Alfa Romeo team principal backs Kimi Raikkonen’s decision to retire from F1

Alfa Romeo team principal backs Kimi Raikkonen’s decision to retire from F1

Kimi Raikkonen hung up his helmet this year after an incredible career. The Finnish driver raced for 22 seasons, and also claimed the world championship title in 2007. The former Ferrari driver raced 349 times during his career, with the last time being at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Alfa Romeo team principal, Fred Vasseur was in full support of Kimi Raikkonen’s decision, and stated that the toll of racing was getting to the veteran driver. However, Fred revealed that Alfa Romeo was open to giving Raikkonen a one-year contract extension if he still had the motivation to continue racing.

“For sure, we would have discussed the point to understand the motivation and so for me it’s…you don’t have to do the year too much,” said Vasseur as quoted by GPFans.

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Last year the calendar had only 16-17 races due to the pandemic. However, this year the calendar witnessed 23 races which took a toll on the drivers.

“It’s true that now it’s a bit different compared to before when we were doing 16 races or 17. Next year you have 23,” he added.

Also Read: Four-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel admits retirement has crossed his mind

Fred Vasseur talks about the grueling Formula One calendar

Kimi Raikkonen

Fred Vasseur stated that it was not easy to cope with the grueling Formula One calendar, particularly towards the end of the season. He believes that this was the main reason behind Kimi’s retirement, as he wanted to spend his time away from the track and enjoy other pleasures of life.

“You have 10 races at the end in 12 weeks or something like this, and that travelling around the world that you need really to have someone fully in. I think it’s quite human as a reaction that at one stage you want also to turn the page and move on with the family and so on,” said Vasseur.

Fred Vasseur admitted that Alfa Romeo was not good enough to compete at the top of the grid, which was another reason behind Raikkonen’s retirement. Vassuer showered praise on the former Ferrari driver for making an honest decision to retire, as he would not be as motivated as in his former years where he had a much more competitive car.

“As a team, we need to have the guarantee that the guy will be fully dedicated, and I think Kimi was very clever into the approach over the summer. At one stage he said ‘okay, guys, I did 22 years like this,’” said Vassuer.

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