Todt: « Räikkönen is very happy at Ferrari »

Ferrari’s CEO Jean Todt is convinced that Kimi Räikkönen is very attached to Ferrari. By stating this, the Frenchman downplays the possible intentions of the Finn to end his F1 career.

Indeed, Räikkönen said at the end of last season that he did not want to feel increasingly old in F1, suggesting that the Finn might be tempted to leave the sport as soon as possible.

But, speaking to the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, Todt stated that he thinks Räikkönen is happy with his new life with Ferrari.

Asked about the possibility of Räikkönen ending his career before the end of his contract, Todt stated: « To the extent that we cannot be 100% sure about this, I can only tell you that Kimi is happy with Ferrari. »

« He loves driving. We know he doesn’t like certain things, and that’s why we are not among those who ask him to do these specific things. »

« Pilots are just employees, but they are the workers who face the most pressure. If they do not do their job properly, there are much greater consequences for the company than if the receptionist does not do a good job, » he added.

« Consequently, I try to organize the drivers’ lives so that they are as pleasant as possible. So far, everything that has been kindly asked of Kimi, he has done. »

Although Todt is unable to say who has more talent between Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen, he believes that the character of the Finn is much better suited to Ferrari.

« Kimi was said for five or six years to be one of the best drivers of his generation. Therefore, I did not understand the people who were disappointed by the results he obtained in the first half of the season. »

« Is Kimi better than Alonso? I cannot answer that question. For me, both are excellent drivers. It’s the car that makes the difference. I selected Kimi because his character suits our team better, » he concluded.