Kimi Raikkonen relieved to have left a lot of 'fakes' in F1

MDP Live - Kimi Raikkonen admits that he can be relieved because he is separated from Formula 1 which is now heavily influenced by money and political matters.

One of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1 finally decided to hang up his helmet at the end of the 2021 season.

From his debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix to his most recent 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Raikkonen has played 349 races in 19 seasons playing for five teams: Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo.

No less than 21 victories, 18 pole positions, 46 fastest laps, and 103 podiums were captured by Raikkonen. On the sidelines of these impressive statistics, Raikkonen won the F1 world title in 2007 while wearing Ferrari's uniform.

Last September, when announcing his retirement from F1 after 2021, Raikkonen admitted that he had made the decision (to step down) in the winter before his final season. At that time he said he would no longer go down as a professional racer.

The Finnish man who is now 42 years old has become a popular figure in F1 not only because of his career but also his always honest, open attitude, and very rarely gets involved in political or dramatic matters.

On the sidelines of his last race at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, towards the middle of last December, Raikkonen expressed his frustration with several elements in Formula 1.

“There's already too much nonsense here. At least for my mind to wonder, what is going on here," Raikkonen told Motorsport.com.

When asked what things didn't make sense to him, Raikkonen replied: “All kinds of lies are here. We all know but no one reveals it. Things I don't think should happen.

“A lot of things here are fake. So, it's good to be out of here. Mentally, it's good to come out of all these lies."

Raikkonen admits it was "easier for him to come back" to F1 after two years of rest in 2010 and 2011 because he knows what to expect after returning because he will be back in the exact same way as he was.

"I know what I'm looking for when I come out (F1). It turns out, there are more lies (inside) than what people see from the outside (F1)," said Raikkonen.

Kimi Raikkonen also reminisced about the F1 era when he made his debut in 2001. At that time, he didn't find things that made it difficult for him to get down in F1 because "everything was new" and they were "not what they are now".

Raikkonen also highlighted that money has been a very big factor influencing Formula 1. "Money, obviously money has changed (everything in F1) like any other sport," said Raikkonen.

“The more money you put in, the bigger the political aspect. In general, in every country, there must be games that people never know until they are in the system. You probably know this.

"Obviously, money plays a big role here, and power. I think people want to have power here and there. I think there are more great politicians (in F1) who might do well in real politics."

Many judge that F1 is currently losing a little direction and lacking a bit when looking at the pure side of racing or not.

“That kind of thing has been going on for years, a very long time. Only, maybe people are more aware of it now,” said Raikkonen lightly.

When asked whether he was not interested in knowing what the political side of F1 was, Kimi Raikkonen just laughed. He said that not taking things too far made him comfortable.

"I'm not involved in that kind of business. I knew a lot was going on but wasn't involved. If you get involved in things like that, I don't think it's good for your health," said Kimi Raikkonen.