From GMM

If Bernie Ecclestone is up to date with inside information, he dropped a couple of big hints in the paddock of the Suzuka circuit on Thursday.

With Fernando Alonso's Ferrari deal now official, the next anticipated news is the 2010 whereabouts of the newly-available Kimi Raikkonen.

"I think we will see Kimi in a good car, it would be good to see him in a McLaren wouldn't it?" F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told reporters in Japan.

The Briton was asked why he thought the Finn's Ferrari deal has been ended a year before schedule.

"It's a different culture. He's probably better off with a more English-type team. I hope the old Kimi turns up next season," said Ecclestone.

He also sounded confident that his favourite driver Felipe Massa will be able to handle Alonso, as well as the Spaniard's rumoured penchant for special status.

"No way (will Alonso be the number one). He may try but I don't think he'll be successful. "If he (Massa) handled Kimi, he should be able to handle Fernando, they're the same type of driver really, aren't they? I think he'll be all right," the 78-year-old said.


Addressing another rumour, Ecclestone said he hopes multiple world rally champion Sebastien Loeb does make his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi next month.

"Obviously we would like to see him. He is a well known guy. It is nice to have a change of people, and he is a nice guy as well," he said.

Bernie Ecclestone was also happy about the newly-refurbished state of the Suzuka paddock he was standing in.

"Now you can understand why I complain about Silverstone," he said. "They've (Suzuka) got on with it. That was one of the conditions that we came back here."