Leclerc to drive for Scuderia Ferrari, Raikkonen returns to Sauber

The news is finally out of the bag, with Charles Leclerc replacing Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari in 2019 as four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel’s team-mate.

Charles Leclerc, #16, Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team C37 and Kimi Raikkonen #7, Scuderia Ferrari SF71-H in action during the Formula 1 Pirelli Grand Prix De France 2018, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France. Image credit to Autosport.com.

Raikkonen will be staying in the sport after signing a two-year deal to rejoin Sauber (for the 2019 and 20 seasons), the team where he began his Formula 1 career in 2001 with the deal being an effective straight swap of seats.

“Dreams do come true…” explained Charles Leclerc on Twitter. “I’ll be driving for @scuderiaferrari for the 2019 Formula 1 World Championship. I will be eternally grateful to @scuderiaferrari for the opportunity given.”

Leclerc is a Ferrari Driver Academy graduate who currently drives for the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team (a customer of the Scuderia) after winning the 2017 FIA Formula 2 Championship.

The 20-year-old’s promotion to the works team sees a radical change from Ferrari’s tradition to field a young and an experienced driver.

Leclerc has had a very impressive season so far and it’s understood that prior to his passing in the summer, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne was ready to promote the youngster.

However, after a few difficult campaigns, Raikkonen is enjoying an improved season.

The 38-year-old who was the last driver to win the World Driver’s Championship for the Scuderia in 2007 (his first season in Ferrari colours), currently sits third in the driver’s standings after finishing on the podium six times in the last seven races.

The Finn a week ago qualified on pole at Ferrari’s home Grand Prix a week ago in Monza but there was no confirmation of news that Raikkonen will be kept on meaning his days at Maranello were numbered and Leclerc’s promotion was secured in a meeting at Ferrari’s headquarters on Thursday.

You can read the full statements by Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team here:

http://formula1.ferrari.com/en/charles-leclerc-to-drive-for-scuderia-ferrari-in-2019/

http://formula1.ferrari.com/en/kimi-raikkonen-to-step-down-at-the-end-of-2018/

https://www.sauberf1team.com/news/kimi-raikkonen-to-race-for-the-alfa-romeo-sauber-f1-team-from-2019-2