Ferrari has confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will be retained at the team for 2018, ruling out any speculation over the Finn’s future in the sport.
Ferrari retain Kimi Raikkonen for 2018
Raikkonen joined Formula 1 in 2001 driving for Sauber before switching to McLaren and enjoying a successful five year spell with the Woking-based team, finishing as the runner up in the Drivers’ Championship twice.
A disappointing 2006 Season saw Raikkonen jump ship to Ferrari for 2007 to partner Felipe Massa. Here he tasted instant success by winning the season opener in Australia, going on to win the championship for the first time in his career. Raikkonen left Ferrari in 2009 and found himself without a drive in F1 for 2010, bringing about a halt to his open wheel career for two years.
During this period, Raikkonen drove in the WRC and also competed in a handful of NASCAR races. He returned to the F1 grid in 2012 with Lotus where he secured two wins, going on to rejoin Ferrari for the 2014 Season, remaining there since.
In his second stint at Ferrari, Raikkonen has achieved 11 podiums along with one pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix this season.
With Raikkonen being confirmed by Ferrari for 2018, this rules out the likes of Sergio Perez, Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc for a drive with the Scuderia next season.
This deal will likely pave the way for Sebastian Vettel to be re-signed for 2018 for a longer contract deal, with his current contract running out at the end of this season.
For the first time in a number of years, Ferrari has found itself as a major contender in the championship, and Vettel currently leads Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Standings by 14 points. Raikkonen meanwhile lies in fifth place with 116 points.
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