Scuderia Ferrari Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen admitted that he has had no talks regarding a possible senior role within the Sauber team after he’s finished racing in Formula One. Earlier this week, Ferrari confirmed that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen was to leave the team at the end of the season. That news was swiftly followed by Raikkonen confirming that he will race for the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 team from 2019, signing a two-year deal.
Given Kimi Raikkonen’s previous stance on not wanting to compete for a team incapable of winning races, the move sparked rumours that the Finn had other interests in the team, possibly linking him with a management role within the Swiss team after he’s finished competing. However, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Raikkonen was quick to play down the rumours, adding that he’s only focused on racing for Sauber: “There’s zero discussion on that. Obviously I signed my contract as a driver and I hope I stay there as a driver. Who knows what happens in the future, in two years, or whenever it’s all said and done, but I’ve no idea. I don’t know myself and there’s always speculation and everything but I don’t have any contract about that right now.” – he said.
When asked if he would have to reassess his desire to be in a winning car, Kimi added: “I don’t think so. Obviously the aim is always that [winning], whether it’s realistic…who knows? We can only aim for the best position and see what comes up.”
With the Finn without the pressure of a Scuderia Ferrari drive for next season, he was also quizzed on whether or not he will be helping out team-mate Sebastian Vettel’s bid for the drivers’ championship against Lewis Hamilton: “I can only drive one car, obviously. It’s always easy to say this and this will happen. In theory, it’s always difficult to get it right in many ways so we’ll see what happens in the racing. Obviously we know our rules, and it’s very simple.” – Scuderia Ferrari Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen concluded at the press conference ahead of the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix.
Full press conference (open in new window)
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