Felipe Massa has opened the way for Kimi Raikkonen to take his seat alongside Fernando Alonso at Ferrari by announcing that he will be leaving the team at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old has driven for the Italian outfit for eight years, during which he has won 11 races, but Ferrari have been looking to recruit a replacement for him following three years of inconsistent performances.

They have been courting Raikkonen as his potential successor for some time, and reports claim that the Finn has agreed a deal, which could be confirmed imminently, to join them from Lotus Renault for the 2014 campaign, leaving Massa surplus to requirements.

"From 2014 I will no longer be driving for Ferrari. I would like to thank the team for all the victories and incredible moments experienced together," Massa tweeted.

"Right now I want to push as hard as possible with Ferrari for the remaining seven races. For next year, I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective."

The Brazilian has competed in 186 Formula 1 races, reaching the podium on 36 occasions, but not as a winner since the 2008 Grand Prix on his home soil.