feature-image

Getty

feature-image

Getty

Kimi Raikkonen has officially left the building. After an anti-climatic final race, Raikkonen’s career has come to an end. However, we can still expect some battles from the Finn, albeit, off the track; Raikkonen expects to continue his competition with former Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Explaining that he and Vettel had ” a good time together, we knew each other before, that makes things a lot.” Raikkonen also added that because the duo were neighbors in their time in Switzerland and used to spend more time together outside racing. “Today we live a little further apart. But I will soon have more time, I am sure that we will see each other from time to time.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

And Raikkonen expects to spend this time playing badminton with his former teammate. Apparently, the two are extremely competitive about it! Further, Vettel had praised his friend for his record in the past, in a witty manner. Raikkonen added, “We haven’t played badminton against each other for a few years. I even tried a couple of times to let him win.”

Read more: Are Cordless Pit-Stops the Way Forward in F1? Mercedes Trial ‘e-gun’ in Abu Dhabi

ADVERTISEMENT

The driver also revealed what he believes is Vettel’s intention with the hearty competition. “His plan is probably that I get so old that he can finally beat me.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Kimi Raikkonen reveals what he will miss the most

It’s not speed, it’s not the competition; instead, it’s the people of Formula 1 that Raikkonen will miss the most. Unlike the usual ice-cold response expected from the Finn, his statements were heartfelt.

” I met a lot of people I work with, a lot of good people, and some of us became friends [and formed] friendships. Generally, we are so busy anyhow, it is always that it’s not really a place to say we are friends together. It’s not the place to really have time to do anything.” 

ADVERTISEMENT

However, it wouldn’t be the end of the world for Raikkonen, who has been excited about his retirement from the sport. “[There are] a lot of good memories, a big part of my life has been spent here. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. But that’s how it is because it takes a lot of time. But it’s never been the most important thing for me in my life. So it’s nice that it comes to the end, and I’m looking forward to a normal life.”

ADVERTISEMENT

As we await further updates on Raikkonen’s life after retirement, hopefully, we’ll get to see more of the Finn.

Watch this story: How Fast Can F1 Cars Go? Comparisons With MotoGP, IndyCAR, NASCAR and Formula E

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Shreya Sanjeev

795 Articles

Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having attained a journalism degree from St Xavier's College, she finds comfort in the sound of her keyboard while typing and excitement in the sound of F1 cars speeding on a track. A street circuit and Daniel Ricciardo fan through and through, Shreya claims the 2018 Monaco GP to be one of her favorite races of all time. When she's not watching F1 races, she can be found watching NBA matches and rooting for the Golden State Warriors.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT