Vettel backs Raikkonen to stay at Ferrari for 2016
Sebastian Vettel has publicly supported Kimi Raikkonen’s bid to remain with Ferrari, as speculation mounts over the Finn’s future and rival drivers circle for his seat.
Sebastian Vettel has made clear he wants Kimi Raikkonen to remain his team-mate at Ferrari in 2016, as the Italian team weighs whether to extend the Finn’s expiring contract amid mounting speculation over his future.
Raikkonen, who rejoined Ferrari in 2014 and won the world championship with the team in 2007, has faced renewed scrutiny after a series of mistakes and inconsistent results. His contract includes an option for the 2016 season, but Ferrari has not confirmed whether it will be exercised. Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has said Raikkonen’s fate depends on his performance, making clear that “results are king” and that the Finn must prove he deserves to stay.
Several drivers have been linked as possible replacements, including Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull. Arrivabene confirmed that a number of drivers have contacted Ferrari about the seat, with Bottas named as “just one of many”.
Vettel values Raikkonen’s approach
Despite the pressure, Vettel has offered strong public backing for Raikkonen. Speaking at Silverstone, Vettel described Raikkonen as “very straight” and said he values the Finn’s no-nonsense attitude. “There is no bull***t with him and that is the quality I really enjoy,” Vettel said, adding that he has learned from Raikkonen’s different approach and finds their on-track battle a good challenge.
Vettel also pushed back against the suggestion that Raikkonen is in a ‘negative period’, arguing that all drivers experience tough spells and that Raikkonen remains a champion who “knows what he is doing”. He said he would not be giving Raikkonen any advice and insisted the Finn should not be written off after a handful of difficult races.
Ferrari management weighs options
Behind the scenes, Ferrari’s management faces a decision over whether to trigger Raikkonen’s option for 2016 or pursue one of several available alternatives. Arrivabene and Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne are understood to be considering the team’s direction, with performance the decisive factor. Arrivabene has alternated between praise and criticism of Raikkonen, acknowledging both his past achievements and his recent mistakes in races such as Canada and Austria.
- Raikkonen’s fate will be decided based on his results in the remaining races.
- Ferrari has received interest from multiple drivers for the 2016 seat.
- Team stability and driver relationships may influence the final decision.
While Vettel’s support for Raikkonen is clear, Ferrari’s leadership has not indicated when a final decision will be made. For more on Raikkonen’s contract situation, seeRaikkonen Leaves Ferrari 2016 Option in Team’s Hands.
