Bernie Ecclestone has said that he believes Kimi Raikkonen will head to Ferrari in 2007, rather than remain with McLaren, which has just announced that it has acquired the services of Fernando Alonso.

There has been speculation over the Finn's move to Maranello for some time, but the 2005 World Championship runner-up has consistently denied them. However, in the wake of Alonso's shock announcement, some, including Ecclestone, believe it's a matter of when Raikkonen will reveal the move rather than if.

"Yes, I think Kimi will go to Ferrari," Ecclestone told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It's in the interests of both parties.

"However, it's not certain it will end up this way," he added, "because if Schumacher continues with Ferrari beyond 2006, Raikkonen will have to find another seat - at which point he could end up at Renault!

"He is always a winner," he said of the seven-time World Champion, "and he will be the favourite in 2006.

"I don't see him thinking about retiring. He races because he enjoys it and has gone beyond the money barrier. With Ferrari he's built a strong, loving relationship. He will never race with another team."