FÓRMULA-1

Kimi Raikkonen, the man who won't miss F1 

Kimi Raikkonen retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season as the most experienced driver in the series' history, with a total of 349 starts. With stints at Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo, the Finn won a total of 21 victories and a world title in 2007 for Ferrari.

It wasn't just inside the car that Kimi was successful. The peculiar manner, apparently disinterested, almost always with short answers and closed face, oblivious to all the media surrounding the category, became a trademark and ended up turning him into one of the most popular pilots in recent years.

Raikkonen never hid from anyone that he didn't care much about what happened outside the car. It may even seem counterintuitive to think that the driver who was present in F1 for the longest time did not feel comfortable in that environment, but that was precisely what happened. Kimi Raikkonen's stuff.

In an interview given to Autosport during the Abu Dhabi GP weekend (the last of his F1 career), but published only recently, Kimi spoke about how politics and money play a role in the world of the series, and how that bothered. In keeping with his style of replying without replying properly, he sums up the entire political game and F1 interests as “nonsense” in his reply.

“A lot of things don't make sense, at least in my head,” he said. “All kinds of nonsense that happens. We know it, but nobody talks about it. These are things that shouldn’t even be there.” Without specifying exactly what such “things” would be, Kimi continues: “A lot is false here. For me, it's good to be out. Mentally, it's really good to stay out of all this nonsense. There is a lot more nonsense than what people see from the outside.”

The Finn has no doubts when pointing out what he considers the biggest cause of this type of situation that bothered him so much: “Money, for sure. Money changed things, like any sport. The more money you put in, the more politics. In general, in any country, there are 'games' that people don't know about until they are into everything." And he continued: “Of course, money plays a big part in this. And power. I imagine people want to have power and stuff.”

For him, this is old in F1. What changed was just the public's perception: “It's been that way for many, many years. It’s just that people notice more now.”

According to Kimi, the recipe for not getting stressed is simple: “I don't get involved. I know a lot of things that happen, but I don't get involved. If you engage in it every day, I don't think it's going to be healthy for you.”

No plan for the future...Kimi even took a sabbatical from Formula 1 between 2010 and 2011, but took up his time participating in rallies, NASCAR and other categories. The situation is now different. In his second phase in F1, Kimi left the party side behind, got married and started a family. Now, that's his priority.

“I don't want to make plans, because it's the first time in a long, long time that my work schedule hasn't dictated my entire life. Before just mine, now my family too,” he said. “I'm looking forward to this moment, so I don't want to make big plans. It will be nice to have some time at home, the kids are looking forward to it. And my wife too. I won't have to say 'I'm here, I'm there', stay for a week and then go again.”

The lack of plans is such that Kimi cannot say whether the Abu Dhabi GP was his last race in motorsport. Asked, he replied: “It could be [the last], easily. But on the other hand, I could be completely wrong.”

That's because he says he is open to receiving invitations in the future: “I'm sure people will come with cool opportunities that may arise. And if any of them make sense, why not? But first of all, I need to take some time away.”

More than deserved rest, after so much time putting up with the “nonsense” of F1, presenting fans with his driving of the highest level and embodying the public's favorite anti-hero - everything that makes up the Kimi Raikkonen persona. His latest statements show someone absolutely sure of the decision to stop. The successful career fulfilled its cycle, and the stressful routine no longer fit in father Kimi's life. He gives clear signs that he won't miss Formula 1. But Formula 1 and the fans will surely miss having him around.

Luís Gustavo Ramiro, Brazil