Change at the top of Ferrari increases chance of Kimi Raikkonen staying with the Maranello team. The Finn is entrusted for one more season.

A change at the top of Ferrari indicates continuity in the Formula 1 team with Kimi Raikkonen set to benefit and remain part of the Scuderia setup, according to recent reports in the Italian media.

Chief executive Sergio Marchionne underwent shoulder surgery last month and hasn’t been seen in public since, fuelling speculation over his health. Ferrari’s actions emphasise this with John Elkan, grandson of Gianni Agnelli, taking over the day to day running of the Italian manufacturer in the meantime, handing over more power in Formula 1 decision making to Maurizio Arrivabene. The Scuderia Ferrari team principal is a big fan of Kimi Raikkonen, in contrast to Sergio Marchionne’s preference on handing 20-year-old Monégasque racing driver Charles Leclerc a race seat for the 2019 Formula One season.

With Maurizio Arrivabene calling the shots and the upcoming summer break a key time for teams planning their 2019 line-up, it could be that the Finn is entrusted for one more season. German driver Sebastian Vettel has already gone on record stating his preference for Kimi Raikkonen as a teammate, with a clear power balance between the duo benefitting the German, whereas for Charles Leclerc, another year learning his trade at Sauber is widely considered no bad thing.