Ferrari has announced that Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team at the end of the Formula 1 season, paving the way for Charles Leclerc to join Sebastian Vettel.
Raikkonen competed for Ferrari between 2007 and 2009, taking the World Championship in his first year with the team, and re-joined the operation for the 2014 campaign.
Raikkonen has played second fiddle to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel since his return to Ferrari and has yet to add to his win tally, taking just two pole positions in five years.
Ferrari nonetheless retained Raikkonen on one-year deals on each occasion but the rise of Leclerc provided the team with a viable alternative for 2019.
Leclerc was highly-rated by Sergio Marchionne, whose tenure as Ferrari Chairman ended in July amid deteriorating health, just days before his death.
Ferrari’s new management group, led by Louis Camilleri, were in attendance at Monza and met with Leclerc, though stressed that there was no timeframe involved in sorting its 2019 line-up.
Ferrari confirmed on Tuesday that Raikkonen’s second stint will conclude at the end of the year, ostensibly bringing down the curtain on the Finn’s time in the championship.
Only Michael Schumacher has started more Grands Prix for Ferrari, while Raikkonen is fifth on the all-time starters list, with 285.
Leclerc is expected to be announced as Vettel’s 2019 team-mate shortly.
"During these years, Kimi’s contribution to the team, both as a driver and on account of his human qualities, has been fundamental," said Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene.
"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."
Discussion about this post