Johannesburg: Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne has clarified that the contract extension of Kimi Raikkonen will not be affected by a sexual assault case involving the Formula One driver.
It is learnt that Raikkonen had filed a police complaint after a woman had accused him of sexually assaulting her in Montreal at the 2016 Canadian Grand Prix.
However, Marchionne insisted that Raikkonen is not involved in the least in the case, adding that Ferrari are primarily focusing on his on-track performance to decide his future.
“Kimi has nothing to do with this story. As to how it will affect his contract, then in any case they are two completely unrelated things,” Sport24 quoted Marchionne, as saying.
Raikkonen’s contract with Ferrari is set to expire at the end of the season, with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo or Sauber’s Charles Leclerc are speculated to be lined up to partner Sebastian Vettel next season.
The Finnish driver has enjoyed an impressive form for Ferrari this year, having secured three podium finishes to secure fifth spot in the driver’s standings. (ANI)