From GrandPrix.com
One rumour that has been knocking around in Formula 1 circles for a long time is that Kimi Raikkonen will quit Formula 1 at the end of the current year, if he wins a second World Championship. The Finn has been at the forefront in F1 since he joined McLaren Mercedes in 2002. He was then 22 years of age. He quickly became a title contender and was runner-up in the championship in 2003 and 2005. He then switched to Ferrari on what is believed to have been a three-year contract and he won his first World Championship last year. This year he has been a frontrunner but has not seemed as motivated as previously with lacklustre drives in several races.
Most F1 World Champions tend to go on until their late thirties, but retirement at 29 would not be unprecedented. Mike Hawthorn retired at 29 back in 1958, while Jody Scheckter quit at the age of 30 in 1980. James Hunt called it a day at 32 and Mika Hakkinen stopped at 33, a year earlier than Jackie Stewart.
Raikkonen relates particularly to James Hunt and from time to time has been known to compete in events using James Hunt as his pseudonym. This is reported to have happened twice last year in a snowmobile race in Finland and later in a powerboat race in Hanko (in which "James Hunt" appeared wearing a gorilla costume). When asked about it, Kimi said "Was it really me? You don’t know."
The usual explanation for early retirement is self-preservation but with the improvements in safety over the years, there has been a switch of attitudes and the pressures of being an F1 driver are often cited as being a good reason to stop racing. The money earned by F1 drivers these days means that most of them who become established can quit whenever they want to as they have enough money to live for the rest of their days without ever needing to work again. What keeps them going is the passion for racing and the joys they get behind the wheel. Most do not know anything else, having raced professionally since their early teens. Few have any qualifications to do anything else. In the past retired champions have run their own teams with different levels of success; others have gone on racing in other championships, some have switched their ambitions to their children, others have turned to life as TV commentators. Only a couple have run successful businesses. Most continue to do promotional work of one form or another.
The latest stories about retirement have been appearing in German newspapers, notably Munich’s TZ, which argues that the Finn still likes racing but does not have any interest in all the other things that being a Grand Prix driver entails. With plenty of money in the bank and two World Championships he will have proved that his first title was no fluke and the suggestion is that he would be satisfied to walk away and get away from the media spotlight and live life as he wishes to lead it.
These suggestions have been linked to suggestions that Fernando Alonso has an arrangement in place to join Ferrari. The 27-year-old Spaniard has been frustrated at McLaren and Renault and if he wants to win more titles needs to be at Ferrari. There are other teams that might win races one day but the statistics in modern F1 are very clear: since 1978 only four teams have won titles: Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Benetton/Renault. Alonso has driven for Renault and McLaren and while Williams might be an option, Ferrari is the logical destination for him. He is a logical driver for Ferrari.
So, what do you think? I would have written an article about Kimi and retirement myself, but GrandPrix.com have almost pointed out all the relevant things. Apart from one thing though, Ferrari have openly praised younger drivers such as Kubica and Vettel and I wouldn’t be surprised if they chose one of them over Fernando Alonso who’s mind, albeit it ‘logical’, can be arrogant to the media and against his team (McLaren, but we could say it wasn’t exactly a one-sided story there.)
It was a very long, hard and almost an destructible decision between Luca Di Montezemolo and Ferrari to chose the man who’ll take over Michael Schumacher’s throne. Since Kimi successfully won their hearts in his first attempt, it’ll take a lot more from another driver to impress Ferrari than two world championships. Granted that Ferrari know how to win world championships and would appreciate Alonso’s fine art of fore-thinking and careful driving, they would also appreciate a loyal driver who wouldn’t even dare to think about criticising the team when the going gets tough. And if Felipe Massa continues at Ferrari, which is quite debatable, then I’m not so sure the pairing of two fiery passioned drivers would go down too well (search Nurburgring 2007 behind the podium scenes.)
Getting back to when Kimi would most likely retire, personally I feel he’ll keep racing till 2010. His contract expires after the 2009 season, he may quit then or go for another season. All totally depends on what happens in these next two years. If he’ll win the world title again this year, making that two consecutive world titles with Ferrari, then I assume he’ll call it a day and enjoy life fully like he wants to, but maybe he’ll finish off his contract and continue in 2009 to really have the fun we”ve been dying to see since he left McLaren. Then maybe I also call enjoy life and have free weekends again! But until that day comes, and I’m sure most of us are dreading it already, keep flying Kimi because you rock! And we’ll support your decision 100% because you’ve given us a lot of good memories and deserve to have your life back.
