Kimi Raikkonen eyes next year after average season

However, that is not enough for the former world champion, who has not been pleased with his own performance and that of his auto.

Maurizio Arrivabene has defended Ferrari’s decision to keep Kimi Raikkonen on board for the 2016 Formula One season.

But Raikkonen has continued to lag behind his team-mate in the second half of the season and Ferrari are already weighing up their options for 2017, with Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen said to be at the top of their wish list.

Raikkonen has collected just 135 points thus far this season in comparison to the 266 of Vettel, with Vettel managing three race wins and a further 10 podium finishes.

Raikkonen was in danger of losing his seat with the Italian outfit but Ferrari have retained their faith in the Finn by extending his contract until the end of next season.

Asked to describe his 2015 season, Raikkonen, in typically blunt fashion, responded: “Pretty average”.

“We have good memories from a year ago, everyone in the team was so happy, it was a really special feeling after such a hard season in 2013 to confirm third in the constructors’ and my fourth place in the drivers’championship”.

“We have made big steps this year”, he said.

“You maybe didn’t like Magny Cours, I liked it, not many people, quiet, easy”.

He added: “Next year the aim is always to be at the front and Mercedes have been very strong for the last few years and everyone else is trying to beat them. Is it going to happen next year, are we going to be in a position next year?” he pondered.

“So we have to improve and I’m sure we can”. “We hope so, at least”.

“But that’s life and next year we’ll try again”. “But we have to put the vehicle on the track and then see where we are”. There’s been a lot of work being done at the factory, numbers and stuff, but it’s never the same until you’re on the circuit and you can see it well or feel it whether it’s going to be a good one.