Kimi Raikkonen has yet to decide on whether he wants to extend his Formula 1 career beyond the 2020 season.
The 40-year old Finnish driver is out of contract with Alfa Romeo at the end of the season and as the oldest driver on the Formula One grid, he has a big decision to make.
“I don't know,” Raikkonen said in front of the media ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
“First of all I need to decide what I will do, and then we'll see. Obviously right now, that's the first thing to decide.”
Alfa Romeo have struggled for pace so far this season, with Raikkonen failing to score a point for the team this year, his highest finish being 11th at the Styrian Grand Prix.
When asked by the media whether the decision would be based on the form of the team previously known as Sauber, Raikkonen indicated that he is looking towards a bigger picture.
“Obviously that (competitiveness) also makes a difference. I'd much rather race in a good position and fighting for the points, but honestly that's never guaranteed wherever you go in a new year that it's going to be good or bad,” he said.
“I think the bigger picture is much more important for me. First comes the family and obviously the kids are getting bigger.”
One of the benefits of a delayed F1 season for Raikkonen is spending more time with his loved ones and could ultimately decide his future in motorsport.
“This year I've been able to be more at home, so it's great, but I think that really is what (decides) either I race or not.”
Raikkonen scoffed at suggestions that he might step aside from his seat in favour of a younger driver, a similar scenario back in 2002 when Mika Hakkinen gave up his McLaren seat to him.
“People maybe looked at it that way, he purely left for being a nice guy and giving me the position, but it just doesn't work like that,” he said.
“And honestly, my decision is based on what I feel like it's right for me, and is nothing to do with if it helps somebody or not. If you want to do it, fine, do it, but that's not how I make my decisions.”