1
Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne says that Kimi Raikkonen could be replaced at Ferrari in 2019 if the team can't unlock his form. Marchionne believes that the Iceman still posses raw speed, but needs a car that works for him.
Raikkonen extended his contract with Ferrari in August earlier this year, keeping him at the team for at least one more season. The 2007 world champion rejoined the Maranello squad in 2014, but has since played second fiddle to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
Marchionne stated at Ferrari's annual pre-Christmas dinner that Raikkonen must impress in 2018, or otherwise face the danger of being replaced: "My personal opinion is that if we find the right key, Raikkonen drives like a God," Marchionne said. "But we need to find it.
"When things go right, it's a pleasure see him driving. He has an incredible coldness. Otherwise, in other moments it seems like he takes a break. He needs more consistency in terms of performance, but it's important to find the right key to make him driving like in Monaco also on other circuits.
"Probably this is the last season to find the right key and we must do it. I think that would be a shame if he would leave F1 without showing his real potential."
With Raikkonen being the oldest driver in the field, Marchionne said that Ferrari is likely to take on a younger driver when the time comes for Raikkonen to move on. The Italian squad possesses young talent in Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi.
"We see Leclerc, [Max] Verstappen and Giovinazzi, drivers with great skills, who can deliver a big change in the driver market," Marchionne acknowledged. "I'm still happy to have chosen Leclerc. I think that if we can not find the right key for Raikkonen, the choice will fall on a young driver."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
710,146 comments on Red Bull Racing
958 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
476,262 comments on Ferrari 274 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Ferrari
G. Zhou
Replies (1)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
psst... Raikkonen has been pure mediocrity since 2014. He will do another mediocre year in 2018, he will probably get another year extension, after another mediocre year were Ferrari fail to win a championship