2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen ended his time in F1 at the end of last season, more than 20 years after his debut, with a record 349 grands prix races.
Raikkonen revealed in September, shortly after announcing his retirement plans, that he had not yet considered any opportunities to race in other categories, but instead wanted to spend time with his family and get away from motorsport at least for a while.
Speaking to Motorsport.com in an interview ahead of his final race in Abu Dhabi, Raikkonen was frank in acknowledging that this could be the last time he competes professionally.
“It could be, very easily. But on the other hand, it could be that I’m completely wrong,” said the Finn.
“That’s why I haven’t made any plans. I don’t want to make plans, because for the first time in a long time, my work schedule doesn’t dictate my whole life. In the past it marked my life and then that of my family as well.”
“So I’m looking forward to the time of withdrawal. I don’t want to plan this and that.”
Raikkonen said he “could do anything” in the future and was confident he would get offers to race. But he was clear about his need to take a short-term break.
“I’m sure people will have some good things that will come out,” he said.
“And if there’s something that makes sense, why not do it? But first I need to get some free time.”
After leaving F1 at the end of 2009 to take a sabbatical, Raikkonen tried rallying and contested 21 WRC rounds, even making two starts in NASCAR in 2011 before returning to Formula 1 for the 2012 season.
But Raikkonen said he was now in a “completely different” situation compared to his previous exit from F1, so he is not aiming for a packed annual calendar of races.
“It’s a completely different story,” he explained. “Obviously, at that time, I did rallies and I was, if not as busy as in F1, at least very busy, because even rallies take a whole week, because you have to start doing the notes and all that stuff.
“And then I did NASCAR and some Le Mans testing and this and that. Now it’s a whole different story.”
“It will be nice to spend time at home, and the kids are looking forward to it. And I’m sure my wife is too! Let’s just say it won’t be necessary to always say, ‘I’m here and there’ for a week, and then know that you have to go again.”
