Ferrari confirms Kimi Raikkonen return alongside Fernando Alonso in 2014

Rumours regarding Kimi Raikkonen’s future in Formula 1 have been officially brought to a conclusion, with Ferrari confirming the Finn’s return to the outfit on a two-year deal. This will see Raikkonen replace Felipe Massa next season, as well as partner Fernando Alonso in what will unquestionably be a strong line-up for the Scuderia.

Once Kimi Raikkonen was thwarted by Daniel Ricciardo in the quest for the Red Bull vacancy alongside reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel, rumours stepped up a gear linking the 2007 World Champion with a shock move back to Ferrari. The Finn drove for the Italian outfit between 2007 and 2009, winning nine races and one World Championship. However, towards the end of the 2009 season his relationship within the Scuderia was brought to a premature conclusion when they opted to replace him with two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.

Kimi Raikkonen was an instant success at Ferrari, winning the Championship in 2007.

Although Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo stated back in December that two number one drivers would not be ideal for a team like Ferrari, it seems next season is shaping up to be one of incredible intrigue at the Scuderia as two of the sports most competitive drivers work together at one of the most iconic marques in motorsport. Both drivers made their debuts’ in Formula 1 back in 2001, with Fernando Alonso at Minardi and Kimi Raikkonen at Sauber. Both drivers have enjoyed tremendous success in the sport, and are highly regarded by many within the paddock.

“Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons,” read an official statement from Ferrari on Raikkonen’s return.

The announcement comes amid a huge reshuffle within the driver market, with Mark Webber set to bid the sport farewell at the end of the season and be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. Unless Felipe Massa manages to find a drive elsewhere on the grid for 2014, he too could be set to leave Formula 1 with new faces including Sergey Sirotkin and Antonio Felix da Costa likely to make an appearance at Sauber and Toro Rosso respectively. Nico Hulkenberg is widely tipped to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus, with Romain Grosjean likely to remain at the Enstone-based outfit alongside the German.

This announcement sees Kimi Raikkonen become the first driver to return to Ferrari since Gerhard Berger back in 1993, after the Austrian ace departed from the Scuderia in 1989 to join Ayrton Senna at McLaren. With Kimi Raikkonen regarded as a master of consistency within the paddock, after his record-breaking streak of 25 races within the points for Lotus between 2012 and 2013, the Finn will be looking to excel to the heights of his 2007 competitiveness when he is reunited with the Prancing Horse.

Picture(s) Copyright © Lotus F1 Team & Ferrari