At 41,
Kimi Raikkonen is the oldest driver on the
Formula 1 grid, but his 'drive and motivation' are still top-notch says
Alfa Romeo team boss
Frederic Vasseur.
Raikkonen important in simulator
"Kimi has become one of the mainstays of our simulator program. We have made great strides with that in recent months, and Kimi really plays a key role," Vasseur said in an interview with
Formula1.co.uk. Raikkonen is thus the opposite of, for example,
Lewis Hamilton who chooses to be in the simulator as little as possible.
"
Now when we ask Kimi to be in the simulator at eight o'clock in the morning, he is there punctually at eight o'clock - with a smile on his face,
" says Vasseur. With his work behind the scenes, Raikkonen shows that he still wants to race in
Formula 1. His contract with
Alfa Romeo expires after this season as did teammate
Antonio Giovinazzi. And it is not yet clear if the drivers will be back in the Alfa Romeo's next year.
Possible replacement of Alfa Romeo drivers
According to the latest rumours, Alfa Romeo has already started talks with the management of
Valtteri Bottas to bring the Finn to Hinwil. Bottas is under considerable pressure at Mercedes and he may well be replaced by
George Russell.