FUCK ISRAEL 
It´s a very good article and your input Saima, as always is right on spot. I don´t know what to think about all this, honestly, I think I agree with you, if he wins again this year, he´ll quit racing or maybe he´ll stay for another year, but without the pressure of having to win again. If he doesn´t win this year, I have no idea what could happen, hopefully he´ll stay and continue for a couple of years……Yesterday I was watching most of your video highlights from last year (I hadn´t watched them all), and I have to tell you I noticed a motivation that doesn´t seem to be there this year, maybe it´s just me….or my imagination has started to play tricks on me due to these rumours :)!Whatever happens, as you said, we have to keep supporting Kimi, and whatever decicions he makes we have to respect them.KEEP FLYING KIMI – KEEP FLYING EVENSTAR – FORZA FERRARI!!!
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I’ve read a few articles on this, some say that he’ll go at the end of this year, if not the end of 2009 when Alonso is to take his seat, and I have to say that I hope they’re wrong. It may be a bit selfish on my part that I hope he races for a few more years, but the idea of the paddock being left to collosal ego corporate men really leaves me cold. He may be the media’s nightmare interviewee, but the fact that he doesn’t whinge, bitch and moan about his car or other drivers is a breath of fresh air in a paddock full of drama queens (Hakkinen is also missed by me for this reason). But Kimi has also stated that he’s enjoying his driving more now he’s at Ferrari, and although he mentioned that he has no wish to continue as long as Barrichello, I feel he may stay longer than he would have done if he was still at McLaren. He’s only 28, would be good if he could he see his way clear to driving until Mika’s age before he retires. Would make me very happy!
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I completely agree Nicki! But like Sol also said, it’s really unknown and the media can speculate all they like. I’m not sure even Kimi knows exactly when he’ll call it a day.I was just chatting about it with my sister, and she sounded more upset than me! Thinking about it again, I do think (and its also selfish on my part) that Kimi should stay for a full 10 years since he joined in 2001, that would mean he’ll finish in 2011, two years after his current contract expires. That would be nice, and not too hasty either.Ultimately, and bless Kimi for saying it, he’s going to stay when he feels he’s enjoying himself, not to beat records or become the greates Finnish driver ever etc That’s truly a great sportsman quality, who’s not full of arrogance but reminds us he’s a normal guy too and relishes his family/friends lives.I’d just be very sad when he goes, it brings me to tears just thinking about it really. He’s got a full on battle to finish off this year though and that’s all we should focus on and I’m sure it’s all he’s thinking about too. Keep flying Kimi, we love you!!!
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Nice article!
Of course, the time Kimi chooses to quit will be a sad one. Still, nobody wishes to leave F1 in the same manner as Damon Hill or Jacques Villeneuve.
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Remember that the rules change next year. They might as well put slots down the tracks and drive the cars with pre-programmed throttle levers for all the drivers will be able to make any useful input. F1 will become a meaningless technological race in the interest of developing road cars. Excuse me – do F1 have ABS, Stability enhancement, moving aerodynamics. If the rule makers don’t change the sport has gone, so have the best crop of drivers since D.Hill, J.Herbert, J.Hunt, K.Rosberg et all. The current young aces are doing a great job with the current cars. Lets just simplify the wings, and the rules and let the drivers entertain us by demonstrating their individual skills and weaknesses. Olde Walde.
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Thanks for pointing that out, OldeWalde. The rules indeed will be changing for next year and it’s such a shame really. F1 is under a lot of tension on their impact globally and changing to the sacrifice of what racing is meant to be about. Kimi certainly won’t find much fun if all the points of racing is strained, and I guess the likes of Kubica too will prefer to go rallying.
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Oo-er! This could be a new twist!http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/26479-Is-Raikkonen-really-going-to-wave-goodbye-in-2009-Or-maybe-Going full circle??
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Heh, I read that too earlier today. I wouldn’t count on it, but I have nothing to go against it either. I cheer on BMW too, so that would be a brilliant surprise from Kimi….
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Wow, just read the bleacherreport.com article, and sounds pretty interesting. If Kimi does indeed feel that he needs a new challenge, for certain BMW would be the best option. They´re the one of the best teams, who only need a little push, and Kimi would give them more than a little push. Plus Mario Thiessen for me is one of the few team bosses, if not the only one, who´s truly nice, never trashes other teams and is always optimitics about his team´s chances.Let´s wait and see, I think everyone, including myself is jumping to early conclusions.In the meantime – KEEP FLYING KIMI!!!
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And look at Kubica’s amazing position in the championship. He’s just 6 off Hamilton’s lead, and a mere 3 off Kimi. Can’t even write him off for winning this year’s title! BMW have come strong and will get stronger.But I personally don’t feel Kimi needs or wants another challenge after Ferrari. Let’s wait and see how the Ferrari story turns out first, after he’s done the bloody full 3 years contract! *rolls eyes at the media*
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Incase anyone else in interested, another article (someone’s guessing lol)The-Hidden-Agenda-Behind-Raikkonen-s-Retirement-Plans
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