Räikkönen raced for Ferrari between 2007 and 2009, claiming his first F1 drivers' title during his first season with the team.
Following two years out of Formula 1, rallying with Citroen in the WRC; and a two-year stint with Lotus F1 Team, Räikkönen re-joined Ferrari at the start of 2014, but could manage only 12th in the drivers' standings.
Räikkönen, stayed with Ferrari in 2015 but has been outpaced by new team-mate Vettel, as rumours linked Valtteri Bottas with a switch to the team.
However, Ferrari has confirmed that it has opted their option in Räikkönen's contract to retain him for another season.
Overall, a decision nonetheless from Ferrari to keep Kimi Räikkönen for another season. In my opinion, I wouldn't retain Räikkönen and would have gone for Valtteri Bottas instead. As I felt that Bottas would have been a better option for the future for Ferrari. My guess that Ferrari couldn't get Bottas for now as he's contracted to Williams for the 2016 Season, 2017 could be another story as Bottas would be available. Also, I believe Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari Technical director James Allison wanted the 2007 Champion to stay it was maybe the only option to keep Räikkönen another season at least.
Now with Kimi Räikkönen staying at Ferrari for another season. Who goes where in 2016. With Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Sauber are more than likely to retain their drivers for 2016. And McLaren will likely to keep Fernando Alonso for another season. The second seat is the question with either McLaren will retain Jenson Button or promoted Stoffel Vandoorne to a McLaren drive for 2016. Because if Jenson Button isn't retain I believe the 2009 F1 Champion will retire from Formula 1. If Stoffel Vandoorne isn't promoted, where do you place him for 2016, maybe a drive at Manor perhaps, as Manor could be McLaren B-team with Honda power maybe.
As for McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen, my guess he will leave McLaren to get a full time drive in Formula 1 with Force India next season alongside Sergio Perez.
Then its Lotus, rumours that Renault may buy back their old team for 2016. Will they retain Pastor Maldonado alongside Romain Grosjean if its stays as Lotus. Possibility as his brings in sponsorship. But, if Renault does return to Lotus, Pastor Maldonado will possibly leave the team.
And then there is new boys Hass, and with Hass being supplied with power units from Ferrari making them a B-team to Ferrari, Ferrari reverse driver Esteban Gutiérrez will get one of the seats with sponsorship from Mexico as-well. I am predicting their second driver will be none other than Nico Hülkenberg as the team will be Ferrari B-team, and if Räikkönen isn't retain for 2017. Hülkenberg could have the hot seat at Ferrari for 2017. If Hülkenberg isn't going to Hass I wouldn't be surprise that Romain Grosjean might get the seat instead, if Renault doesn't return to Lotus for 2016.
Those are just a few of my predictions who will going were in 2016. And some of that will be confirmed in the weeks to come.
End of post for now, new post soon, bye.
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