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Iceman back: Too little, too late, for Kimi?

ROME, Italy - Kimi Raikkonen may have moved a step closer to keeping his Ferrari race seat for 2016.

Corriere dello Sport, however, stands by its earlier report that Ferrari's contract buy-out deal with Williams to secure Valtteri Bottas' services is already done.

For his part, Bottas is glad the sports summer break has arrived. He said: "I think I will hide for a while in the Finnish forests."

KIMI BACK ON PACE?

Raikkonen might also be happy with the lull, especially as he performed well in Hungary  after a series of disappointing results in recent races.

Pino Allievi, veteran correspondent for La Gazzetta dello Sport, said technical trouble marred the result but "this is the Kimi Ferrari and tifosi want".

Watch: Nico Rosberg's 2015 Hungarian GP wrap

Former F1 driver and fellow Finn Mika Salo agrees that Raikkonen was competitive throughout the Hungaroring weekend, concluding to broadcaster MTV3: "It makes me believe Kimi could stay with Ferrari."

Coupled with Sebastian Vettel's win, it was a strong showing all round for the Maranello team in Hungary, boosting hopes that a title challenge might still be possible. Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore told the Italian source Adnkronos: "This season it (the title) seems impossible, but next year..."

Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene apparently agrees, declaring that Vettel's win means the team has now achieved his pre-season target of two victories.

He said: "At three we would be in paradise. We have two but we must keep our feet on the ground. Mercedes is still the strongest team."

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2015 Formula 1 season.

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