Ferrari to keep Raikkonen for 2015 (Update)
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| Kimi Raikkonen |
(GMM) Ferrari has given the strongest sign yet that Kimi Raikkonen will definitely still be wearing red in 2015.
With many prominent Ferrari figures having departed this year, and Fernando Alonso and a flurry of his engineers to be the next, it has been rumored Raikkonen's future might also be in doubt.
The 35-year-old Finn is already signed up for 2015, but he has notably struggled alongside Alonso this year and at the end of 2009 was ousted by Ferrari despite having a year to run on his contract.
Team boss Marco Mattiacci, however, hailed the 2007 world champion's performance last weekend in Brazil, and a report posted on Ferrari's official website on Thursday gave more evidence that Raikkonen is staying put.
It said Raikkonen flew straight to Maranello after the Interlagos race "to begin preparations for the final race of the season and testing for 2015 in the days directly after it".
Ferrari revealed that he also met with technical boss James Allison "to discuss about the new car" and the forthcoming winter test period.
10/17/14
With the recent news that Sebastian Vettel is likely headed to Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen's camp has been very vocal in reaffirming the 35-year-old Finn's commitment to both the team and sport. As you can see from this AR1 Hot News item, Raikkonen has attempted to make clear that he intends to stay in F1 as long as possible.
That may be so, but Raikkonen, who turns 35 today, is no spring chicken in a sport that has not been favorable to those his age in recent years.
While AutoRacing1 has stated on numerous occasions that the 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen is as good as anyone on his day, we don't see him coming anywhere near matching Vettel next year at Ferrari. Nor do we see a) Maranello paying his hefty retainer after 2015, or b) any of the other cash-strapped teams taking a flyer on a talented, but temperamental driver in his late-30s.
We'll continue to follow the story. However, as things stand on Raikkonen's assertion that he has any career with the Scuderia beyond 2015 seems somewhat ridiculous. If anything, the fact Raikkonen keeps having to remind everyone he plans to continue, probably speaks volumes in and of itself.
AR1 Staff