Raikkonen's manager explains Sauber decision

Kimi Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson has explained some of the reasons that the Finnish driver has chosen to rejoin Sauber following Ferrari axe...

The news was announced last week that Raikkonen would be replaced by Charles Leclerc at Ferrari next season, with the 38-year-old going in the opposite direction to rejoin a team he was at all those years ago.

Robertson revealed that Raikkonen's decision to stay on and compete in Formula One was down to his pure adoration of the sport that he has been racing in for the best part of 17 years now.

"People are surprised because, having driven for Ferrari for so many years, most expected him to retire, sit on his yacht and enjoy the rest of his life, but he loves F1, he likes to go to the limit," Robertson told Autosport.

"Once we knew that I was not going to continue at Ferrari, I wanted to find an agreement."

Many people have questioned Raikkonen's choice to move back to Sauber, but his manager believes his client is making the correct decision.

"You have to look at the team situation, now you have some sponsors, two years ago, would you have gone there?" Robertson asked. "First, it's a pilot that could not have been allowed, and second, it was a sinking ship.

"They have now signed Kimi a top driver champion and show their intention, they want to be. They could have chosen a pilot payment."