Since his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season, Kimi Räikkönen has left a void that few drivers have been able to fill. Known for his ice-cold demeanor, razor-sharp focus, and refusal to play by the conventional rules of modern motorsport, Räikkönen was more than just a driver—he was a personality that defined an era. Fred Vasseur, former Alfa Romeo team principal and now a key figure at Ferrari, recently reflected on Räikkönen’s unique legacy, stating, “There isn’t any driver out there like Kimi Räikkönen since his retirement.”
Kimi Räikkönen earned his nickname “The Iceman” not just because of his Finnish roots, but because of his calm, unshakable approach to racing. Whether under pressure at 300 km/h or facing the global media, he rarely broke his cool exterior. His 2007 Formula 1 World Championship victory with Ferrari remains iconic, as he overcame a 17-point deficit in the final two races to claim the title.
Vasseur’s words highlight the absence of a driver who combines raw speed with such genuine individuality.
“Kimi wasn’t just fast, he was himself, and that’s rare in modern Formula 1,” Vasseur said. “He didn’t care about the politics or the PR game. He came to drive, to win, and to leave. That simplicity and purity of focus is something we’ve not seen since.”
Räikkönen’s career spanned 349 Grand Prix starts, 21 race victories, and 103 podium finishes, but beyond the numbers, it was his personality that set him apart from his peers.
When Räikkönen returned to Sauber—rebranded as Alfa Romeo—in 2019, it was viewed as a homecoming. He started his F1 career with Sauber in 2001, and in his final years, he became a mentor and leader for the team.
“Kimi gave us something no other driver could,” Vasseur explained. “He had nothing to prove, so he worked with a clear head and complete honesty. His feedback was brutally accurate, and he inspired the young drivers to think differently.”
Vasseur recalled how Räikkönen often brought a sense of calm to a team under pressure.
“When everyone else was stressed, Kimi was the one who would walk in with that expressionless face and say, ‘Relax, we know what we need to do.’ That kind of attitude is gold for a team.”
In a sport increasingly dominated by corporate branding and carefully managed images, Räikkönen stood out. He was known for saying what he thought—whether it was on the team radio or in press conferences—and for showing up to do his job without unnecessary fanfare.
His iconic quotes, like “Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”, captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Off track, Räikkönen was equally enigmatic, preferring to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
“Kimi didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t,” Vasseur said. “And that’s why people loved him. You could never mistake him for anyone else—he was 100% Kimi.”
Since retiring, Räikkönen has dedicated more time to his family, particularly his son Robin, who is now making waves in the karting world. Kimi’s life outside F1 has included dabbling in rallying, endurance racing, and even NASCAR events, showing his enduring passion for motorsport.
Although he no longer competes at the pinnacle of racing, Räikkönen’s presence is still felt in the paddock. Younger drivers often speak about how they admired his style and approach, and teams still refer to his data and strategies when analyzing past performances.
Fred Vasseur, who worked closely with Kimi at Alfa Romeo, emphasized that while the current F1 grid is packed with talent, no one replicates Räikkönen’s unique blend of skill and individuality.
“We have incredible young drivers today—Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, and many others,” Vasseur noted. “But Kimi brought something different. It wasn’t just his talent; it was his personality. He had nothing to prove to anyone, and that made him special.”
The absence of a driver like Räikkönen also points to how Formula 1 has evolved. With modern drivers under constant social media scrutiny and heavily branded by sponsors, Räikkönen’s straightforward, no-nonsense style feels almost nostalgic.
Vasseur’s admiration for Räikkönen reflects the broader sentiment in the world of motorsport. Kimi Räikkönen was more than a champion—he was a symbol of authenticity in a highly polished sport. His ability to blend raw speed with effortless cool made him a once-in-a-generation figure.
“Kimi reminded us all what Formula 1 is about—racing,” Vasseur concluded. “No gimmicks, no drama, just racing. And I don’t think we’ll see another driver like him anytime soon.”
