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Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 18, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 18, 2021 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during a press conference Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
Formula 1 is inching towards the end of an era, as Kimi Raikkonen is the latest driver to retire from the sport after what has been a memorable career. He can keep his head high, as he is still the driver who won the last world championship for Ferrari.
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One of the few drivers to accompany Raikkonen through his career is Fernando Alonso. The two raced together as teammates back in 2014.
The Spaniard talked about his friendship with the 2007 world champion recently on a podcast. Alonso revealed that he would often share a laugh or two with Raikkonen over how ‘fake’ Formula 1 is at times.
What did Fernando Alonso say?
While featuring on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Alonso, who finished P3 in the inaugural Qatar GP, opened up about how he and Raikkonen would often ridicule their own sport.
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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JULY 03: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari on the drivers parade before the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
“We live in a bubble, we don’t have a normal life. We travel in planes with all the comforts, we stay in five-star hotels, but on Sunday night we are ordinary people. Kimi and I have different ideas about F1 and we have often laughed about how fake F1 is sometimes,” he said according to GP Blog.
Raikkonen hardly mends with his racing colleagues and is often selective. The only drivers Raikkonen can be seen enjoying a chat or two with are his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi, Sebastian Vettel, and of course, Fernando Alonso.
Alonso bids adieu to Kimi Raikkonen with a heartwarming message
Alonso looked back at his memories with Raikkonen throughout his long career in Formula 1. “When you start in Formula 1, you don’t have a clear idea of what the future holds,” Alonso said.
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SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 13: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari looks on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 13, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“Kimi and I have had exciting seasons in Formula 1. We have both been world champions, something you can never be sure of when you come into this racing class. I’m very happy to have shared so many years with him.”
It is indeed quite painful to watch Raikkonen bow out of the sport. From his hilarious radio messages to awkwardly silent interviews to the subtle podium celebrations, F1 will definitely miss this gentleman. Can he ever be replaced?
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