Hamburg - Kimi Raikkonen dismissed speculation Thursday that he is in talks with Mercedes GP about driving for Formula One's newest team next season.

Mercedes took over Brawn GP earlier this month but the Finn, who had been in talks with McLaren about a possible drive with the British-based team in 2010, now seems certain to take a year out probably to compete in rallying.

"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved," Raikkonen told the official www. formula1. com website.

"I could not agree terms with McLaren so I have decided to take a one-year sabbatical."

Raikkonen added that he would only return to F1 in 2011 if "a competitive drive" is available.

"I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But theres a lot of time until then, so lets wait and see what happens in the months ahead." (dpa)