Ferrari says poor Austrian GP won't affect Raikkonen's chances

On the back of a spin in Canada a fortnight ago that cost him a podium finish, Raikkonen endured a weekend to forget at the Red Bull Ring as he failed to get out of Q1 and then crashed on the opening lap.

Although his future remains uncertain, as Ferrari holds the option on his contract, team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has made it clear that his outfit will look at the much bigger picture relating to his performance rather than single incidents.

"It is not a question or today or yesterday," said Arrivabene, when asked if Raikkonen's incidents had lessened his chances of staying.

"Of course you have a deadline, but I am not going to tell you when the deadline is. It is an overall view that will conduct our decision.

"I am talking about performance. Performance means a kind of holistic approach. How is the feeling with engineers? How is he working with engineers? How is he getting podiums? How quick is he working?

"Now it is too early to tell him something or to decide something. I could be a bit too much defensive or protect him, but we are not yet halfway through the season.

"So try to be in my position. I cannot go to Kimi and say you are out or in; I want the guys to be concentrated on what they are doing today and to give the maximum."

Marchionne will decide

Arrivabene also made it clear that it would not be his decision alone about what Ferrari did with Raikkonen, as Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne would have the final say.

"I could suggest my point of view, but then you need to talk to the president to take the final decision," he said.

"In the normal world and normal companies they work like this. If you are the president you can do what you want, if not you have to share your opinion to get the approval."