Kimi Raikkonen made an approach to Sauber when he learned his time at Ferrari was up, says the Finn’s manager Steve Robertson. Scuderia Ferrari announced last week that Kimi is set to part ways with them at the end of the 2018 Formula One season and the racing veteran is on course to return to Sauber, the team he started his career in motor sport’s premier competition with.
Kimi Raikkonen’s hand was forced with Ferrari opting against keeping him on as Sebastian Vettel’s team-mate, but Robertson has revealed his client had no qualms about making the first move to sort out an F1 drive for next year: “Kimi had a meeting with them first and then he handed over to me,” Robertson told C Morelle – “They were interested and Kimi made it clear that he was interested. Then he gave me a job and we did as we did throughout his career.”
Steve Robertson has hinted Kimi Raikkonen’s return to Sauber was arranged long before his Ferrari exit was announced. Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene says Raikkonen was informed of the decision to let him go prior to the Italian Grand Prix: “You see, this worked with Ferrari so we had a deal for a while,” Robertson added – “It was over, and in the previous years it was always continued. Now they did not continue it. He was [at Ferrari] for eight years in his career, which is incredible in F1; in the most iconic showroom. Now he is likely to end with Sauber, where everything started, and it’s also a wonderful story.”
Steve Robertson has admitted that Kimi Raikkonen could have called time on his time in F1 instead of joining Sauber. Although he’s glad the move has come to fruition: “I am extremely happy,” Robertson said – “In the first instance, because Kimi loves driving, even though he obviously could have taken another route and stopped.”
Kimi Raikkonen has six races left with Scuderia Ferrari before sealing his return to Sauber. Next up for the Italian constructors is the Russian Grand Prix a week on Sunday.
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