He’s back on the grid, but Kimi Räikkönen hasn’t changed one bit. Just days after confirming his sensational return to Formula 1, the 2007 World Champion wasted no time in giving his brutally honest opinion on how the sport has evolved—and not for the better.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his much-anticipated test session at Monza, Räikkönen didn’t hold back when asked about the current state of F1 off the track.
“There’s too much politics now. It’s not racing anymore, it’s about who says what, who’s friends with who, and who’s playing the media. It’s all getting ridiculous.”
For over two decades, Räikkönen has been known for his “no-BS” approach to the sport. Unlike many of today’s drivers who are carefully media-trained and ever-present on social media, Kimi has always let his driving do the talking. And now, he feels that the essence of the sport is being lost in a web of off-track agendas, team politics, and public relations spin.
“I understand the sport has to evolve, but when you spend more time answering political questions than working on the car, something’s wrong,” he said. “Racing should be simple: go fast, do your best. That’s it.
Räikkönen’s comments reflect a growing frustration among F1 veterans and purists who believe the sport has become overly sanitized, with decisions influenced as much by optics and business strategy as by performance on track.
The Finn took particular aim at the way teams and drivers navigate internal politics today:
“Back then, if we had a problem, we sorted it in the garage. Now it’s about statements, team orders made public, or drivers tweeting cryptic things. It’s more like politics in a parliament than motorsport.”
Asked whether he plans to change his approach now that he’s back on the grid alongside younger, more media-savvy rivals like Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli, Räikkönen smiled:
“No. I’ll do my job, drive the car, and go home. If that’s not enough, then I shouldn’t be here.”
It’s a typically Raikkonen-esque answer, echoing the same icy defiance that has earned him respect across generations of fans and competitors alike.
While the sport embraces change—whether through sustainability campaigns, political messaging, or image-conscious branding—Kimi’s return is a powerful throwback to the raw, unfiltered world of racing. For him, it’s not about trending hashtags or manufactured rivalries. It’s about competition, performance, and staying true to yourself.
“I didn’t come back to play political games. I came back to race. That’s the only reason that matters.”
As the 2025 season heats up, one thing is clear: Kimi Räikkönen is still here to cut through the noise with speed, honesty, and ice-cold perspective. And whether you agree with him or not, in a world of carefully curated personas, the Iceman remains refreshingly real.
