Watch: Raikkonen Refuses To Divulge Reasons For Sauber Switch

Kimi Raikkonen was at his absolute best during the pre-race drivers’ press conference Thursday in Singapore as he refused to get baited into explaining his reasons for joining Sauber after being let go by Ferrari.

Ferrari announced Tuesday that Raikkonen will be replaced by Charles Leclerc in 2019 to end months of speculation about the Finn’s future and it was widely believed he will call time on his future in Formula 1.

The 2007 F1 world champion surprised everyone by announcing he will be joining Sauber after agreeing a two-year deal with the Swiss owned team. It came as a surprise to the entire paddock as it means he will be going from a race winning car to at best a midfield team in 2019.

There have been number of views on his move to the Swiss owned team with some hailing it as a coup for Sauber to get a driver with the experience of Kimi, while former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes the Finn should have retired from the sport to give a chance to one of the younger drivers waiting in the wings.

Raikkonen, however, has been insistent throughout the season he was keen to remain in the sport and during the press conference Thursday, remained tight lipped about his reasons for joining Sauber.

"Why not?” Raikkonen shot back when asked why he had opted to join Sauber. "Because l want to go back to Sauber,” he added when asked if there was a specific reason.

“Why do you guys make it so complicated? I have my reasons and as long as I am happy with them, that is good for me,” Raikkonen continued.

It was then put to him about his passion for racing, something that has been questioned over the years. Raikkonen was asked if his decision to snub retirement and continue racing proved he still had the passion – the Finn remained quite curt in his answer and seemed to be messing around with the reporters with his tongue-in-cheek answers.

“No, I am not actually. Just for pure head games with you guys I have signed and I am going to spend two years there not happy,” the Ferrari driver said much to the amusement of Lewis Hamilton, who was seated next to Raikkonen during the pre-race press conference.

The former McLaren and Lotus Renault driver also revealed he only found out he would not be retained by Ferrari at Monza after which he began talks with Sauber about a drive with them for 2019 and 2020.

The Singapore Grand Prix gets underway Friday with the first practice session set to begin the same day morning at 4.30 a.m. EDT. Live TV coverage will be provided in the United States by NBC Sports. The lights for the race will go out on Sunday at 8.10 a.m. EDT.