Ferrari Renews Kimi Raikkonen's Contract for 2018 Season
Despite Team Principal Sergio Marchionne labeling Kimi Raikkonen a "laggard" and questioning his role in the team's future back in July during the Austrian Grand Prix, the Finn will continue racing for Ferrari in the 2018 motorsport season.
Raikkonen's recent string of impressive results, including a pair of podium finishes at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix, secured his place with the iconic Italian team. The new contract will mark his fifth campaign driving for Ferrari and make him the second-oldest driver in the team's history.
With 227 Grand Prix starts under his belt (second only to Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa), Raikkonen's induction into the Maranello-based team will bridge the gap between his rich history and Ferrari's illustrious past.
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The history of Ferrari can be traced back to 1947, when the iconic factory gates first witnessed the departure of the 125 S, the team's first Formula One car. Since that momentous day, the Italian marque has captured over 5,000 victories across various competition classes.
However, Raikkonen's presence in the 2018 season may not solely be due to his recent podium appearances. As the team gears up to welcome Charles Leclerc as a new driver partnering with Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari saw the opportunity to provide the younger driver with a formidable rival and keep their sights on the F1 titles.
As Raikkonen prepares to commence his fifth stint with Ferrari, he has plenty of reasons to look back on his past achievements, celebrated by prominent owners such as Steve McQueen and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
