Formula One champions Renault would have signed Kimi Raikkonen for next season had he not been committed already to Ferrari, team boss Flavio Briatore said on Friday.
Ferrari say they will confirm their 2007 line-up on Sunday, with widespread expectation that Raikkonen will join from McLaren and seven times world champion Michael Schumacher announce his retirement.
"We tried to have Raikkonen," Briatore told reporters after free practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
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"We did not really expect to lose Fernando and we moved a little bit late. Kimi chose to sign this pre-contract with Ferrari and good luck," he added.
"We will try to beat him next year. "Sure, for me the dream was to have Fernando and Kimi," said Briatore. "But what is not possible is not possible.
"We try to do whatever we think is the best and Raikkonen's commitment was made very early with Ferrari. We believe, we presume, that he will be driving for Ferrari next year with (Brazilian Felipe) Massa."
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"If Michael decides to stop, I believe it is the right way for him," he said.
