How Kimi Raikkonen Saved his F1 Career Before Ferrari Dumped Him
Follow Us
Back in 2017, Alfa Romeo representatives met with Kimi Raikkonen to convince him to move on from Ferrari. According to team manager Beat Zehnder, they all met in a private plane to discuss terms and conditions.
The move would be poetic because, Raikkonen made his F1 debut with Sauber back in 2001. However, he is back with the Swiss-based team, who are now racing under the Alfa Romeo brand. The Finnish veteran leaves behind a second Ferrari stint, that lasted five years. Now, Kimi Raikkonen is well on his way to breaking Rubens Barrichello’s record for the most race starts.
Speaking to Motorsport.com team manager Zehnder revealed how Alfa Romeo enticed Raikkonen to their squad.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I was working on that for quite a long time,” Zehnder said. “When he finished third at Silverstone in 2017 with Ferrari, he gave me a ride back in the private plane. Then we started talking about his future.”
“I said: ‘Listen, if you don’t want to drive for Ferrari any more, or if they dismiss you, then please contact me. I will make it possible.
“We’ll find a way, if you’re interested and you’re motivated to come back to Sauber.’ We always had talks about this over the years.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kimi Raikkonen: Goodbye Ferrari, hello Alfa Romeo
Soon enough, Ferrari announced Raikkonen’s exit ahead of the 2018 Italian Grand Prix. Instead, Monegasque star, Charles Leclerc, would succeed him.
Zehnder continued, “We had a meeting which was the Tuesday after the race with Fred, Kimi, and myself. We basically did a contract within two hours. Well, a contract – we did an agreement, because Kimi doesn’t read contracts!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”
April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT
Adrian Newey Hits Out at Climate Activist Lewis Hamilton’s Fuel Protest, Desperate to See V10 Engines Again
April 15, 2024 12:35 PM EDT
Who are Zhou Guanyu’s Parents? Everything We Know About The Chinese Driver’s Family
April 16, 2024 02:07 PM EDT
“I Was Quite Depressed”: Adrian Newey Makes Brutal Revelation as He Reveals Red Bull Heavily “Struggling”
April 15, 2024 02:38 PM EDT
New Pet Parent Charles Leclerc Reveals Leo Duty Split With GF Alexandra Saint Mleux
April 18, 2024 03:55 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“Through all the years, we had a very special connection. At the time of refuelling, we would always tell him how much fuel we had at the start, and would always have a very good connection to each other.”
According to him, Kimi Raikkonen changed a lot over the past 18 years. So, he was able to channel all his experience into improving the team and his teammate, Antonio Giovinazzi.
Written by:
