Kimi Raikkonen Opens Up On Lewis Hamilton’s Pro-Environment Crusade

During the later half of the year, the F1 community was pretty active for environmental protection. Lewis Hamilton raised the issue on his social media handles and later F1 also announced its efforts to be carob neutral.  While many supported Lewis and praised him, 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen believes that Formula 1 can only go so far.

During one of the press conferences, Lewis Hamilton revealed his desire to become “carbon neutral”. All the while the other drivers on the panel echoed his sentiments on the damage being done to the planet.

Admittedly, Kimi Raikkonen is of a similar opinion but Formula One is not the best platform to promote environmental messages.

“Obviously I think it involves everybody who lives on this planet,” he said. “In the end we all try to do what we can.”

“But honestly we are probably not in the best place to start making big stories out of it, because in the end we’re burning fuel for what? To be first, second?”

“I mean, for sure we try to do our part always if and when it’s possible. But I think F1 is in probably not the strongest place to tell people that this is what we should do, because to really go that route we should all stay home and forget the racing.”

Raikkonen affirmed that people should do their part to reduce their impact on the environment. However, he thinks that it is an odd subject to get into a debate about, especially ahead of a race weekend.

And doesn’t it make sense? For a sport which literally thrives on burning fuel to achieve positions, issues about environment conservation can only go so far. F1 cars are known to be extremely good in terms of fuel economy, but more efforts can be made to make it better. The major challenge will be to reduce the carbon footage that the sport spends on travelling and logistics. How that will be take into account, is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez threw his undying support behind Hamilton and his environmental views. “I think it’s very important that we raise our voices,” he said. “A lot of people hear us, especially someone like Lewis.

“It’s very important. I see the messages that he sends often on his social media are good. A lot of people are following him, so if we can impact the world, if we can help a bit, I think we are obliged to do so. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”