Ferrari are holding off a new contract with Kimi Raikkonen for next year, saying that it is to ensure the Finnish stays motivated for the current season. Kimi Raikkonen’s deal runs out at the end of this season and Ferrari is still tight lipped about continuing him along-side three time World Champion Vettel.

Ferrari delay Kimi Raikkonen’s deal

Rumours suggested that Kimi’s deal was in danger of not being renewed as he failed to impress against the Mercedes as compared to Vettel in the three opening races for Ferrari. After last weekend’s race at Bahrain, where he outperformed his team mate Vettel by overtaking a rather aggressive Nico Rosberg on the second but last lap to finish second, Kimi has been able to win back some credit from the team.

Ferrari racing boss Maurizio Arrivabene said, “I said to Kimi, ‘Look, it depends on your performance’, and 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 falling asleep”.

Lewis Hamilton has been insisting that he would be signing a deal with Mercedes and that he is only held up by the fine print. Officially he still remains available for the 2016 season to be signed by any team. Even though Arrivabene denies to have approached Lewis, Ferrari may considerhim in case it doesn’t work out for him with Mercedes.

“Kimi is at his best when he is in a bit of trouble. This is a normal psychological approach”, he said. Sources suggest that Arrivabene is inclined to keep both the current drivers as both have developed a good synergy with each other and the team. The team has other options including Valtteri Bottas who was on their radar last year.

The second spot finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix was Kimi’s best result since re-joining Ferrari last season. Ferrari do understand that they are not the quickest yet on the grid however, they have a good package and effort is required to consistently challenge the Mercedes car in each race. Vettel finishing fifth does not speak of their true potential.

Tags: F1, Ferrari, Formula One, Grand Prix, Kimi Raikkonen, Maurizio Arrivabene, Motorsport, Motorsports