Kimi Räikkönen is the last Ferrari World Champion. Although things aren’t going well in his new team Alfa Romeo Racing, he still doesn’t want to stop at the age of 40. And he definitely wants to stay in Switzerland.
source: NZZ
You’ve been living in Baar for ten years. How often do you drive to the factory in Hinwil?
Kimi Raikkonen: That depends very much on what you have to do at the moment. It can be several times a week or only once a month.
And then you are standing with your car in a traffic jam on the Seedamm towards Rapperswil-Jona?
Kimi Raikkonen: No, I try to avoid rush hours.
You have been living in Switzerland for a long time. Why actually?
Kimi Raikkonen: Before my time in Formula 1 I lived in England for a few years, then I did military service in Finland. And at the age of 21 I signed the contract with Sauber and moved straight to Hinwil because it was practical. Shortly afterwards I moved to Wollerau, and for ten years now I have been living in Baar, at Lake Zug.
Do you also feel a little Swiss in the meantime?
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, because this is my home, this is where I feel well. In Finland, on the other hand, I am only two or three times a year.
What do you appreciate most about Switzerland?
Kimi Raikkonen: With its forests, fields and lakes, Switzerland reminds me a lot of Finland. There I grew up near Helsinki, in the countryside. Today I also live in the countryside, not far from the big city.
Don’t you miss your home?
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, from time to time. I used to travel to Finland more often, for example to ride motocross. Now that happens a lot less, also because I don’t have much time. I can no longer imagine living in Finland all the time. When I quit Formula 1, I will stay with my family in Switzerland.
You obviously also love local ice hockey: you are a shareholder in EV Zug.
Kimi Raikkonen: I love ice hockey in general, not just the EV Zug. I played it myself in my youth, outside, on big fields. And before I became a fan of the EV Zug, I often attended games of the ZSC Lions. Back when my fellow countryman Ari Sulander was a goalie there.
Then you would have to support the HC Davos now, because Waltteri Immonen is working there as an assistant coach. He is a friend of yours and previously worked on the EV Zug.
Kimi Raikkonen: No, no, I don’t change my preference. I remain loyal to the EV Zug.
Peter Sauber helped you to enter Formula 1 in 2001. Do you still have contact with him, the former team owner?
Kimi Raikkonen: I see him quite frequently, twice this season alone in races. My relationship with him is still special, because without him I wouldn’t be in the same place in Formula 1. My life would have been completely different.
Now you’re back – not with Peter Sauber, but with the team he built.
Kimi Raikkonen: That’s a good feeling.
But with Alfa Romeo Racing you’re no longer competing for victories, instead you’re behind in the midfield. That must be difficult.
Kimi Raikkonen: No, because we know our natural limits. There are only a few teams that have a car to win. We don’t belong to them, not yet.
In a few days you will be 40. Years ago you claimed in an interview that at this age you are no longer in Formula 1.
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, that was actually my intention. But when I’m 50, I hope I won’t be there anymore.
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