Kimi Räikkönen’s split has been confirmed

Kimi Räikkönen will depart Ferrari at the end of the 2018 Formula 1 season, the team has officially confirmed.

He quickly announced on his Instagram account that he will join Alfa-Romeo Sauber on a two-year deal, followed by the tean’s official confirmation.

As expected, Charles Leclerc will replace Räikkönen at Ferrari.

The 38-year-old Finn began his second stint at Ferrari in 2014 having left Lotus – but he has failed to win a race since rejoining the Scuderia. His last victory was with Lotus in the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.

Räikkönen is the most recent driver to win an F1 World Championship title for Ferrari, having triumphed in the 2007 season.

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Read more: MPH: Why Kimi’s second chance at Ferrari could soon end

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Currently third in the drivers’ standings, Räikkönen began his F1 career with Sauber in 2001, moved to McLaren and challenged Renault’s Fernando Alonso for the title in 2005. He won his sole F1 championship two years later, in his debut season with Ferrari.

Maurizio Arrivabene, Ferrari’s team principal, said: “During these years, Kimi’s contribution to the team, both as a driver and on account of his human qualities, has been fundamental. He played a decisive role in the team’s growth and was, at the same time, always a great team player. 

“As a world champion for Scuderia Ferrari, he will always be part of the team’s history and family. We thank Kimi for all of this and wish him and his family a prosperous future.”