Autosport Plus

The unexpected motivation behind Raikkonen's 'hobby'

By:

Kimi Raikkonen revealed ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix that he sees Formula 1 as more of a hobby now, which he says has made it more enjoyable again. His performances since joining Alfa Romeo prove this attitude has him back at his best

Word has it that before Kimi Raikkonen surprised everyone by referring to Formula 1 as a "hobby" ahead of last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, the 2007 world champion struck fear into a senior member of his Alfa Romeo team by saying the same thing.

It was not that they felt Raikkonen was not taking his post-Ferrari F1 career seriously, it was the image it would project: 'You can't say that, it seems like you're saying you're on holiday!'

shares
comments

Ferrari's early struggles pile pressure on Binotto

Haas F1 team explains its track-dependent tyre problem

More from Scott Mitchell

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

F1 Formula 1

Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1 Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

F1 Formula 1

Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0' Hamilton felt pressure of revitalised Mercedes team-mate 'Bottas 2.0'

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

F1 Formula 1

Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races Alfa team boss Vasseur: Squad must maximise results in chaotic races

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

F1 Formula 1

Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna Honda: Verstappen F1 relationship like seeing a young Senna

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

F1 Formula 1

Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest Ferrari: Key team personnel running F1 would be conflict of interest

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

F1 Formula 1

Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa Late Spa shunt could have cost Giovinazzi his drive - Alfa

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
GP Racing

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Matt Kew

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Oleg Karpov

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Subscribe