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Ferrari to Delay New Raikkonen Deal

Ferrari are holding off signing a new contract with Kimi Raikkonen, saying the reason is to ensure the Finnish driver stays motivated this season.

His deal runs out this year and Ferrari have an option to retain the 35-year-old alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2016.

Team boss Maurizio Arrivabene said: “He has demonstrated he’s a great driver so if you’re asking now if he deserves to renew the option, I’m going to say yes.

“But if I’m going to say yes, I don’t want a driver to fall asleep.”

Arrivabene was talking after Raikkonen’s best performance so far this season, a second place behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain on Sunday.

Raikkonen was outperformed comprehensively by then team-mate Fernando Alonso in 2014, but has been much more competitive with Vettel this season following Alonso’s move to McLaren.

 

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Ihesiulo Grace

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