Kimi Raikkonen 7 Support

[darwin dali]

Kimi Raikkonen will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2018 season and return to the Sauber team he started his Formula One career with.

On Tuesday, Ferrari confirmed Raikkonen's departure from the team, followed by the announcement junior driver Charles Leclerc will step up from Sauber in 2019. Raikkonen will go in the other direction, joining the Swiss team on a multi-year deal.
Raikkonen's 2007 world championship remains the last title won by a Ferrari driver in Formula One. His return to the team in 2014 has failed to generate a return to the top step of the podium, although he has scored two pole positions, including at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month.

Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene paid tribute to Raikkonen's legacy at the team.

"During these years, Kimi's contribution to the team, both as a driver and on account of his human qualities, has been fundamental," Arrivabene said in a statement. "He played a decisive role in the team's growth and was, at the same time, always a great team player.

"As a World Champion for Scuderia Ferrari, he will always be part of the team's history and family. We thank Kimi for all of this and wish him and his family a prosperous future."

The move represents a big coup for an ever-improving Sauber team, which this year took on Alfa Romeo title sponsorship as part of a wider partnership with Ferrari.

Sauber boss Frederic Vasseur said: ""Signing Kimi Räikkönen as our driver represents an important pillar of our project, and brings us closer to our target of making significant progress as a team in the near future. Kimi's undoubted talent and immense experience in Formula One will not only contribute to the development of our car, but will also accelerate the growth and development of our team as a whole.

"Together, we will start the 2019 season with a strong foundation, driven by the determination to fight for results that count."

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Kimi's personal car is an Alfa.

[darwin dali]

Not a huge surprise the leaving Ferrari part, not a big surprise to go full circle back to Sauber, a bit of a surprise it's for 2 years.

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There are rumors of Kimi having a stake in Sauber in the future.

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Kimi's back at Sauber:

[darwin dali]

If looks could kill, they probably will...

[sagi58]

Kimi Raikkonen will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2018 season and return to the Sauber team he started his Formula One career with...

[robains]

Sorta of expected Kimi would get the boot, but to be replaced by Leclerc is baffling?? It's gotta be about the money Leclerc (native Monaco resident) will bring to Ferrari, he really hasn't shown much talent ... Sainz would have been a much better option for Ferrari ... perhaps Ferrari don't want a driver that could upset Vettel (he's rather sensitive afterall)?

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They missed the boat with Ricciardo.

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Giovinazzi in P1 to partner Raikkonen at Sauber

https://www.planetf1.com/news/giovinazz ... raikkonen/

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Today is Day 4000 of Kimi's reign as Ferrari champion!

Here he is winning Ferrari's last drivers title.

No end to his reign in sight.

[sagi58]

...No end to his reign in sight.

Mixed emotions...

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[sagi58]

So many classic lines, eh??
A particular favourite: