Raikkonen's last Thursday: what he'll miss, best memories and more

December 9, 2021

It is logical that all eyes focus this weekend on the titanic fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 F1 title, but it is fair and necessary to keep some attention on the farewell of a brilliant driver beyond a unique character, Kimi Raikkonen.

The Finn will leave F1 after a successful 19-season career in which he has contested 350 races with more than 100 podiums, 21 wins, 18 pole positions, 46 fastest laps and a world championship , which he achieved with Ferrari in 2007.

Although he himself admitted that he is looking forward to everything being over because he does not like farewells or taking the spotlight, this Thursday, at his last FIA press conference, he was more open, without neglecting the way of being that he loved so much. It has made him win over the fans.

“I can’t wait for it to be over!” he candidly commented ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP. “I mean, yeah, it will be nice to race again, hopefully we’ll have some good speed so we can have some fun, but I’m looking forward to finishing the season and not having to worry about the schedule.”

And when asked if he thinks it will be an emotional moment on Sunday when he finishes his last race, he replied: “I don’t know, I doubt it, but you never know.”

He elaborated further on the question of what he will miss in Formula 1, saying: “Obviously I’ve met a lot of people I’ve worked with, a lot of good people and some of us became friends.

‘Iceman’ also criticized the drivers’ tight schedule and their numerous commitments during race weekends: “I think in general we are so busy as long as there is not much room for friendships. It is not a place where we have time to do something. We can meet out of the whole mess.”

“Maybe I miss racing, but there are other categories that are probably better, more fun to compete in.”

(Check out the tributes to Raikkonen and Giovinazzi on Alfa Romeo cars this weekend)

Kimi Raikkonen’s car livery, Alfa Romeo Racing

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Photo by: Alfa Romeo

Kimi Raikkonen’s car livery, Alfa Romeo Racing

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Photo by: Alfa Romeo

Car livery by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing

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Photo by: Alfa Romeo

Car livery by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing

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Photo by: Alfa Romeo

Speaking of his best and worst memories in Formula 1, Raikkonen couldn’t help but mention the title that still leaves him, 14 years later, as the last Ferrari champion: “Of course, winning the championship is the best thing. Everyone he’s here for that, but there are a lot of other good races, a lot of other bad races, that’s all part of the game.”

“I think whatever you do for many years, there will be ups and downs, and it’s very little things that will decide if it’s good or bad. And here, if you have a good car, those little things will decide the outcome. I have a lot of good memories, I’ve spent a lot of my life here. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. But it is, because I’ve been here for a long time. But F1 has never been, shall we say, the most important thing for me in my life. So it’s good. until it reaches the end, and I’m looking forward to having a normal life.”

At Yas Marina, Raikkonen will be joined by his wife Minttu Virtanen and their children: “I want to say it’s positive, and I’m sure my wife will be more excited about it, but honestly I doubt the kids really care! I think they have other things to do that are more interesting and I think they’ll be looking forward to coming to a warmer country and taking a dip in a pool and all that stuff, but it’s good to have them with me.”

Raikkonen denied that his family was key in his decision to retire: “It was my decision to leave it, not the family. We all knew that it was going to end sooner or later, because I am not going to be getting younger. We will make some plans and on Monday Let’s start the holidays.”

And then? Raikkonen was mentioned about Valentino Rossi’s new adventure in cars, but he is not clear: “At the moment I haven’t looked at anything beyond obviously finishing the year. We’ll see if some interesting things come up, if it makes sense. do, but right now I don’t have any plans and I don’t want to. I hope to have a less busy and unhurried schedule, and then I’ll see if I do something in the future or not.”

Finally, Raikkonen was asked if he prefers Verstappen or Hamilton to win the title, and although he admitted that he doesn’t care too much, he opted for Red Bull: “Honestly, whoever has the most points will win, but I don’t know if there’s someone right or wrong to win it. I don’t care who wins, but if I had to pick one, I’d probably say Red Bull just to see something different.”