Ferrari's Formula 1 driver lineup will remain unchanged next season after the Italian team ended uncertainty surrounding the future of Kimi Raikkonen on Wednesday.
"Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen," the team said in a statement. The driver lineup next season will still consist of the Finnish driver and Sebastian Vettel."
Raikkonen reacted, “What can I say… For me, to be able to stay another year at Ferrari means that the dream goes on. The Scuderia is my family, as I always said, it’s here I want to end my career."
"I am more committed than ever and I want to say thank you to the people who gave me this chance. Also, a big thank you goes to all my Ferrari fans, for their continuous support," added the man who in 2007 was the last driver to win a F1 title for the Maranello team.
Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene explained, "We believe that extending Kimi’s contract into the next season will provide further stability to the team. This has been our guideline, also considering the very good relationship between Kimi and Seb."
"On our side, this shows our great confidence in him [Raikkonen] and I expect this confidence to be well rewarded,"concluded the Italian team boss.
Raikkonen made his Formula 1 debut in 2001 in Australia, and has since then made 222 grand prix starts – winning the F1 world title in 2007 and racking up 20 wins along the way.
Until this announcement, confirming his place at Ferrari beyond 2015, Silly Season speculation abounded regarding Raikkonen's future with the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg and even teenage rookie Max Verstappen linked with the team as possible replacements.
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