F1 News: Kimi Raikkonen Never Thought About Retirement, Robertson Says

Kimi Raikkonen had no thoughts about retirement after Ferrari announced they were replacing him at the end of the 2018 season, according to the Finn’s long-time manager Steve Robertson.

The identity of Sebastian Vettel’s teammate remained a mystery until earlier this month with speculation switching between Charles Leclerc being the favorite to Raikkonen over the course of the season.

In the end, Ferrari decided to promote the young Monegasque driver to the works team despite his lack of experience. He is in the process of completing his first full season in Formula 1, but has impressed behind the wheel of the Sauber — hauling the backmarkers to five points-scoring finishes in 15 races.

While Leclerc’s move to the Ferrari works team is a gamble, it came as no surprise with many in the paddock predicting it. However, Raikkonen choosing to join Sauber on a two-year contract raised many eyebrows.

It was believed that the Finn, who has been in F1 for 16 seasons including the current one, would announce his retirement when Ferrari decided to replace him. But his manager revealed it was never an option for the 2007 F1 world champion, while making it clear he is as hungry as ever to continue racing.

The 38-year-old is the oldest driver on the grid and his latest contract will see him drive in F1 well into his 41st birthday. He was unsure if he will retire as a Sauber driver – the team where it all began in 2001 — but his agent believes that very well could be the case.

“Kimi loves driving,” Robertson said, as quoted on Planet F1. “He could have stopped, but he just loves driving at the top in Formula 1.”

“He has been with F1’s iconic team for eight years, which is incredible. Now he may decide to end his career at the team where he started it,” Raikkonen’s manager added.

There were a number of eyebrows raised when Raikkonen announced his move to Sauber, who will not be able to offer him a car nearly as fast as the Ferrari he is driving this season. But he is ready to compete and help the team achieve their goal of moving up the grid.

Martin Brundle, a former F1 driver, currently a television expert, believes Raikkonen should have made way and given a younger driver a chance. But Robertson has revealed that Sauber made their interest known immediately when they realized the Finn was available. The interest, according to the agent, was mutual.

“Kimi had a meeting with them first and then he handed over to me,” Robertson said. “They were interested and Kimi made it clear that he was interested.”

“Then he gave me a job and we did [the deal] as we have throughout his career,” he said.

Raikkonen’s teammate at Sauber for the 2019 season is yet to be decided with Marcus Ericcson, the current incumbent alongside Leclerc and Ferrari academy driver Antonio Giovinazzi in contention for the vacancy.