After an agonising interim of almost 25 races, Kimi Räikkönen graced the Formula One podium at the recently concluded Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Finn raced to an alternative strategy which saw him trump Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes AMG, as well as his Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel, to finish second.
Switching to the medium tyres during his first stop saw him do more than survive during the second stint, and then a change to the faster, soft tyre in the final stretch ensured Räikkönen was the fastest on track at the end of the race.
The result was more than welcome for the 2007 world champion, who since his return to Ferrari in 2014 had only achieved a best result of fourth and had been annihilated by then-teammate Fernando Alonso.
With a resurgent red car under his belt and operating in a more harmonious team this year, Räikkönen is keen to taste success in Formula One a little longer.
At 35 years of age, Räikkönen is the oldest driver on the grid. His current contract with Ferrari, signed in 2013, expires at the end of the year but there is an option for a third year. Now that the team have a car suited to ‘The Iceman’s’ sensitive driving style, he wishes to use that option.
And why not? Considering the atrocious year that Räikkönen had upon returning to the squad with which he claimed a maiden championship – the sacking of two team principals, the resignation of their long-standing president, and an overall culture which was rank with malignancy – he had plenty of reasons to walk away then. However with the atmosphere more ‘open’ and the culture more encouraging, Ferrari may be one of the best places to race at the moment.
The new ‘rock and roll’ team principal Maurizio Arrivabene stated during the Bahrain race weekend, that “performance” will be the decisive factor in whether he wants to re-sign his driver.
“If you’re asking me if he deserves to renew the option now, I’m going to say yes.
“But if I’m going to say yes, I do not want the driver to fall asleep.
“This is a psychological approach. The paper at the moment is white.”
Arrivabene has already been given plaudits for his reinvigorated approach to Ferrari. His ability to communicate thoroughly with all facets of the team and on a level more open than his predecessors has reignited Räikkönen’s competitive spark.
“Sometimes you have to take the pen and take it away, and then Kimi is going to the podium,” Arrivabene continued.
So with this new-found competitiveness, driving the flourishing Ferrari to success once again, it would be rewarding for Räikkönen to see out another season in red.
His rapport with teammate and off-track friend Vettel has already proven to be a benefit inside the garage. But keeping on par in terms of results with the four-time world champion will be crucial, and will also uncover whether a ‘number one’ clause is in the latter’s contract.
And if so, then there’s no reason why Ferrari’s most recent world champion cannot embark on one last endeavour in 2016 to re-attain that lost glory.
Steve
Guest
I can definitely see Ricciardo moving at the end of the season, especially if the Redbull and Renault don't have their act together. Recent talk has been Renault leaving Redbull and taking over the Toro Rosso team, which leaves Redbull without an engine supplier and Ricciardo floundering in a mid table team with no engine. I just cant see Ricciardo staying at Redbull for another season. I bet that smile of his is fast disappearing behind closed doors. I can see Daniel in a Ferrari but will he wait another season being an also ran?
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Ferrari would be a good option for Dan on many fronts. He is half-Italian himself so the benefits for an Italian team to have even a half-Italian driver winning races for them is unimaginable.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Ricciardo is definitely future Ferrari material - certainly once his RB contract expires, so perhaps in '17 once Kimi hangs up his helmet - that is if he is granted the extension, which I hope is the case, the sport is better for his presence.
Steve
Guest
Not sure what will happen with Kimi next season. I don't see Hamilton at Ferrari, Vettel has the power of the vetoing that move in his contract. Daniel Ricciardo needs out of the Red Bull next season they are seemingly headed for mid table for the foreseeable future. Where could he go? Second seat at Ferrari? Mercedes? Maybe. I can see him next to Alonso at McClaren in good car and with an ever improving Honda engine, and I would bet Honda will be back at the top sooner rather than later.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
The great aspect of the Vettel-Raikkonen dynamic is that each weekend at least one of the pair is firing, it's not as though the sight of the one suffering misfortune has affected the other's performance.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Naturally there'd have to be a sizeable improvement on McLaren's end for it to even be contemplated - but that's all it is, a contemplation of something which is highly unlikely. Surely K-Mag & Vandoorne represent their '17/'18 line-up.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
And to remain harmonious for another year or two, it's best to keep him alongside Sebastian. Bringing in someone else could upset the balance that is there currently and could potentially create an unwanted poisonous culture within the team again.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Unless they're winning, I doubt he would be interested. On the subject of McLaren though, they should look at their Kevin Magnussens and Stoffel Vandoornes post the team Butt-so era.
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
How about this for a hypothetical... very unlikely, even so - Hamilton to Ferrari, Alonso to Mercedes... Kimi to McLaren (boasting a trouble free Honda power unit)?
Bayden Westerweller
Roar Guru
Kimi confirmed what everybody knew at Bahrain, that he is back. All he required was a little fortune and he capitalised on it. It would be a shame for him to be discarded now that his enthusiasm has returned, the only reason this could happen is if Hamilton inexplicably pulls an about face and joins Maranello... then I wonder, could Kimi end up at Mercedes? He's worth a drive on the grid even if it's not Ferrari, the sport requires the presence of his charisma for as long as possible.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
And also until Hamilton signs his new Mercedes AMG contract which he's been stalling, the rumour mill will suggest that perhaps he intends on going to Ferrari. Nevertheless, Räikkönen wants to stay and he is showing the performance to indicate he will continue.
Amos Rojter
Roar Rookie
I think it will depend on what is happening with Ricciardo and or Bottas, and whether Kimi wants to go on (he's previously said he won't do another contract), but yes, on he's still one of the fastest drivers out there, would love to see him continue!