Ferrari confirm Raikkonen for 2018
- Published on 22 Aug 2017 12:36
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Ferrari has confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will remain with the team for the 2018 season. The Finn's contract was set to expire at the end of the season, as he is currently held to a one-year rolling contract with Formula 1's most successful team.
Raikkonen first drove for Ferrari in 2007 after Michael Schumacher retired. After winning the driver's title in his first year with the Maranello team, the next two years didn't contain much joy and he failed to repeat his title bid.
After coming back from a break from the sport, he re-joined the Scuderia in 2014 after two years with Lotus, and is playing a crucial role this year in Ferrari's bid for the 2017 constructor's championship. The future of the 2007 champion has been a hot topic of debate in recent months, with teammate Sebastian Vettel publicly stating he wished for Raikkonen to stay.
A short statement from Ferrari reads: "Ferrari announces that Scuderia Ferrari has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finnish driver will therefore race for the Maranello team in the 2018 Formula One World Championship."
Now that Raikkonen's future is secure, Ferrari will no doubt be putting a lot of concentration on Sebastian Vettel's future, as the German is out of contract at the end of the year. While the Italian squad is looking to give him a three-year deal, there are reports that Vettel only wants a one-year extension to keep his 2019 options open.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (9)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Expected this to happen really
F1racefan97
Posts: 113
Cue him falling badly off the pace of vettel again and nowhere near replicating his form from the last couple races... As much as it was expected, they probably should have given the likes of a hulkenberg or grosjean or Perez a chance before the red bull boys' contract expires and go to Ferrari
xoya
Posts: 583
I see no logic in this decision. Any driver could've done what he did and support Vettel plus be more competitive.
Kimi has really been a dead weight for a few years now.
Should've given a seat to Leclerc, Werhlein or Kvyat.
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
Kvyat at Ferrari? Man, what have you been smoking???
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
Ferrari do not place rookie drivers in their seats, so no to Leclerc.
Wehrlein belongs to Mercedes and Kvyat is not something for the future.
Kevin
Posts: 5,294
Expected, but disappointing nonetheless. Take a real talent for once instead of this mediocrity.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Its only logical really
dr002
Posts: 141
Why is it logical?
He is not doing anywhere near as consistent a job as Bottas is doing for Mercedes, and so (engine performance aside) I am dumbfounded as to how Ferrari are planning on winning the Constructors Championship against the Mercedes pairing.
It also seems to me that Kimi's performance improves when his future is in doubt. He certainly improved after he was labelled a 'laggard' by the boss.
Now that he has signed again for next year, watch his complacency again increase and his performance decrease...... you've only got to look at the way he presents himself in the media, he can't be bothered, doesn't give a shit, which used to be endearing, but now is pathetic, put someone in the seat who is actually excited by it for heaven-sake!! ..... Though I suppose, who could blame the poor guy for his complacency when he is clearly there as a number two at the behest of Vettel...... no other compelling reason to sign him up again.
I think Ferrari have done themselves a huge disservice. They spend massive sums of money on the development of the car, but then plonk in the drivers seat a number two driver who is at the end of his career......
Logical? I think not..... put someone in the seat to give Vettel a run for his money.... It can only help the team in the Constructors Championship, which has surely got to be the priority, not the placation of Vettel!!
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Go Iceman! People forget his driver input has partially helped Ferrari get to the car they have today
. You could tell he was gutted by having to give up the race win in Hungary. He still has the drive and motivation to win races and can. He was obviously the best choice for Ferrari for next year and will probably be on the top step more in the next year and a half.