Räikkönen will still race in the sport, agreeing to return to his first F1 team with Sauber on a two-year deal with the Swiss based team. By the end of his new contract in 2020, Kimi will have turned 41 years old.
Sauber gave the Finn his first F1 drive in 2001, ending the year tenth overall in the drivers’ championship which led to a move to McLaren F1 Team for the following year, claiming 20 wins, 100 podiums and 18 pole positions to date.
Sauber Team principal Frédéric Vasseur welcomes Kimi back to the team as a signing to help the team progress into the future for 2019.
“Signing Kimi Räikkönen as our driver represents an important pillar of our project, and brings us closer to our target of making significant progress as a team in the near future,”said Vasseur
“Kimi’s undoubted talent and immense experience in Formula One will not only contribute to the development of our car, but will also accelerate the growth and development of our team as a whole.
“Together, we will start the 2019 season with a strong foundation, driven by the determination to fight for results that count.”
Räikkönen’s team-mate for 2019 is yet to be confirmed, with the likelihood of being either Marcus Ericsson or Antonio Giovinazzi.
The Checkered Flag