Kimi Raikkonen has revealed his deal with Ferrari to continue racing into the 2018 Formula 1 season with the Italian outfit was 'quickly agreed'. 

The Scuderia announced on Tuesday that Raikkonen would retain his seat for another season, a move that was widely expected despite rumours surrounding the Finn's future in the sport. 

Commenting on his new contract for the first time since it was made official, the 2007 world champion, who currently sits fifth in the drivers' championship, revealed re-signing was an easy choice. 

"We started discussing it at a late stage and quickly agreed. It did not take long to think about it," Raikkonen said at a sponsor event in Helsinki.

"I have known about it for some time but only now read it in the newspaper."

The change of heart at Ferrari came after the last race in Hungary, where President Sergio Marchionne hailed the partnership between Raikkonen and teammate Sebastian Vettel following a 1-2 finish.

It is also believed the re-signing of the 37-year-old was one of the demands from Vettel as he negotiates a new contract of his own and the 'Iceman' insists he is happy to remain part of the setup at Maranello.

"I would not have signed it if I wasn't enjoying it and I didn't have a good cooperation with the team and the people," he said.

2018 will mark 17 years since Raikkonen made his debut in the sport and inevitably many have speculated his retirement is imminent, however, Raikkonen says he's just taking it one year at a time. 

"At this point it's good to take one season at a time," he added. "It does not matter one way or another if there is another contract or not. I always try my best.

"Probably in a month's time they will begin speculating about the next one," he jibed.