Formula 1: Kimi Raikkonen to return to Sauber in 2019

Kimi Raikkonen is set to return to Sauber in the 2019 Formula 1 season after he leaves Ferrari once the 2018 season comes to an end.

After months and months of speculation that he would leave Scuderia Ferrari following the conclusion of the 2018 Formula 1 season, it was finally confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will, in fact, be leaving the Italian team once the season’s final seven races are in the books.

However, the 38-year-old Finn will not be retiring once the 2018 season ends. Instead, he is set to return to Alfa Romeo Sauber in the 2019 season on a two-year deal as the replacement for Charles Leclerc, who is set to replace him at Ferrari beginning next year.

Formula 1 announced this news on their Instagram account.

Raikkonen confirmed this news on his Instagram account.

Raikkonen is currently in his 16th season competing in Formula 1. He has driven in the sport in all but two seasons since the 2001 season, as he did not compete in the 2010 or 2011 seasons.

Raikkonen’s Formula 1 career began in the 2001 season when he signed to drive for Sauber. He has not driven for the team since that season, as he signed with McLaren ahead of the 2002 season. He drove for the team from the 2002 season through the 2006 season before signing with Ferrari ahead of the 2007 season.

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In the 2007 season, Raikkonen secured the Formula 1 championship in his first season driving for Ferrari. He continued to drive for the team through the 2009 season, but he stepped away from Formula 1 altogether after that. As stated above, he did not compete in Formula 1 in 2010 or 2011.

Raikkonen returned to Formula 1 in the 2012 season when he signed to drive for Lotus. He drove for the team in the 2013 season as well. After the 2013 season, he signed a contract to return to Ferrari in the 2014 season, and he has driven for the Italian team ever since.

In 285 career Formula 1 races, Raikkonen has secured 20 victories, 100 podium finishes and 18 pole positions. His most recent win came in the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, as he is currently on a 108-race win drought, which is something that every Formula 1 fan hopes will end before the 2018 season wraps up.

Are you excited that Kimi Raikkonen is set to return to Formula 1 next season despite the fact that he is not set to return as a Ferrari driver? Are you excited that he is set to return to Sauber, the team with which he began his Formula 1 career nearly two decades ago?