Source: Sauber F1 Team

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Sauber happy with Raikkonen: It's a huge push

Sauber happy with Raikkonen: "It's a huge push"

15-09-2018 09:37
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur is very happy with the signing of Kimi Raikkonen for next season onwards, as the Finn is part of a "huge push" that the team is planning to make.

Many people were very surprised when Ferrari announced a swap deal with Sauber, sending Charles Leclerc the Italians' way for Kimi Raikkonen, who signed for two years at the Swiss team.

While it was well-known that Raikkonen still had a good connection with Sauber, as he made his F1-debut there back in 2001, the Finn had also revealed on multiple occasions that he intended to retire at Ferrari. Him signing at Sauber for two whole years, needless to say, kind of contradicts that.

Still, Sauber are very happy with the Ice Man, as they believe he will help propel the team forward.

“For the team, we are building up every single department and I think he will be very supportive in the process,” Vasseur told RaceFans.

“I think from aero to design office to track engineering, tyre management, I think everybody in the team is more than welcome to have Kimi on board in the future - it's a step forward for us for sure.

"This is on the technical side and on the more marketing and commercial side, for sure it’s a huge push and if you have a look at what we had last week in terms of social media, so it was probably the first time in our lives that we have so many connections."

Who will be Raikkonen's teammate is still unclear. Marcus Ericsson, who currently occupies the seat, is in the running, but so is Ferrari junior driver Antonio Giovinazzi. Stoffel Vandoorne was a candidate at first, but Vasseur already shut those rumours down a while ago.

“After Singapore we will sit down with all the persons involved in the discussions and we will take a decision quite soon,” Vasseur continued.

“I think it’s also good for the team to have a clear answer but it will be soon.”