Breaking news
Formula 1
Ricciardo surprised Raikkonen isn't retiring
Daniel Ricciardo was surprised by Kimi Raikkonen’s two-year Sauber deal as he thought the Finn would retire after losing his Ferrari Formula 1 drive.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Sep 13, 2018, 8:16 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Outgoing Red Bull driver Ricciardo had eyed a move to Ferrari earlier this year but eventually decided to sign for Renault.
Raikkonen will be replaced by Charles Leclerc and take the youngster’s seat at Sauber, having confirmed a two-year deal with the team that gave him his grand prix debut in 2001.
Asked if he was surprised by Raikkonen’s move, Ricciardo said: “A little bit.
“I suspected Ferrari would make the change they’ve made, but I thought if Kimi left then he was leaving, riding dirt bikes and spending time with his kids.
“I’m surprised he’s committed to a two-year deal as well.
“His body language doesn’t always show he enjoys the sport but obviously he likes it more than we think he does.”
Raikkonen has not won a race since rejoining Ferrari in 2014 but he has added two pole positions and 23 podiums to his overall record in that time.
Though Sauber has improved significantly in the last 12 months under Fred Vasseur’s stewardship, Raikkonen will likely swap his podium-contending form for scrapping for points.
Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg said that is why he was also “a bit surprised” to hear about Raikkonen’s switch.
“Obviously, we all love racing,” said Hulkenberg. “It’s hard to stop that, especially in Formula 1.
“It’s the pinnacle of racing. It’s an awesome life and job that we have.
“From that point to just stopping and doing nothing is quite hard but to go backwards from a top team and from a car that you do lapping to probably a car that you get lapped, it’s quite interesting.
“I’m sure he has his reasons for it. He obviously still gets some good pace so he has every reason to still be going.”
Raikkonen’s former Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso, who last month announced his intention to leave F1 at the end of the year, said he was not surprised Raikkonen has decided to stay.
“I think everyone has different feelings, different character, different ambitions,” said Alonso.
“So, it's difficult to judge all these things from the outside.”
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton believes Raikkonen’s longevity in F1 “has to be admired” as the 38-year-old will take his tally to 18 seasons if he sees out his two-year Sauber deal.
Raikkonen will also break Rubens Barrichello’s all-time GP starts record if he completes the 2019 and 2020 seasons
Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble and Adam Cooper
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
Photo by: Manuel Goria / Sutton Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Alonso admits Daytona 500 has "appeal"
Next article Other drivers got away with worse at Monza - Verstappen
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
More from
Ferrari
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
4 h
On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Latest news
Tim Clark wants NASCAR to be better storytellers to counter "brand perception problem"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 56 min
Tim Clark wants NASCAR to be better storytellers to counter "brand perception problem"
Why NASCAR's Zane Smith fine for Carson Hocevar contact was consistent
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
Why NASCAR's Zane Smith fine for Carson Hocevar contact was consistent
Jimmie Johnson on the NASCAR business world: "It's a war"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 1 h
Jimmie Johnson on the NASCAR business world: "It's a war"
David Alonso lashes out at Dani Holgado: "When you’re not a good person, there’s nothing you can do"
Moto2
MOT2 Moto2
Phillip Island
1 h
David Alonso lashes out at Dani Holgado: "When you’re not a good person, there’s nothing you can do"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe