Ferrari has extended the contract of Kimi Raikkonen until the end of next season, ending speculation the Finnish driver could be replaced. Team president Sergio Marchionne labeled Raikkonnen “a laggard” before July’s Austrian Grand Prix, questioning the 37-year-old’s commitment and desire going forward in Formula One. But recent good form — including podium finishes in the Finn’s last two races — have paved the way for another year at the Maranello outfit. It will be Raikkonen’s fifth consecutive campaign with Ferrari, making him the Italian team’s second longest serving driver of all time.
It is the third successive year that Raikkonen has signed on for a single season with the Scuderia, though there is still no official confirmation regarding team-mate’s Sebastian Vettel’s new deal. Vettel’s current contract expires at the end of the year and though he is expected to agree terms, long-standing Mercedes interest means the length of the deal is unclear. Raikkonen’s renewal, however, is another sign of stability at a much-improved Ferrari team for 2017. “Ferrari announces that Scuderia Ferrari has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen,” a team statement read. “The Finnish driver will therefore race for the Maranello team in the 2018 Formula One World Championship.”
Raikkonen has barely scored half the number of points the title-leading Vettel has accumulated this season and the Finn’s future with the team was cast in considerable doubt when Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne described him as a “laggard” in July. But Vettel openly stated he wanted Raikkonen to remain as his team-mate for at least one more year. Ferrari’s retention also seemingly closes another door for former Scuderia driver Fernando Alonso, who is actively seeking a competitive drive for 2018. Sergio Perez of Force India and Haas’ Romain Grosjean had also been linked with Raikkonen’s seat.
Raikkonen, who won Ferrari’s last Drivers’ Championship in 10 years ago, began his second stint with the team in 2014 but has failed to secure a race victory since then, partnering Alonso for a year before Vettel’s signature.
But he has served as a quick and consistent deputy to Vettel, especially in a 2017 season where Ferrari are finally competing for both constructors’ and drivers’ honours again. Vettel currently leads the standings by 14 points, with a victory at the last race in Hungary aided by Raikkonen who kept both Mercedes at bay in a quicker car. Raikkonen will now prepare for his fifth successive year with the Scuderia.
