Formula 1: Assessing Ferrari’s top 5 driver options for 2019
By Asher Fair
There is uncertainty as to who Scuderia Ferrari’s second driver will be in the 2019 Formula 1 season. Here are their top five best and most reasonable options.
Scuderia Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen is in his 16th season as a full-time Formula 1 driver since he began driving in the sport back in 2001. Since 2001, he has driven in every Formula 1 season as a full-time driver except for the 2010 season and the 2011 season.
Raikkonen, 38, is also in his eighth season driving for Ferrari in Formula 1. He drove for the team from the 2007 season to the 2009 season before he left Formula 1 for two seasons. Ever since returning to the sport in the 2012 season and driving for Lotus in both the 2012 season and the 2013 season, he has driven for Ferrari.
The 2018 season is Raikkonen’s fifth straight season driving for Ferrari since he returned to the team in the 2014 season, and he is driving for the team on a one-year deal for the third consecutive season. However, there are questions as to whether or not he will end up getting a fourth one-year deal to remain with the team in the 2019 season.
Ferrari are one of only two teams that have confirmed one of their drivers for the 2019 season. They signed four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel to a contract through the 2020 season last year.
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing are the only other team that have confirmed one of their drivers for the 2019 season, as they signed Max Verstappen to a contract through the 2020 season last year as well.
While Ferrari are at an advantage in that they are one of only two teams who know for sure who one of their two drivers will be next season, the uncertainty surrounding Raikkonen’s current seat is perhaps more intriguing than the uncertainty surrounding any other open seat.
Here are Ferrari’s top five best and most reasonable options for Raikkonen’s seat in the 2019 season. They are not discussed in any particular order.