Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing
Autosport Plus
Interview

Why newly-retired Raikkonen won't miss F1

After 349 grand prix starts, 46 fastest laps, 21 wins and one world championship, Kimi Raikkonen has finally called time on his F1 career. In an exclusive interview with Autosport on the eve of his final race, he explains his loathing of paddock politics and reflects on how motorsport has changed over the past two decades

As the laps ticked down in Abu Dhabi towards the controversial, farcical finish to the Formula 1 season, the fan-voted ‘driver of the day’ was already out of the race. Kimi Raikkonen’s 349th and final grand prix start came to a premature end at Yas Marina after a wheelnut issue following his pitstop forced him to retire less than halfway through. It left him to complete his media pen commitments – reluctantly, on instruction from the FIA – before skulking away for a low-key end to his F1 career.

Over 20 years has passed since Raikkonen made his F1 debut with Sauber as a kid just out of Formula Renault, one many wrote off as not being ready to race at the highest level. He went on to win 21 races spanning more than 15 years, and is still Ferrari’s most recent world champion in 2007, establishing himself as one of the greats of his generation.

Previous article The flashing light tech helping F1 drivers get in the zone
Next article Flexi-wings harder to exploit in F1 2022, but could become issue – Key

More from Luke Smith

Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?

Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain February Testing
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie

Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie

F1 Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin

How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin

F1 Formula 1
Aston Martin Silverstone Shakedown
How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin How ‘demanding’ Alonso has started life with Aston Martin
Ocon got "very sick" in F1 off-season due to bad lung virus

Ocon got "very sick" in F1 off-season due to bad lung virus

F1 Formula 1
Ocon got "very sick" in F1 off-season due to bad lung virus Ocon got "very sick" in F1 off-season due to bad lung virus
Brown: No reason not to expand F1 grid if new teams pay "fair" fee

Brown: No reason not to expand F1 grid if new teams pay "fair" fee

F1 Formula 1
Brown: No reason not to expand F1 grid if new teams pay "fair" fee Brown: No reason not to expand F1 grid if new teams pay "fair" fee
Hamilton: Nothing will stop me speaking up on important issues in F1

Hamilton: Nothing will stop me speaking up on important issues in F1

F1 Formula 1
Mercedes launch
Hamilton: Nothing will stop me speaking up on important issues in F1 Hamilton: Nothing will stop me speaking up on important issues in F1
Mercedes and Hamilton had "first chat" over new F1 contract

Mercedes and Hamilton had "first chat" over new F1 contract

F1 Formula 1
Mercedes launch
Mercedes and Hamilton had "first chat" over new F1 contract Mercedes and Hamilton had "first chat" over new F1 contract
Mercedes returns to black livery as team launches W14 F1 car

Mercedes returns to black livery as team launches W14 F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Mercedes returns to black livery as team launches W14 F1 car Mercedes returns to black livery as team launches W14 F1 car

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe