Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Sauber, Leclerc, dailycarblog.com
Kimi Raikkonen Out, Charles Le-rookie-clerc In For The Scuderia
Formula One

Kimi Raikkonen is set to leave Ferrari at the end of the 2018 season to make way for what is one of the next generation of future F1 stars. Charles Leclerc will join Ferrari in 2019 as teammate to Sebastian Vettel. The 20-year-old native of Monaco has impressed in the Ferrari powered Sauber. Sauber is effectively Ferrari’s B-squad in all but name. Leclerc’s promotion ends Raikkonen’s five-year tenure at Ferrari.

Leclerc has been lined up as a replacement for Kimi Raikkonen for some months. The late Ferrari CEO, Sergio Marchionne, last directive was for Leclerc to replace Raikkonen. However, the deal wasn’t completed due to his untimely death. The final decision was delayed due to indecision within Ferrari. Ferrari’s senior management was keen on extending Raikkonen’s contract for one more year. The feeling was that Leclerc required more experience. Leclerc, who is in his rookie season, has seen his personal stock rise with impressive performances for Sauber. The move from Sauber to Ferrari is most probably designed to ward off potential suitors from poaching Leclerc. Raikkonen entered F1 in 2001, he won his only world championship in 2007 when he drove for the Scuderia between 2007 and 2009. Ferrari hasn’t won a championship since. Between 2010-2012 Raikkonen took a break from F1 to compete in the World Rally Championship. Upon his return to the sport in 2012 Raikkonen joined the then Lotus F1 team, securing a win before switching back to Ferrari for the second time in 2014. The 2018 season has seen Kimi Raikkonen driving faster than ever and he is a very close match for Vettel in terms of outright speed. During his 15-year F1 career, Raikkonen has notched up 20 wins and 100 podiums thus far. However, a sporting career is always short so never be surprised when a sportsman retires. Only Kimi Raikkonen looks set to drive for at least two more years when he rejoins Sauber in 2019. Only the very best drivers survive 15 years in Formula 1, many others will come and go but very few last as long.  Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Sauber, Leclerc, dailycarblog.com
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