Ferrari confirmed its 2014 driver lineup this morning, ending weeks of speculation and signing Kimi Räikkönen for the next two years. The Finnish driver returns to the team where he spent his 2007 to 2009 seasons and claimed the drivers title in his initial year. Ferrari made the announcement following Felipe Massa's tweet last night saying he would not be returning to the team for a ninth season. 

Räikkönen has been a hot headline in the rumour mill recently; his return to Ferrari appeared imminent when he lost the Red Bull seat to Daniel Ricciardo and his current Lotus team could not guarantee finances or a strong technical package next year.

Räikkönen’s 2007 championship was followed by a strong season by then-teammate Massa during his run at the 2008 title, until he lost in the final round and lap in Brazil to eventual champion Lewis Hamilton. In 2009 Räikkönen finished a disappointing sixth, and was bought out by Ferrari in order to bring in two time champion Fernando Alonso. Alonso is yet to win a title, but has finished second in the standing in two of his three years with the team.

The pairing will make Ferrari the strongest outfit in F1 and a major threat to Red Bull’s three-time (and possibly four following this season) constructors’ championship defence.

Filling Räikkönen’s vacancy at Lotus next year, it is heavily rumoured that Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg will make the move to drive alongside Romain Grosjean, although Lotus team boss Eric Boullier has reiterated there is no rush for the team to make a decision.