From 2014 i will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the… http://t.co/ubhtiS79EE
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) September 10, 2013
With those words from Felipe Massa, a Ferrari driver since 2006, the path for Kimi Raikkonen to join Ferrari has been cleared.
The BBC is reporting Kimi has signed a one year deal for him to join Fernando Alonso next year, with a one year option for 2015. It’s expected Ferrari will announce the signing of the 33-year-old Finn very soon, perhaps in the next 24 hours. Anticipation of Kimi’s return to Ferrari grew after last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. Raikkonen left McLaren to drive with Ferrari from 2007–09 and won his world championship with the team in 2007.
It would appear Ferrari has shifted its philosophy of having a clear number one driver and one wouldn’t be at all surprised if Fernando Alonso is unimpressed with the arrival of his new teammate. Certainly the relationship between Raikkonen and Alonso in 2014 will be one of the stories to follow next season.
Massa, who’s best result with Ferrari was a desperately close second-placed finish in the 2008 world championship, wants to carry on. He added, “For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective!”
[Source: BBC | Pic: Ferrari]
2 replies on “Raikkonen will replace Massa at Ferrari in 2014”
If it wasn’t for Glock letting Hamilton past in 2008, Massa would be champion. Of course there were other things, but seriously – Glock had to go!
[…] As expected Ferrari has announced it has signed Kimi Raikkonen for next year. Slightly against expectations he is signed on a firm two-year contract. “Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons,” a short statement on the Ferrari website confirmed. […]