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Raikkonen understands nothing of own popularity in Formula 1

20:12, 26 Jan 2022

byGPblog.com

Kimi Raikkonen says goodbye to the sport after twenty seasons. The 42-year-old Finn will be sorely missed by fans but says himself that he understands little of that.

Never expected so many fans

Raikkonen had a colorful Formula One career culminating in the world title with Ferrari in 2007. The Iceman is still the last driver to win the drivers' title with the Scuderia. In his last seasons in Formula 1 he drove at the team where it all started for him, Alfa Romeo (then Sauber).

Raikkonen has not announced any plans for the future when it comes to racing and says he wants to spend his time with his family. Many fans will be bummed about this, as the Finn was one of the most popular drivers on the grid. Raikkonen himself says in conversation with Motorsport.com that he does not understand why so many people are fans of him.

Raikkonen changes for no one

During the press moments, Raikkonen's interviews were often entertaining, despite the fact that the Finn spoke very little. He regularly came into view with a large pair of sunglasses on his nose, whether the sun was shining or not. Almost every question a reporter could ask was met with a short answer beginning with the now familiar 'bwoah.' Raikkonen himself says it is normal for him, but he thinks others may not find it normal.

Raikkonen says he is glad that he has always remained himself because he knows that the media can try to control you. If he had given in to the media in the beginning, we might have known a very different Kimi Raikkonen.

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13 Comments

Rob West 26 January 2022 at 22:00+ 69

We will all miss Kimi and we all know given the car he could get the job done but the land of lakes is calling and his children are of the age that a part time Dad in a full season is not ideal. Hopefully from time to time he will drop by in the paddock but don't bank on it.

MabMav 26 January 2022 at 21:43+ 9040

Well,I liked him because he got in the car and drove,speaking his mind whenever he felt like it,

He may have been a driver for a team,but was never their puppet,you never got a sense that he was controlled by his team.

He is a individual with a personality,unfiltered and seemed real. Probably last of his kind as the kids today are just to groomed and walks the line their employer lay outs for them.

He is a driver for people like me,who only cares that a driver drives as fast as possible and the only news I care for is if it involves F1......I couldn't care less about what a driver is wearing, which cahrieties they support, what his political agenda is or who they are dating.

VeganWarrior 27 January 2022 at 05:43+ 52986

A simple man for simple fans ?

Shan_F1 27 January 2022 at 10:51+ 2538

Kimi - Simple man, simple fans…..single 2007 WDC by one point = 15 years ago!.
Alonso = Simple man, simple fans, 2x champ, last WDC was 2006 = 16 years ago

F1 should implement a driver tenure limit.

VeganWarrior 27 January 2022 at 11:01+ 52986

I concur, thats some ridiculous stats .

GeorgeRustle 27 January 2022 at 11:41+ 2069

That would be discriminatory.

Shan_F1 27 January 2022 at 21:04+ 2538

Nawh, man. That was really good especially about Briatore. Left speechless ?.

GeorgeRustle 27 January 2022 at 20:31+ 2069

Thanks. Always nice chatting with someone who doesn't take things personally.

Shan_F1 27 January 2022 at 20:10+ 2538

Ok. I will give you that one. Well done ??

GeorgeRustle 27 January 2022 at 17:41+ 2069

I certainly agree that Fernando has a controversial history in F1. I don't think it's all his fault, though. Briatore is a walking problem. Anybody who gets involved with him needs to watch out. Nelsinho in particular was very naive. In fact, I think he was lucky to walk out alive. Anything could have gone wrong. Something bad could also have happened to Alonso or any other driver that day. I'm sure all three have learnt something from that, and Briatore was punished accordingly.

Shan_F1 27 January 2022 at 16:11+ 2538

Standards are already lower by bringing Alonso back.McLaren fired him twice, Renault fired him twice and Ferrari fired him.

Also a big cheater back in 2008, Alonso, Briatore & Nelson Piquet JR (His sister dates Max) were involved in F1 Race manipulation eg crashgate.

Any driver is better than Alonso….ANY! Kimi was paid $10 million in 2021 but at least he had dignity and left..

GeorgeRustle 27 January 2022 at 15:49+ 2069

Fernando didn't underperform, Ocon did. Another season like that and Ocon will most likely be gone.
There's no point in changing drivers just for the sake of it, or because they've reached a certain age. And what driver will join a back of the grid team if they know they won't get a chance to join a top team later on? Your idea will lower driving standards over time, especially since many junior formula champions aren't very good. Piastri is a notable exception, and I'm sure he'll get his chance, most likely by replacing ocon.

Shan_F1 27 January 2022 at 12:26+ 2538

Nonsense. FIA set a three term limit and Jean Todt reached it. Not age but directives & contract.

How can the F1. Sport evolve with underperforming relics on the grid. Meanwhile several F2 & F3 champs are unemployed

For example:
Fernando Alonso: $20 million, 10th in WDC  Standings
Esteban Ocon: $5 million, 11th WDC in Standings

Performance identical but costing s15 million more. An unemployed F2 champ could do that.for 1/10th that cost.