Raikkonen delivers ‘much easier’ verdict as ‘the next Kimi’ rises to F1

Former F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen believes it is “much easier” to prepare for life in the so-called pinnacle of motorsport than it was in the past.

The 2007 drivers’ champion famously graduated to F1 in 2001 having only completed 23 car races up to that point.

There was pushback at the time, but the Finnish driver went on to prove his worth, winning 21 grand prix in a career spanning over 20 seasons.

Now, the 44-year-old feels the tools available to young racers makes that step, and settling into F1, a more straightforward prospect than when he competed.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, often dubbed ‘the next Kimi’, has been confirmed as George Russell’s team-mate at Mercedes next season.

The young Italian has forged a similar path to Raikkonen, having jumped from F4 to Formula Regional and bypassed FIA F3 en route to his single F2 season in the space of just two years.

When asked if there was any wisdom he would like to impart on his namesake, Raikkonen replied: “I’m sure they know how to get him ready.”

“Obviously, these days they have simulators. When I started, there was no simulator, you [just] jumped in and got going,” he added, underlining the developmental help on offer.

“I think it’s much easier [to move up to F1], in many ways, now. You can do a lot of testing, obviously, and get ready.”

Antonelli marks the first Italian on the F1 grid since Raikkonen’s final team-mate in the championship lost his seat in 2021.

The ex-Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus driver believes that, along with Antonelli the number of rookies moving into F1 next year is “good for the sport”, whilst highlighting how “great” it is to have the next Italian driver.

The Mercedes junior will be joined by, at least, Prema team-mate Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan, with the two remaining seats, at RB and Stake, also potentially going to rookies.

Liam Lawson is expected to get a full-time drive and Theo Pourchaire and Gabriel Bortoleto are closely linked to the Sauber – future Audi – entry, who Raikkonen twice raced for, first under its original name and later when it was Alfa Romeo.

“It’s great. A lot of new faces, I think, coming next year, a lot of new drivers that have been signed to F1,” he said.

“It’s good for the sport, and it’s also great to have an Italian in the championship. It’s good for everybody, I think.”