Quote:
Originally Posted by E90SLAM
Ferrari retains Kimi Raikkonen for 2016
http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/...raikkonen-2016
Ferrari has confirmed Kimi Raikkonen will stay on as Sebastian Vettel's team-mate for 2016, ending months of speculation about the Finn's future.
Raikkonen has only scored one podium this season, a stark contrast to Sebastian Vettel's five and two victories. Despite having an option for a third season next year the Finn's poor form, which has carried over from his return to Ferrari in 2014, has led to speculation Ferrari would not retain him for another season.
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas was most heavily linked to Raikkonen's seat at Ferrari in recent months and looked the most likely to be signed if the 2007 world champion was not retained. Raikkonen was believed to be key to the 2016 drivers market, as his departure from Ferrari would have led to a raft of movement across the grid.
In a press release on Wednesday, Ferrari said: "Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The driver line-up next season will still consist of the Finnish driver and Sebastian Vettel."
The news comes ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, where Raikkonen has tasted victory four times before in his career.
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If Raikkonen is staying, means Bottas is staying at Williams. So if Mercedes want Pascal Wehrlein in F1 that leaves only Force India to go.