Raikkonen blackmail case won't affect Ferrari talks

Contract talks between Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari will not be affected by the driver's legal battle in Canada. Raikkonen has alleged that he is the victim of extortion by a woman in Montreal, who had claimed she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed F1 driver at the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix.

A representative of Raikkonen's legal team in Montreal told Autosport last week that the Finn had been informed that the woman would go public with allegations unless she was paid a "huge" sum of money.

Raikkonen denies any involvement in the matter. The extortion complaint has been filed to "protect the driver's reputation" according to his legal team.

The veteran has secured three podium finishes this year, enjoying strong form in Ferrari's 2018 car, and CEO Sergio Marchionne is focusing purely on his on-track performance to decide his future.

"Kimi has nothing to do with this story," Marchionne is quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport. "He is not involved in the least.

"As to how it will affect his contract, then in any case they are two completely unrelated things."

The matter is unlikely to reach a conclusion for several months, with court proceedings a possibility.

Raikkonen has also been linked with move to the World Rally Campionship in 2019, although Toyota team principal Tommi Makinen - the man linked with swooping for the F1 star - says Raikkonen can earn an extra year with Ferrari.