Formula 1 fans have reacted with dismay to reports that Scuderia Ferrari is set to replace Kimi Raikkonen with Charles Leclerc in the team next year.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Charles Leclerc’s move from Sauber is all but confirmed, with Scuderia Farrari expected to make an official announcement any time now saying that the driver will partner Sebastian Vettel in 2019.
While motorsport followers wait for news from the Italian team, a Kimi Raikkonen supporter has started a petition for him to stay at Ferrari – and it’s already attracted more than 42,000 signatures.
Petition creator Christy John posted on Change.org: “Replacing Kimi Raikkonen just because of an existing deal made by the previous Ferrari head is not justifiable while Scuderia, Ferrari’s current head, and Sebastian Vettel need Kimi to keep the balance in the team. Kimi has also outperformed Vettel [a] number of times proving he is back on form and his drive in Monza just adds more credibility to that.”