Formula 1 legend Alain Prost has backed Ferrari's decision to stick with Kimi Raikkonen.

Finn Raikkonen's new contract for 2017 has been controversial, given the fact that younger chargers like Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo or Romain Grosjean were reportedly keen to join the Maranello marque.

Prost, who was actually fired by Ferrari in his second season with the team in 1991, backed the Scuderia's call.

"Kimi is an icon in Formula 1 and the sport needs personalities like that," the Frenchman told Canal+. "My view is that Ferrari's decision to extend his contract was quite logical, especially given the rule change that is coming.

"It would have been too disturbing to have another driver, and a younger one too, when they are still trying to rebuild the team with Sebastian Vettel.

"As we saw at Silverstone, Ferrari is now the third force behind Red Bull and more difficult for them. They were fighting with Force India all race so they have a lot to do and they need some stability and calm because they are not at the level they should be. So I think it's not a bad decision to keep Kimi for another year."

Raikkonen is currently third in the driver rankings, behind Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.