F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Raikkonen doubts he’ll be emotional ahead of F1 swansong on Sunday, says he has ''a lot of good memories'' from his time in the sport
Before his final F1 start, Kimi Raikkonen took a look back at his career in the press conference today.
As well as the championship decider on Sunday, 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will be bidding farewell to the sport after 20 years as he hangs his helmet up.
The 42-year-old Finn is happy his career is coming to a close but hopes to have fun on Sunday before he starts the next chapter of his life following a very successful career.
''I’m looking forward to when it’s done,'' he said.
''It will be nice to race again and hopefully we have good speed so we can have some fun, but I’m looking forward to getting the season done and no need to worry about any schedules after that.
''I doubt [Sunday will be emotional] but you never know.''
On what he’ll miss the most after Sunday, Raikkonen talked about friendships made in the paddock over the course of his 20-year career in the sport.
''I met a lot of good people and worked with a lot of good people and some of us became friends.
''But I think generally we’re so busy anyhow here always that it’s not really a place to really have time to do anything [with friends], so we can meet outside of all the hassle if we want.
''One thing maybe the racing [that he’ll also miss] but then there’s other racing series that are probably better, more fun for pure racing.''
Raikkonen’s greatest day was winning the race and championship at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Unsurprisingly he mentions that as his greatest moment but says he has lots of other good memories as well.
''For sure winning the championship as a result comes is the best; that’s why everybody is here,'' he said.
''But there’s a lot of other good races and a lot of other bad races, but that’s part of the game.
I think anything you do for many years you will have those; I think it’s fine and I have no issues with it.
''It’s very small things that will decide if it’s going to be good or bad and if you have a good car, then those small things will decide the end result.
''But a lot of good memories... a big part of my life has been spent here. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing but that’s how it is.
''It takes a lot of time but it’s never been the most important thing for me in my life.
''It’s nice that it comes to an end and I’m looking forward to a normal life afterwards.''
Say it in carbon: Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN to feature livery message for Kimi and Antonio in Abu Dhabi 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jh3HYKkl0X
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) December 9, 2021
