According to reports, Kimi Raikkonen is the odd man out for the 2014 Red Bull F1 seat, as the energy drink supplier and defending driver and manufacturer title holder has decided to go with its junior driver, Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo.
Rumours have tended to favour Ricciardo in recent days, but it was Raikkonen’s agent who reported the deal was finished after the two groups met. Autosport also reported Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso had been thrown into the mix of names, although few considered him a serious contender for the vacancy.
Raikkonen is expected to re-sign with Lotus, but Autosport has indicated there are still other talks on the table. The Lotus team has come under fire as Raikkonen is apparently still waiting to be paid in 2013, but it is unclear whether the Enstone-based team’s resigning is dependant on that or other issues.
Racing for Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso, Ricciardo currently sits 14th in the standings with 11 points, including a season-best eighth-place finish and three top-10s in 10 races. Throughout his career, the Australian driver has 21 points and a top finish of seventh in 41 races.
Raikkonen sits second in points with one win and five second-place finishes in as many races to go along with 75 career podiums, 20 wins and a world championship (2007) in 187 race starts.
