Ferrari has confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will continue to race for the team in Formula 1 next season, ending speculation over his future in the sport.
Raikkonen made his Formula 1 debut with Sauber in 2001 before a five-year spell with McLaren, in which he competed for the championship, twice finishing runner-up in the standings.
Raikkonen switched to Ferrari for 2007 and clinched the title in his first year with the squad, but departed at the end of 2009, bringing his time in Formula 1 to a halt.
Following a stint in the World Rally Championship, Raikkonen returned to Formula 1 with Lotus in 2012, taking two wins, and re-joined Ferrari for 2014.
In his second spell with Ferrari, Raikkonen has taken 11 podium finishes, and one pole position, which he achieved in Monaco this season.
Raikkonen was given a hurry-up call by Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne earlier this season but was expected to stay at the team for a further year, and Ferrari duly confirmed in a short statement on Tuesday that it has retained Raikkonen for 2018.
"Ferrari announces that Scuderia Ferrari has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen," read the brief statement.
"The Finnish driver will therefore race for the Maranello team in the 2018 Formula One World Championship."
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel, in the final season of a three-year deal, is expected to stay on into the future.
Raikkonen currently holds fifth in the standings, 86 points behind team-mate Vettel.
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