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Raikkonen retains Ferrari seat for another season

SPA — Kimi Raikkonen, the oldest driver in Formula One, has unexpectedly clung on with Ferrari for another season in a move that has the sport’s second-oldest driver, Jenson Button, running out of options.

Raikkonen, whose performance has been poor, seems to be in disbelief about his confirmation. Photo: AP

Raikkonen, whose performance has been poor, seems to be in disbelief about his confirmation. Photo: AP

SPA — Kimi Raikkonen, the oldest driver in Formula One, has unexpectedly clung on with Ferrari for another season in a move that has the sport’s second-oldest driver, Jenson Button, running out of options.

Ferrari stunned the paddock by announcing Raikkonen will be retained alongside Sebastian Vettel for 2016, despite months of speculation to the contrary. The 35-year-old Finn has been in poor form since rejoining Ferrari two years ago, and seemed as disbelieving as anyone in the confirmation.

It means that Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, who had been widely tipped to replace his fellow countryman at Ferrari, is likely to stay with the British team, leaving Button with no alternative should McLaren call time on his career. McLaren nearly dropped the 34-year-old last season and have two young chargers waiting in the wings.

Williams had been holding out for about £10 million (S$22 million) to release Bottas from his contract, with rumours that Ferrari thought it too high a price to pay for a driver who has had an unconvincing season. The Scuderia may look again at Bottas for 2017, or perhaps 17-year-old Max Verstappen, who has been taking the sport by storm in his debut year.

Raikkonen was the surprise beneficiary, and his confirmation is expected to trigger other announcements in F1’s silly season.

“What can I say. For me, to be able to stay another year at Ferrari means that the dream goes on,” said Raikkonen. “The Scuderia is my family, as I always said, it’s here I want to end my career. I am more committed than ever and I want to say thank you to the people who gave me this chance.”

Many believe the 2007 world champion has been very fortunate to retain his seat. Last season, he was comprehensively outgunned by Fernando Alonso. This term it has been the same story with Vettel. While the four-time champion has won two races and been on the podium on five other occasions, Raikkonen has just one podium finish to his name. He has less than half Vettel’s points total — 76 to 160.

In the end, Ferrari opted for a fan favourite who insists he has the motivation to recapture his form. Vettel also made clear his preference for keeping his friend Raikkonen to maintain internal harmony. This announcement merely postpones the speculation over who will replace Raikkonen, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo also in the frame.

It all leaves Button, the 2009 world champion, with shrinking possibilities for next year. Unless Williams stun everyone by dropping Felipe Massa, of which there seems almost no chance, then Button is relying on McLaren, who hold all the cards.

Ron Dennis, the McLaren boss, wanted to drop Button last year but was overruled by other shareholders. Dennis is eager to promote youngsters Kevin Magnussen, who drove for McLaren last season, and Stoffel Vandoorne, who has dominated this year’s GP2 championship, the feeder series to F1. Haas, the American outfit, are entering F1 in 2016 but have indicated little interest in Button. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

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