Formula 1: Who will be Kimi Raikkonen’s Sauber teammate in 2019?
By Asher Fair
Kimi Raikkonen is set to return to Sauber for the first time since 2001 in the 2019 Formula 1 season. Who will be his teammate next year?
Scuderia Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen is set to be replaced by Alfa Romeo Sauber rookie Charles Leclerc following the conclusion of the 2018 Formula 1 season. As a result, the 38-year-old Finn has signed a two-year contract to drive for Sauber.
Raikkonen made his Formula 1 debut back in the 2001 season, and he drove for Sauber that season. He has not driven for the team since, so his return to the team next year is set to take place after nearly two seasons of him driving for other teams not only in Formula 1 but in other series as well.
However, while Sauber have signed Raikkonen to replace the 20-year-old Monegasque, their entire driver lineup for the 2019 season has not yet been confirmed. Who will be the teammate to the 2007 Formula 1 champion next year?
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Per Sauber’s title sponsorship deal with Alfa Romeo, Ferrari have the right to choose who one of the team’s drivers will be while Sauber have the right to choose who their other driver will be.
In other words, the decision regarding who Sauber’s second driver will be for next year depends upon whether or not Raikkonen is considered Ferrari’s choice or Sauber’s choice.
If Raikkonen is considered Ferrari’s choice, then Sauber will likely re-sign Marcus Ericsson. Ericsson brings substantial financial backing and has driven for the team since the 2015 season. Before this season began, they signed him over the driver who they will likely sign if Raikkonen is considered their choice.
If Raikkonen is considered Sauber’s choice, then the Swiss team will likely sign Antonio Giovinazzi. Ferrari urged them to sign the 24-year-old Italian, who is currently Sauber’s test driver, this season, but as stated above, they decided to re-sign Ericsson instead. They signed Leclerc to be the teammate to the 28-year-old Swede because that is who Ferrari wanted their other driver to be.
Whether or not Raikkonen is officially considered Ferrari’s choice or Sauber’s choice remains to be seen. Either way would make sense seeing as how Ferrari signed the driver who they wanted to sign by signing the 2016 GP3 Series and 2017 Formula 2 champion and Sauber signed an experienced veteran who could very well help them get back to competing in the mid-pack within the next few seasons.
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Who will be Kimi Raikkonen’s Sauber teammate in the 2019 Formula 1 season? Will Sauber re-sign Marcus Ericsson for what would be his fifth consecutive season driving for the team or will they sign Antonio Giovinazzi to his first career Formula 1 contract?