In a move that has sent shockwaves across both the motorsport and global business communities, Kimi Räikkönen — the famously cool and enigmatic 2007 Formula 1 World Champion — has officially entered a groundbreaking $1.2 billion business venture. Known as “The Iceman” for his stoic demeanor and minimal words, Räikkönen’s latest project is anything but quiet. This time, the Finnish racing legend isn’t chasing podiums — he’s chasing legacy.
Kimi Räikkönen, long admired for his unshakeable focus and defiance of celebrity norms, has ventured into a realm many didn’t expect: international business. The venture, called Nordic Core Group, is a consortium focused on renewable energy innovation, smart mobility technology, and Arctic climate solutions. Co-founded with a group of prominent Nordic entrepreneurs, scientists, and environmental engineers, the company aims to invest in and develop sustainable technology across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
“Racing was my first love, but the planet we race on needs saving,” Räikkönen said in a rare press conference in Helsinki. “This is not about image. It’s about doing something meaningful that matters — for my kids and everyone’s future.”
Räikkönen’s new company has deep roots in Nordic values: innovation, environmental consciousness, and resilience. The business spans three major verticals:
- GreenTech Engineering – focusing on hydrogen fuel cell development and Arctic wind farm energy.
- Next-Gen Mobility – pioneering electric snowmobiles and autonomous rural transport solutions.
- Climate Intelligence – investing in AI-based weather forecasting and climate resilience systems for cold-weather regions.
The company already has $300 million secured in governmental and private investment, with projections indicating it could grow into a $1.2 billion valuation by the end of 2027.
Behind every major life move of Kimi’s is his wife, Minttu Räikkönen, who has been a stabilizing and supportive force since the couple married in 2016. Minttu, a model and fitness influencer, has expressed excitement about the venture. “Kimi may not speak often, but when he does, it’s powerful. This project is born from a place of real purpose, and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” she said via Instagram, posting a picture of the family — including their two children — visiting a wind farm in northern Finland.
Their children, Robin and Rianna, are reportedly fascinated with the electric snowmobiles that the company is piloting.
Although he retired from Formula 1 in 2021, Räikkönen has remained active in motorsports through his connections with NASCAR and other racing circles. But this business venture marks a clear shift in focus — from speed to strategy, from trophies to transformation.
“People often assume I don’t care,” Kimi said with a faint smirk. “I do. I just don’t need to talk about it all the time.”
Within days of the announcement, shares in several clean-tech companies in Scandinavia experienced a surge. Analysts say Räikkönen’s brand carries enormous weight, especially in markets where authenticity and environmental awareness are highly valued.
“We’ve seen athletes pivot to business before, but this one feels different,” said Helga Mikkelsen, a business journalist with Forbes Nordic. “Kimi has never chased the limelight. The fact that he’s backing a sustainability company with such scale and ambition is proof of a serious, long-term commitment.”
The Nordic Core Group is set to unveil its first public product — an off-grid solar-charged snowmobile — at the Arctic Future Summit in December. Räikkönen will headline the event, alongside a panel of climate scientists and innovators.
Meanwhile, fans around the world are celebrating the “coolest” move of the Iceman’s post-racing life.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) summed it up perfectly:
“Kimi went from flying on racetracks to helping save the planet — without changing his expression once. Legend.”
In typical Kimi Räikkönen fashion, when asked if he had any final words about the massive venture, he shrugged and said:
“I’m not doing this to impress anyone. I just think it’s the right thing to do. And it’s interesting. That’s enough.”
As the racing world waves its checkered flag to his career, Kimi Räikkönen is gearing up for a different kind of race — one that’s measured in impact, not speed. From frozen circuits to climate-smart technologies, the Iceman’s legacy is about to become bigger, bolder, and greener than ever before.
