Ferrari tells Kimi Raikkonen to prove himself

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has urged Kimi Raikkonen to prove himself if he wants to remain with the Maranello marque

Manama: Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has urged Kimi Raikkonen to prove himself if he wants to remain with the Maranello marque.


Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. Pic/Getty Images 

Raikkonen's contract finishes at the end of the current Formula One season, although there is an option for 2016 providing both parties are in agreement.

Patchy form
The Finn stated this week he has never been happier working with a team in his entire F1 career, although his form to date has not matched that of teammate Sebastian Vettel.

In particular, Raikkonen has let himself down in qualifying, although has recovered well in the last two races in Malaysia and China to finish fourth.

The 35-year-old has certainly shown he has the speed and, given his state of mind, appears keen on staying.

According to Arrivabene, however, results have to improve.

Ahead of today's Bahrain Grand Prix he said: "You want to know what I said to Kimi?

"He was telling me about the contract and I said to him, 'It depends on your performance'.

"And Kimi, he's the kind of person who appreciates when you're talking with him in a very transparent way and straight to his face.

"Kimi knows it's early to talk about this at the moment, but I'm happy about the performance, he just needs to push and he knows that."

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