©WRI
Following Kimi Raikkonen's departure from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo Sauber has announced that the Finn with return in 2019 to the team where it all started for him in 2001.
"The Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team is delighted to announce that Kimi Räikkönen will join the team from 2019. The 2007 Formula One World Champion has signed for the next two seasons," the Swiss outfit said in a statement.
"Signing Kimi Räikkönen as our driver represents an important pillar of our project, and brings us closer to our target of making significant progress as a team in the near future," added Sauber team boss Frédéric Vasseur.
"Kimi’s undoubted talent and immense experience in Formula One will not only contribute to the development of our car, but will also accelerate the growth and development of our team as a whole.
"Together, we will start the 2019 season with a strong foundation, driven by the determination to fight for results that count."
Raikkonen spent his formative first year in F1 with Sauber in 2001, graduating to the big time with just 23 race starts under his belt, having previously raced in Formula Ford and in British Formula Renault.
Raikkonen left Sauber after a single year when he was recruited by McLaren boss Ron Dennis. His first career win in F1 came the following season in 2003 when he won the Malaysian Grand Prix for the Woking-based outfit.
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Isack Hadjar is preparing for his first full season with Red Bull Racing, and that…
François Cevert - seen here trying for size his future Tyrrell 005 at the British…
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton isn’t just revving up for a new Formula 1 season…
Former F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone and Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore may have mellowed with…
Cadillac hasn’t started a Formula 1 race yet – but the meter is allegedly already…
Mercedes’ F1 customer teams are poised to receive a timely boost ahead of the season-opening…