He may have left the relentless demands of Formula 1 behind, but Kimi Räikkönen — the man the world knows as the “Iceman” — has found a new kind of race. This one isn’t about championship points or podium glory; it’s about fatherhood, patience, and a little girl discovering the thrill of speed for the first time.
The 2007 F1 World Champion, who officially retired in 2021, has traded team garages for family garages and the deafening noise of race day for the quiet but joyful hum of life in Finland. Yet, for someone like Kimi, racing will always be in the blood — and now, he’s sharing that with his 5-year-old daughter, Rianna.
In a scene that quickly went viral among motorsport fans, Räikkönen was spotted crouched next to a miniature go-kart, speaking quietly to Rianna as she sat behind the wheel in a tiny racing suit and helmet. The “track” may have been set up in their backyard, but the atmosphere was pure racing — cones, a mini-pit stop area, and of course, the iconic Räikkönen calm.
Kimi posted the moment with his trademark understatement:
“Teaching her the basics. Let’s see where it goes.”
It was the perfect blend of fatherly pride and characteristic Kimi nonchalance. No big declarations, no flashy statements — just a simple, sincere moment between a dad and his daughter.
Though his racing days are behind him, Kimi has never completely stepped away from the sport. His garage still holds his old helmets, his children have grown up around circuits, and the family often attends motorsport events together.
Rianna and her younger brother Robin have inherited their father’s curiosity for speed. While Robin has shown early interest in dirt bikes, Rianna seems drawn to the precision and focus of kart racing. Family friends have quietly hinted that she has an unusually steady hand on the wheel for her age — not to mention a fearless streak that might just remind fans of her father in his prime.
For Räikkönen, these early lessons are about far more than teaching his daughter how to race.
“It’s not about pressure,” he explained to a Finnish sports outlet. “If she likes it, we’ll keep going. She’s learning to focus, to stay calm, to make small adjustments — those skills help in life too.”
Minttu Räikkönen, Kimi’s wife, captured another side of the day in a candid Instagram story: Kimi and Rianna sharing a laugh mid-session, the kart parked to the side as the two chatted about something only they understood. She captioned it simply:
“Some things run in the family.”
Since stepping away from Formula 1, Räikkönen’s life has been noticeably more private and family-oriented. He’s embraced the chance to be present for moments he often missed during his career — school drop-offs, birthdays, family holidays, and now, days spent in the driveway teaching his little girl how to corner like a pro.
While there’s always speculation about whether retired champions might stage a comeback, Kimi seems perfectly content in this chapter of his life. Friends describe him as more relaxed, more at ease, but still fiercely competitive when it comes to games with his kids — even if it’s just who can eat breakfast the fastest.
Whether Rianna chooses to pursue motorsport seriously or just keep karting as a hobby, one thing is certain: she’ll always have one of the coolest, most experienced mentors in the world. The thought of another Räikkönen taking to the starting grid may be exciting for fans, but for Kimi, the joy is in the here and now — in watching his daughter’s face light up with every lap she completes.
And so, while the grandstands may no longer roar for Kimi Räikkönen, a smaller, sweeter audience cheers him on at home. In their little family circuit, there are no trophies, no points — just shared joy, laughter, and the simple thrill of teaching a child something you love.
In Kimi’s own words:
“It’s just driving. But it’s also family. And that’s the best part.”
