Ferrari keep Kimi Raikkonen for 2017 F1 season

Kimi Raikkonen will remain with Ferrari for the 2017 Formula One season, the Italian team have announced.

Speculation over Raikkonen's future had intensified in recent weeks, with the Finn only contracted until the end of the current campaign.

However, the 2007 world champion - who is set to feature in his 100th race for Ferrari at this weekend's British Grand Prix - will be kept on for another year at least.

A statement from the team read: "Scuderia Ferrari announces that it has renewed its technical and racing agreement with Kimi Raikkonen.

"The driver line-up for the 2017 racing season will still consist of the Finnish driver and Sebastian Vettel."

Raikkonen sits fourth in the drivers' championship, having collected the same number of points as team-mate Vettel on the back of four podium finishes in nine races.

The 36-year-old, who rejoined Ferrari in 2014 having spent three years at Maranello earlier in his career, said this week: "I feel I drive as well as I've driven for ever. If I wouldn't feel like I'm driving well, I'm the first one to go away and not do it, but it's not that.

"If I wasn't motivated, I wouldn't be here wasting my own time or the team's time."

Daniel Ricciardo had been tipped to replace Raikkonen before recently extending his deal at Red Bull, while Force India team-mates Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg were also touted as potential Ferrari targets.