Set to announce driver line-upKimi Raikkonen chased
Michael Schumacher across the line today at Monza and minutes later Schumacher had confirmed his retirement from the sport at the end of the season while Ferrari announced that Raikkonen will join the team on a three-year
deal. The following is a press release from McLaren Mercedes:
Kimi Raikkonen and Team McLaren Mercedes have enjoyed a successful relationship for the past five years achieving nine victories, ten pole positions and scored 321 World Championship points. Only two drivers in Formula 1 at the moment enjoy longer relationships with their teams than Kimi and Team McLaren Mercedes.
The team has a number of options for the remaining seat alongside World Champion
Fernando Alonso for 2007 and will make an announcement prior to the end of the year.
Following today's announcement regarding his future, the Team would like to thank Kimi for his contribution and wish him the very best. Whilst Kimi's 2007 plans are now announced both Kimi and the Team recognise there is still a job to do this season and will continue to push hard.
Kimi Raikkonen "Whilst I have taken the decision to leave Team McLaren Mercedes, I want to stress that I really enjoyed my time with the team.
I have the deepest respect for everybody and will be giving my all in the remaining races."
Ron Dennis, McLaren Mercedes Team Principal
"I have enjoyed working with Kimi over the past five seasons and as a team we have achieved a lot of success. He is a very special driver and obviously everybody at McLaren wishes him all the best in his future career. Looking forward we remain confident that our 2007 line-up will be a strong and exciting one."
Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz VP
"We worked with Kimi for five years and during that time he has become a great racing driver. On behalf of DaimlerChrysler and our premium brand Mercedes-Benz I would like to thank Kimi for all that he has done for us and I wish him well for the future. I am sure we will continue to have great respect for each other and will remain friends."
Source McLaren Mercedes
