'Raikkonen could drive Sauber in 2018'

Kimi Raikkonen could drive Sauber machinery before the year is through, with Motorsport reporting the Finn has undergone a seat fitting with his 2019 employers, fuelling rumours that he will test their car. Charles Leclerc was in the cockpit for Ferrari last week ahead of his move to the Scuderia next year.

Ferrari and Mercedes tested 2019 compounds at Paul Ricard Circuit last week, while Sauber will test in Mexico City at the end of October.

With Leclerc and Raikkonen swapping sets next year, it would make sense for the Finn to get used to Sauber's car and mechanics as Leclerc did last week.

Raikkonen surprised many when he opted to remain in F1, having been linked with retirement, but the Iceman's passion for racing remains strong.

"Kimi wants to drive F1 cars, he loves it," Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said. "People are surprised because having driven for Ferrari for so many years most people expected him to retire, sit on his yacht, and enjoy the rest of his life.

"But he loves driving F1 cars, he gets a buzz from that. Kimi loves being on the edge. If he's not doing this he wants to ride motocross, but this is the pinnacle for him.

"And once we knew that it wasn't going to happen at Ferrari, he wanted to do a deal.

"I think you have to look at the situation of Sauber as well. They have some backers now.

"Two years ago, would he have gone there when the team was hanging on? Firstly they couldn't even have afforded him, and secondly it was a ship that was sinking.

"Now they've taken on Kimi, an A-lister in F1, a world champion, and it shows their intent, where they want to be.

"They could have taken a driver that brings in money. At the end of the day two parties want the same thing. He wants to help them."

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