By akademiotoelektronik, 10/05/2022

Raikkonen: I may never come back to the paddock again

Kimi Raikkonen confided in Sport Bild on his 2nd retirement from Formula 1, probably final.

The Finn has competed in 350 Grands Prix in F1, a record - which should be beaten by Fernando Alonso. But he claimed to be looking forward to the last of these Grands Prix in Abu Dhabi. There will be no feeling of lack to fear as during his 1st retirement?

"Only time will tell. What I already know: driving is the only thing I loved there! I may never set foot in the paddock again. Formula 1 has never been my life. There were always things that were more important to me. Nothing will change that. I didn't stop because I didn't have the strength, but because I have better things to do than 'sit on the plane and stay at the hotel.'

Raikkonen says he has no plans.

"Keep peeing in my garden!" he jokes. "I don't have any plans and I don't want to make any either. My children want a dog, but we haven't decided yet. Maybe it's enough for them that I spend more time at home."

"These winter holidays are holidays again," added the former Alfa Romeo driver.

"And summer vacation was two and a half weeks where you had to keep training and you always had in mind that after that the normal madness would be back."

Start at Sauber, finish at Sauber - Alfa Romeo, the perfect farewell to F1, a sport that has changed too much in 20 years according to him?

"What's perfect? ​​I'm just happy it's over. Even the fact that I couldn't finish the last race doesn't matter."

"Today the cars are much more reliable. In my early years every race was like a casino game. You never knew what you would get that day and if you would even cross the finish line. But it doesn't matter if you like the development or not. We drivers don't make decisions about the rules or where we ride. We are just employees of the teams, just like the mechanics."

"Formula 1 is not interested in our opinion. Is it still the same sport? Since it's always about getting a car running as fast as possible: yes. We now drive a few more races a year and also in new countries, but in the end it's not about you, but about 20 drivers in 20 cars."

"A lot has changed in the last 20 years. Especially via social media. But it's like that all over the world and not just in Formula 1. Fans can now see almost everything. Almost too much. what to repeat myself: the pilots are only employees.