Kimi Raikkonen sparked conversation with a playful comment on social media directed at a recent gathering of former Formula 1 world champions. The 45-year-old Finnish driver posted a brief yet cheeky remark under a video shared by Formula 1 on Instagram, highlighting his absence from the event.
The video showcased a roundtable featuring legendary drivers such as Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, and Alain Prost. Despite their presence, Raikkonen, who was not invited, responded simply with, “Thanks for the invite.”
Kimi Raikkonen’s Career and Championship Performance
Best known for his composed demeanor behind the wheel, Kimi Raikkonen enjoyed a long Formula 1 career spanning 19 seasons. His most notable achievement came in 2007 when he won the World Championship driving for Scuderia Ferrari. Over the course of his career, he amassed 21 race wins and reached the podium 103 times.
Many fans and experts believe Raikkonen’s talent could have yielded more championships. However, much of his career was spent with mid-field teams, which limited his chances to compete consistently at the very front. In addition to Ferrari, Raikkonen drove for McLaren during a period when the team was not among the elite, as well as for Lotus and Alfa Romeo, where he ultimately concluded his racing journey.
Insights from David Coulthard on Raikkonen’s Career Compared to Schumacher’s
Kimi Raikkonen earned respect from Michael Schumacher early in his career, with the seven-time world champion recognizing his potential after witnessing Raikkonen at Mugello in 2000. Raikkonen’s former race engineer, Jacky Eeckelaert, shared that Schumacher believed the Finn had the talent to become one of the best drivers in Formula 1.
Despite this early promise, Raikkonen’s career did not reach the even greater heights some anticipated. David Coulthard spoke on the Red Flag Podcast in 2024 about why Raikkonen may have fallen short of expectations compared to Schumacher, pointing to differences in dedication.
“He was just a great, great natural talent… If he had the work ethic of Michael, I think he would have won more… I stand by work ethic. It’s the difference between being a humble one-time World Champion or what he [Raikkonen] could have been,” Couthard said.
Raikkonen’s Post-Racing Focus and Future Prospects
Since retiring from Formula 1, Raikkonen has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, choosing not to reflect extensively on how his career unfolded. Instead, his attention has turned toward nurturing the next generation of racers. He is actively involved in supporting the development of his son, Robin Raikkonen, who is currently racing in Karting.
Raikkonen’s subtle social media remark and his career’s legacy continue to keep fans and experts engaged, as his calm and thoughtful approach contrasts with the intensity of Formula 1 competition. His shift to mentoring heralds a new chapter, offering hope for his son’s future in motorsport.