When a young 21-year-old Kimi Raikkonen debuted in 2001, everyone was on their toes to see the young talent perform at the highest levels of racing. Kimi had broken the rulebooks becoming one of the youngest to race in the sport after having just received his F1 Superlicense.
And in his first race, The Finn proved why he was given the racing seat by Peter Sauber. The youngster finished P6 earning his first F1 points.
There is no doubt that Kimi Raikkonen was the most talented driver to ever feature in the sport. But had the “Iceman” been a little more disciplined, Raikonnen, like Michael Schumacher, would have retired with multiple titles to his name.
“Kimi could have achieved more,” reckons Ralf Schumacher
F1 is a very demanding sport. Drivers must devote hours behind the wheel, on track and in simulators and must abide by a disciplined lifestyle with very little personal life. But none of these defined Kimi Raikonnen.
Kimi partied harder than anyone on the grid. The Finn enjoyed being himself and used to harness all his talent. But according to Michael Schumacher’s brother Ralf, this is the reason the Finn only accomplished 1 World Championship.
Ralf claims Michael Schumacher was the person who ended F1’s party culture. But Kimi was non like it and enjoyed a couple of drinks and partied after or even before races.
“That’s why Kimi Raikkonen must have been an ultra-mega talent,” Schumacher stated. “He still won the title despite his sometimes easy-going lifestyle. But only once.
He adds, “But that was enough for him. Had Kimi been more disciplined, he would have achieved much more.”Raikkonen might have been one of the best drivers of his time, but this certainly limited his name for appearing in the list of greatest of all tome.
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Michael Schumacher’s first impression of Kimi Raikonnen
Michael Schumacher first spotted Kimi Raikkonen when the latter was testing for Sauber at Mugello. Schumacher was present at the same time as he had just finished a couple of laps with Ferrari.
And the Finn managed to impress the German within a couple of laps of testing. Schumacher himself claims that the times set by the youngster were remarkable for a rookie.
By the end of the session, Michael pointed out to Jean Todt to keep an eye on Raikonnen. Eventually, Ferrari did come calling for his services in 2006.
Kimi signed a 3-year deal with the Maranello outfit becoming the highest-paid F1 driver on the grid. He would go on to win his first and only F1 World Championship in 2007 in his first season with Ferrari.
