Räikkönen in anticipation for 2012
Asked about his future, Kimi Räikkönen did not rule out a return to F1, while not commenting on his possibilities for 2012. He also reflected on the 2011 season from a technical and sporting perspective.
If there is one man whose future particularly interests Formula 1 fans, it’s Kimi Räikkönen. The Finn, currently competing in the World Rally Championship with Citroën, is the subject of various rumors season after season. The teams’ interest in “Iceman” doesn’t seem to diminish in the paddock. But the same question arises endlessly: does the 2007 champion want to return to the premier discipline?
« I don’t know. Even if you ask the same question a hundred different ways, the answer won’t change. If I don’t know, no one else knows » answered Räikkönen to our colleagues at GMM. These remarks echo those from the beginning of the month: « There are several options, but my primary goal is to finish my rally season. There is no other plan for the moment ». At almost 32 years old, the Espoo native does not rule out a return, especially since his arrival could interest a number of teams, foremost among them Red Bull, even though as the season’s end approaches, the Vettel-Webber duo seems to be the leading option for 2012.
In the event of Mark Webber’s renewal, the chances of seeing Räikkönen back at the wheel of an F1 car may diminish, as it is hard to imagine him settling for a car that can’t compete for victory.
Furthermore, Räikkönen, like Jacques Villeneuve a few days ago, has been quite critical of the new systems implemented in Formula 1 this season, particularly against the movable rear wing: « It has nothing to do with a real overtaking. All you do is get close and press a button, and the guy in front can’t do anything about it. I think they’re trying to go in the right direction, it might be good for TV, but for the drivers it’s not that great ».
On the sports front, the Finn believes that his close friend, Sebastian Vettel, will retain his title even if his opponents become more pressing: « Very often, the situation stabilizes towards the end when someone has taken an early lead in the season. But Vettel doesn’t even have to win many races to stay ahead until the end ». As a reminder, Sebastian Vettel leads Mark Webber by 85 points, which is equivalent to three victories and a fifth place, with eight Grand Prix remaining.
