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Formula One team Ferrari has announced ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix that Kimi Raikkonen will retain his seat for next year’s season.
The team officially stated: “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The driver line-up next season will still consist of the Finnish driver and Sebastian Vettel.”
Raikkonen himself said: “What can I say… For me, to be able to stay another year at Ferrari means that the dream goes on. The Scuderia is my family, as I always said, it’s here I want to end my career.”
“I am more committed than ever and I want to say thank you to the people who gave me this chance. Also, a big thank you goes to all my Ferrari fans, for their continuous support.”
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has also stated: “We believe that extending Kimi’s contract into the next season will provide further stability to the team. This has been our guideline, also considering the very good relationship between Kimi and Seb. On our side, this shows our great confidence in him, and I expect this confidence to be well rewarded.”
Raikkonen currently sits fifth in the drivers standings on 76 points, one point behind fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas, who was touted by many, including myself, to replace Raikkonen at Maranello in 2016. His teammate Vettel has almost twice as many points as Kimi, perched third on the standings.
Raikkonen’s first stint with the Prancing Horse delivered his only world championship and Ferrari their 15th Constructors’ Championship.
After being axed for Fernando Alonso in 2010, Raikkonen did a bit of rally car racing and even a race in the NASCAR Truck Series, before returning to Formula One with Lotus in 2012.
After strong form with Lotus including a handful of wins, he replaced Felipe Massa at Ferrari but struggled with an uncompetitive car.
In comparison to Vettel his form has been underwhelming in 2015, picking up just the one podium. However a podium finish is definitely on the cards at Spa, one of Kimi’s strongest tracks.
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