Ferrari extend Kimi Raikkonen deal for 2017 season

The 2007 world champion's future had been the subject of speculation over the first part of the season, but Ferrari ended the rumours on Friday morning at the British Grand Prix by confirming Raikkonen will remain at the team.

The Finn's contract was set to expire at the end of the season, with several drivers including Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean linked with the seat.

The second Ferrari drive was expected to be key to the 2017 F1 driver market, and Raikkonen's deal now means one of the most desirable seats on the grid has been settled.

In a statement, Ferrari said: "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 is currently level on points with Vettel in the third place in the drivers' standings, and he is the only driver in the top four to have scored more points at this stage in the season compared to last year.

[BULLISH: Raikkonen: I'm driving as well as ever]

Earlier this month, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said it was up to Raikkonen to prove he deserves a seat with the team next year, and Raikkonen told reporters at Silverstone on Thursday he felt is driving as well as ever.

Ahead of this weekend's British GP Raikkonen said: "This is my 100th race with Ferrari, it doesn't sound like a lot but it's quite a few years.

"This is the best team in F1, together we won a title in 2007, we had good years and some difficult ones.

"I'm really happy to be part of Ferrari, the atmosphere is fantastic, we are always pushing each other forward and hopefully we'll get the team back where it belongs."

[LOTS OF WORK TO DO: Raikkonen: Ferrari still has a lot to do to catch Mercedes]

GPs: 47

Wins: 0

Podiums: 7

Points: 301

2014 12th, 55 points (Fernando Alonso 6th, 161 points)

2015 4th, 150 points (Sebastian Vettel 3rd, 278 points)

2016 4th, 96 points (Vettel 3rd, 96 points)