Kimi Raikkonen has to earn a new contract with Ferrari, according to Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene.
After taking his first podium finish of the season last weekend in Bahrain, Raikkonen revealed last week that he was enjoying life at Ferrari, and admitted the team had the option to sign him for another season, but speaking on Reuters, Arrivabene revealed that it was not that simple.
Arrivabene admits that a deal with Raikkonen could be close, but he wants to see the Kimi Raikkonen of old and the Kimi Raikkonen of Bahrain more often before they seal the deal.
“Every driver here in the paddock wants to drive for Ferrari, this is normal,” said Arrivabene. “Even guys that were quite a lot of time world champion. I’m happy with the drivers that we have.
“This does not mean that I am going to sign with Kimi tomorrow. We are very clear. I repeat again: I said to Kimi, ‘look, It depends on your performance’ and he has demonstrated that he’s a great driver. So if you ask me now, does he deserve to renew the option, now today I am going to say yes.
“But if I am going to say yes, I don’t want the driver to fall asleep. So I want to keep him up. Kimi is giving the best when he is a bit in trouble.
“This is a psychological approach. So the paper at the moment is white. Sometimes I have to take the pen, then take it back. And Kimi is going to the podium.”
