Monza, Italy (My Sportsbook) - Defending Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen will continue to drive for Ferrari after extending his contract with the Italian team through the 2010 season.
"I am happy to be part of this team, otherwise I wouldn't have signed," Raikkonen said. "There's a good atmosphere between us all, and I continue to enjoy the driving. So it was definitely not a difficult choice to stay for one more year. Even in the most difficult moments, we have continued to work hard and now we are moving in the right direction. I am sure the results will also come soon."
Ferrari's driver lineup will remain unchanged for the next two years, with Raikkonen's teammate, Felipe Massa, also under contract for the same period. Raikkonen's contract extension ends speculation that the "Iceman" may retire from F1 at the end of the season.
Raikkonen joined Ferrari from McLaren in 2007. After trailing 17 points with two races remaining in the season, he ended up capturing his first F1 title by only one point over then McLaren teammates Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
Raikkonen is currently fourth in the World Championship standings, 19 points behind leader Hamilton.
Last Sunday, Hamilton and Raikkonen were involved in an epic late-race battle that sparked a controversial finish in the Belgian Grand Prix. Hamilton was originally declared the winner at the 4.352-mile Spa-Francorchamps circuit, but race stewards penalized the Hamilton 25 seconds for cutting a chicane and gaining an advantage on then-leader Raikkonen with three laps to go.
Massa crossed the finish line second but was credited with the victory after Hamilton was dropped to third place. Nick Heidfeld moved up to second.
In preparation for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, Raikkonen turned in the fastest time during Friday's second practice. His lap of 1 minute, 23.861 seconds was slightly faster than Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld from BMW Sauber. The first practice in the morning was rained out.
The start of the Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday around 8:00 am (ET).
