Scuderia Ferrari announced yesterday, through an official press release, that Finnish driver Kimi Raikkönen will drive for the italian team on the 2018 season.
Raikkönen, aged 37, will take part in 2018 on his 8th and 4th consecutive season for the Maranello team, with which was crowned world champion in 2007 and with which is currently fifth on championship standings, with four podiums.
As it had happened in recent years, Iceman‘s continuity in Ferrari was put in doubt as he was performing worse than his team mate Sebastian Vettel, and rumours about a possible departure from Ferrari and leaving F1 quickly began to be spread. However, the italian team has decided to hire him again for at least one more year. The Finnish driver has been able to finish second in both Ferrari’s one-twos, took Pole on Monaco GP and has done well as the second driver of the team. Moreover, there is currently no driver linked to Ferrari that has enough experience to take his seat.
Scuderia Ferrari, currently second in constructors’ standings, hasn’t made official who will partner Raikkönen in 2018. However, would be no surprise at all that championship leader’s, Vettel, renewal was announced in the next weeks. The duo formed by the Finnish and the German is very likely to go on for fourth consecutive year.
“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.” – Official press release published yesterday by Scuderia Ferrari.