THANK YOU KIMI
Kimi Raikkonen and Team McLaren Mercedes have enjoyed a successful
relationship for the past five years achieving nine victories,
ten pole positions and scored 321 World Championship points.
Only two drivers in Formula 1 at the moment enjoy longer relationships
with their teams than Kimi and Team McLaren Mercedes.
The team has a number of options for the remaining seat alongside
World Champion Fernando Alonso for 2007 and will make an announcement
prior to the end of the year.
Following today's announcement regarding his future, the
Team would like to thank Kimi for his contribution and wish
him the very best. Whilst Kimi's 2007 plans are now announced
both Kimi and the Team recognise there is still a job to do
this season and will continue to push hard.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
"Whilst I have taken the decision to leave Team McLaren
Mercedes, I want to stress that I really enjoyed my time with
the team. I have the deepest respect for everybody and will
be giving my all in the remaining races."
RON DENNIS, TEAM PRINCIPAL, TEAM McLAREN MERCEDES
"I have enjoyed working with Kimi over the past five
seasons and as a team we have achieved a lot of success. He
is a very special driver and obviously everybody at McLaren
wishes him all the best in his future career. Looking forward
we remain confident that our 2007 line-up will be a strong
and exciting one."
NORBERT HAUG, VICE-PRESIDENT, MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORSPORT
"We worked with Kimi for five years and during
that time he has become a great racing driver. On behalf of
DaimlerChrysler and our premium brand Mercedes-Benz I would
like to thank Kimi for all that he has done for us and I wish
him well for the future. I am sure we will continue to have
great respect for each other and will remain friends."
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