Raikkonen rejoins Ferrari, Massa exits

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IANS Maranello
Last Updated : Sep 11 2013 | 6:56 PM IST

Formula 1 team Ferrari announced Wednesday that Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen will make a return to the team in 2014.

Raikkonen, who drove for Ferrari from 2007-2009, has signed a two-year deal with the sports' most successful team, ending speculation about his future. The news follows Tuesday's announcement that current Ferrari driver Felipe Massa will exit the Italian outfit at the end of the season.

The 2007 Finnish World Champion will join Fernando Alonso under team principal Stefano Domenicali.

"Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has reached an agreement with Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn will join Fernando Alonso in the driver line-up for the next two racing seasons," said a Ferrari statement Wednesday.

Massa Tuesday revealed on his Twitter account that he will leave the team at the end of the 2013 season. The Brazilian has raced for Ferrari from 2006-2013.

"From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together. Thank you also to my wife and all of my family, to my fans and all my sponsors. From each one of you I have always received a great support," tweeted the 32-year-old Massa.

"Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining seven races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the championship which remains my greatest objective! Thank you all."

In his eight years in Ferrari, Massa won 11 Grands Prix and helped the team clinch two constructors' titles in 2007 and 2008. The Brazilian also narrowly missed out on the 2008 drivers' title, losing to Lewis Hamilton.

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First Published: Sep 11 2013 | 6:52 PM IST

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