only one team that really has that."