However, Ferrari announced on Wednesday that the taciturn Finn, whose contract was due to run out at the end of the year, would be staying as team mate to four times world champion Sebastian Vettel.
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The Finn has only 76 points compared to Vettel’s 160 after 10 races this season.
There had been speculation about the future of the ex-drivers’ champion after a poor campaign this year.
Bottas played down his links to Ferrari this week and said his focus was on signing a new deal with Williams.
– Reuters pic, August 19, 2015.Ferrari’s Formula One driver lineup will remain unchanged next season after the Italian glamour team ended uncertainty surrounding Kimi Raikkonen today.
“There are a few good options out there, and I’m pretty confident I can put something good together and that I’ll be here next year in a good vehicle”.
Bottas had been among a list of drivers Ferrari had considered following concerns that Raikkonen’s form, particularly during qualifying, had been less than impressive.
The team have to decided to reward Raikkonen for his efforts, despite a season which has seen his team-mate, Vettel romp to victory twice whereas Kimi has only been on the podium once, let alone the top step.
We’re talking about Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, Williams’ Valtteri Bottas and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, though none of them are going to switch over to the “red team” for at least another year.
Raikkonen himself said: “What can I say… I am more committed than ever and I want to say thank you to the people who gave me this chance”, Kimi is quoted as saying on Ferrari’s official site. Pure talent tends to ensure a de-facto No 1 driver in a team but the process of natural selection goes a step further at Ferrari, thanks to the awesome commitment and political skills their superstars also tend to possess.
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Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, however, has long stated Raikkonen’s future was in his own hands, and that provided he showed enough desire and performed to a high enough level.
