Prost backs Raikkonen's new Ferrari deal

Jul.20 - F1 legend Alain Prost has backed Ferrari's decision to stick with Kimi Raikkonen.

Finn Raikkonen's new contract for 2017 has been controversial, given the fact younger chargers like Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo or Romain Grosjean were reportedly keen to join the fabled Maranello marque.

But Prost, who was actually fired by Ferrari in his second season with the team in 1991, backed the Scuderia's call.

"Kimi is an icon in formula one and the sport needs personalities like that," the Frenchman told Canal Plus.

"My view is that Ferrari's decision to extend his contract was quite logical, especially given the rule change that is coming.

"It would have been too disturbing to have another driver, and a younger one too, when they are still trying to rebuild the team with Sebastian Vettel," Prost added.

"As we saw at Silverstone, Ferrari is now the third force behind Red Bull and more difficult for them. They were fighting with Force India all race so they have a lot to do and they need some stability and calm because they are not at the level they should be.

"So I think it's not a bad decision to keep Kimi for another year," Prost said.

About the author

Leopold

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

Related topics