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Ferrari has admitted Kimi Raikkonen's future remains uncertain beyond the end of his 2016 contract. However, one impeccable source close to the Maranello team insists the Finn looks set to stay. "I can confirm that the renewal of Kimi's contract is approaching," Leo Turrini, a well-known Italian blogger, is quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV.
But Raikkonen, 36, has had up and down form so far in 2016, including being penalised for crossing the pit entry line on Sunday and then being passed by Sergio Perez for the podium. Indeed, Mexican Perez - a former Ferrari development driver - has been on the podium twice in the last three races and is now linked with a return to Maranello.
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Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene was asked by a courageous reporter on Sunday if team backer Carlos Slim, who also backs Force India's Perez, will be pleased with Perez's recent performances. "I do not understand your question and what you mean about Carlos Slim," he said. "His company is a Ferrari sponsor, period."
As for Raikkonen's performance in Baku, his pit entry line mistake cost him a penalty and he was not able to stop Perez from beating him to the podium. "Kimi's mistake? Unfortunately it happened," Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne, in Baku for the race, said. Arrivabene added: "Raikkonen was passed by the Force India in the end because of the fuel consumption."
And when asked about Raikkonen's future, he answered: "It makes no sense yet to talk about next season, because it benefits nobody and the end of this championship is still so far away. Kimi is totally focused on his work and today he demonstrated that he is a good teammate for Sebastian. Kimi did a good job but we are in no hurry to make any decisions. Today both drivers drove well but we need to improve our car," Arrivabene added.
Marchionne added: "We are still clarifying but the focus at the moment is on supporting our pilots unconditionally. Kimi is a world champion and very experienced and his future depends entirely on himself." (GMM)
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (3)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
As long as they wont repeat McLaren's mistake with Button that should be no problem.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Kimi drove the balls out of car, the penalty was moronic to start with, why couldn't they extend the white line all the way up into Charlie Whiting's butt hole? Seriously.
Fuel consumption issues are very telling, the new found power increase is coming at the cost of efficiency...
Vet5
Posts: 225
Kimi's penalty was beyond stupid! I noticed a far cars do the same but they just managed to move over slightly and they were let off, Ric and Ves done it. Kimi is still a good driver, its just Ferrari need to create a better car handling wise, Kimi always likes a car with more front end grip and he has improved since 2014 and 2015 due to the change of suspension layout