After yesterday's announcement that Felipe Massa will leave Ferrari at the end of 2013, his replacement has been announced. You guessed it, it's Kimi Raikkonen.
The Finn will return to the Scuderia in 2014 to partner Fernando Alonso, creating - in my view - the strongest driver line-up on the grid.
Ferrari announced on Wednesday that the Finn has signed a two-year contract that will last until the end of 2015. Raikkonen held talks with Red Bull Racing and was widely expected to move to the Austrian team before discussion broke down and they signed Daniel Ricciardo.
The 33-year-old is Ferrari's last world champion after taking the 2007 title in his debut season for the team. He continued to challenge at the front in 2008 and towards the end of 2009 before taking a break from Formula 1 to tackle the World Rally Championship.
A statement made by Ferrari said: "Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons."
The 20-time race winner - nine of which came during his first stint at the Scuderia - will partner Alonso (who took over the Finns seat in 2010 - as equal number one, something the Spaniard will not be used to after having the support from Felipe Massa.
Remember the last time Alonso was matched and beaten by his team-mate on a regular basis? 2007 didn't shine the double world champion in the best of lights, so it will be interesting to see how he handles being equal number one six years on.
Speaking about Massa's departure Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years.
"Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level. He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future."
He also commented on the latest announcement, saying: "I am delighted to welcome back Kimi to the Scuderia with which he was crowned World Champion. I feel extremely happy to have him return to Maranello and very determined to face the work that awaits him in the best way."
Raikkonen commented on the news himself, saying in a surprisingly long statement: "I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years. I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years, first and foremost, winning the World Championship title in 2007, which was really unforgettable."
He added, "I can’t wait to be driving a Prancing Horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves."
The move now opens up another front-running seat at his current team, Enstone based Lotus. It will be interesting to see who they choose to replace him, the team obviously suffering a huge blow from the loss of the Finn.
Hulkenberg is in contention for the seat with question marks also hanging over Grosjean's future at the team after another inconsistent season so far.
However, it will be great to see Raikkonen back in red and battling it out alongside a team-mate widely regarded as F1's fastest current driver. The Finn is never really mentioned as a top three contender alongside Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton but now we will really see if he can beat Alonso in equal machinery.
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| (c) Lotus F1 Team |
Ferrari announced on Wednesday that the Finn has signed a two-year contract that will last until the end of 2015. Raikkonen held talks with Red Bull Racing and was widely expected to move to the Austrian team before discussion broke down and they signed Daniel Ricciardo.
The 33-year-old is Ferrari's last world champion after taking the 2007 title in his debut season for the team. He continued to challenge at the front in 2008 and towards the end of 2009 before taking a break from Formula 1 to tackle the World Rally Championship.
A statement made by Ferrari said: "Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons."
The 20-time race winner - nine of which came during his first stint at the Scuderia - will partner Alonso (who took over the Finns seat in 2010 - as equal number one, something the Spaniard will not be used to after having the support from Felipe Massa.
Remember the last time Alonso was matched and beaten by his team-mate on a regular basis? 2007 didn't shine the double world champion in the best of lights, so it will be interesting to see how he handles being equal number one six years on.
Speaking about Massa's departure Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "I wish to thank Felipe with all my heart and also on behalf of all our fans around the world, for the extraordinary job he has done for the team over so many years.
"Felipe has always behaved like a real team player. Together we have lived through some great times and also a few dramatic moments, which have helped to cement a truly unique relationship on both a professional and personal level. He will always be part of our family and we wish him all the very best for the future."
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
He also commented on the latest announcement, saying: "I am delighted to welcome back Kimi to the Scuderia with which he was crowned World Champion. I feel extremely happy to have him return to Maranello and very determined to face the work that awaits him in the best way."
Raikkonen commented on the news himself, saying in a surprisingly long statement: "I am really happy to be returning to Maranello where I previously spent three fantastic and very successful years. I have so many memories of my time at Ferrari, memories which have stayed with me these past years, first and foremost, winning the World Championship title in 2007, which was really unforgettable."
He added, "I can’t wait to be driving a Prancing Horse car again and to reacquaint myself with so many people with whom I had such close links, as well as working with Fernando, whom I consider a great driver, in order to bring the team the success it deserves."
The move now opens up another front-running seat at his current team, Enstone based Lotus. It will be interesting to see who they choose to replace him, the team obviously suffering a huge blow from the loss of the Finn.
Hulkenberg is in contention for the seat with question marks also hanging over Grosjean's future at the team after another inconsistent season so far.
However, it will be great to see Raikkonen back in red and battling it out alongside a team-mate widely regarded as F1's fastest current driver. The Finn is never really mentioned as a top three contender alongside Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton but now we will really see if he can beat Alonso in equal machinery.
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