Ferrari
Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso Reuters

Ferrari are set to retain their current driver line up of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen for the next season, according to team boss Marco Mattiacci.

When Raikkonen was announced as Alonso's teammate at the start of the season, the F1 world expected it to be a fiery combination with the two world champions going head-to-head to be the Ferrari number one.

However, with a complete overhaul in the technical regulations this season, Ferrari is way below par compared to their closest rivals and the drivers have struggled to compete at the sharp end of the grid. The Spaniard has managed to get as much out of the car as possible and lies fourth in the drivers' championship behind the two runaway Mercedes drivers and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

On the other hand, the Finn has struggled to get to grips with the car and has been grappling with set up issues in almost every race thus far and is languishing in 12th place in the championship standings.

But the Ferrari team boss still feels that in Alonso and Raikkonen, they have "by far the best drivers in F1" and "a fantastic combination."

Alonso, who is in his fifth season at Ferrari, is frustrated by the fact they have not given him a car worthy of fighting at the front and continues to be linked with a move away from the team, with McLaren looking to re-sign their former driver.

But Mattiacci feels that the drivers will remain with the team for the next season and realises that the Maranello team must give them a more competitive car.

"I have a fantastic couple of drivers and I am very confident they will be with us next year," Mattiacci said, as quoted in the BBC website.

"Everybody wants to win more championships and particularly Ferrari. Both Fernando and Kimi are very demanding and I understand their frustration."

"All the team are not satisfied with where we are. We need to give a better car, performing and competitive," the new Ferrari boss added.

"At the same time their contribution is very much needed. They can make the team more united so they have a big responsibility and they understand that. There is a very good team spirit."

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