‘That is Why I still Do It’- Kimi Raikkonen Explains Why he hasn’t Called Time on His F1 Career
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SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – Kimi Raikkonen speaks on stage at the Richard Mille – RM 50-04 Kimi Raikkonen in Singapore. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images for Richard Mille)
Kimi Raikkonen is now officially the most-experienced driver in F1 history with a record 329 race starts to his name. He’s been in the game for the past 20 years with a short sabbatical in between. However, what motivates him to endure?
The Finn is more accustomed to driving with top teams who have always provided him race-winning cars since his McLaren days.
His last win came with Ferrari in 2018 at the United States GP. However, the last couple of years have been rough as he is firmly placed at the back end of the grid.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2020 Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen during qualifying FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Therefore, it is clear that his primary motivation isn’t winning or competing for the title. So why not move away from the sport like Fernando Alonso if there is no chance for race victories?
“Even if you drive for a top team, there is no guarantee that you can win races. One team currently dominates (Mercedes, ed.) And the other eighteen cars have little chance.
“So yes, sometimes you win races and sometimes you don’t, but it’s rare at all. In any case, I still enjoy the driving and the work,” Kimi revealed to FORMULA 1 MAGAZINE in an exclusive interview.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action after the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
The 41-year-old veteran has made it clear, hence, that he only participates for the sheer pleasure and thrill of racing. However, in what may be a shock to a few of us, he also enjoys working on the development of the car, “Everything that serves to make the car faster or to drive better. That is why I still do it and why I want to keep going.”
Kimi Raikkonen would quit F1 on one condition
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F1 demands a lot of traveling and time away from the family for Kimi and other drivers. Therefore, he would only be willing to continue if he still derives some fun from it.
“If I didn’t like it anymore, I would stop. That makes sense to me. Then I wouldn’t waste my time traveling the world. That is the condition for me to continue: that I like it,” said the Alfa Romeo driver.
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The next season may be the one where he doesn’t like it anymore since it will consist of a record 23 races in the calendar. Let’s all enjoy his dark humor in the paddock while we still can.
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