As for the specialist media, however, the notoriously reticent 32-year-old prefers rally.

"I have the feeling that the rally press is more interested in the discipline, and what is happening on the stages, rather than the F1 journalists who write c* to make headlines," Raikkonen is quoted by autohebdo.fr.

Where previously there was scepticism, however, there is a growing feeling in the Formula One paddock that the Raikkonen rumours are real.

"I believe it could happen," Felipe Massa, who paired with the Finn at Ferrari between 2007 and 2009, told Turun Sanomat newspaper in India.

Others are not sceptical that Raikkonen might return, but concerned that he will struggle even more than Michael Schumacher has during his own comeback.

"Michael has had quite a difficult time. You have to remember that when he left Michael had a much more competitive car than when he came back.

"Perhaps it would be the same for Kimi," said Massa. "But anyway, Kimi is still young so in that sense the two-year absence is not very significant.

"When you are young, if you want to do something and you train hard enough, it is not impossible to have the same performance as you did before," added Massa.

motorsport.com