Maurizio Arrivabene says he expects Ferrari's "confidence to be well rewarded" after the team confirmed Kimi Raikkonen will stay at the team for 2016.
Ferrari announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, ending months of speculation about Raikkonen's future at Ferrari and in Formula One. Raikkonen has scored just one podium and has under half the points of Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel after ten races.
However, the team has decided to take up the 2016 option on the Finn's contract despite heavy speculation it could sign Williams driver Valtteri Bottas to replace the 2007 world champion. Ferrari boss Arrivabene says the decision adds "stability" to Ferrari and hinted that he expects to see Raikkonen's performances improve as a measure of thanks to the team.
"We believe that extending Kimi's contract into the next season will provide further stability to the team," Arrivabene said following the announcement. "This has been our guideline, also considering the very good relationship between Kimi and Seb. On our side, this shows our great confidence in him, and I expect this confidence to be well rewarded."