TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Red Bull-Renault and Lotus-Renault is now competing to engage Formula One racer Kimi Raikkonen whose contract with Lotus will due in the end of this season. Kimi becomes the strongest candidate to replace Red Bull's Mark Webber who decided to retire starting from next season.

Red Bull chairman Christian Homer stated that besides Kimi, there are two other Formula One racers who will become the strong candidates to replace Webber. They are STR-Ferrari duet, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

"We want the fastest line ups and Kimi is obviously an interesting candidate," he said to Sky Sports on Friday June 28. "The boys (Ricciardo and Vergne) are also interesting. We want to take time and evaluate the options available for us, but the fact is that it may be from those three racer."

Red Bull is not going to close the possibility to engage other racers than the three racers. One name that has also been issued is Paul di Resta who currently defends Force India-Mercedes.

"It is clear that you have to se through everything and everyone who is available. I am not sure with Paul's situation, but like I said, focus is on those three racers," Homer added.

Kimi is currently occupies third rank of the temporary classification with 88 points gained. The racer who took his time in NASCAR in 2010 was also on the third rank with 207 points.

SKY SPORTS | KHAIRUL ANAM