Hamilton: Raikkonen has plenty of years left in him

Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says that Kimi Raikkonen has plenty more to prove in Formula 1 amid rumours his career will soon come to a close. The Iceman is reportedly set to be replaced by Charles Leclerc next year with an announcement due this week.

Hamilton revealed weeks ago that he used to play as Raikkonen while playing F1 video games when he was growing up. Last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, the pair were embroiled in a battle for the win, with Hamilton beating the 37-year-old to the top spot.

Raikkonen claimed his first pole position of the year last Saturday, and Hamilton believes that the 2007 world champion has pace to show in the sport: “I made it no secret that before I even got to Formula 1, when I was playing the PlayStation I was always Kimi in the McLaren, imagining that was me.

“Then I remember the first car I drove at McLaren, which was Kimi’s set-up and the suspension that he would use. It was an amazing experience and it was cool because I think our driving style was kind of similar, which meant that I ended up being quite comfortable with the set-up that he used back then.

“He’s had an incredible career and it’s been a real honour to race against a great Finn such as him. He looks like he’s just ice-cold. He’s just got plenty of years left in him. He’s not seeming to age.”

I don't have a problem with what you suggest, but technically this is an English language site and those characters don't exist in English so it's not actually incorrect. Offensive, maybe, incorrect English, no.

  • 1
  • Sep 8 2018 - 23:15

Replies (6)

Login to reply
  • Lotus4Ever

    Posts: 26

    Grosjean out - Raikkonen in

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2018 - 10:39
  • Freguz

    Posts: 160

    Why can't web editors use the real characters for the drivers name?

    The nordic letters are easily fetched from any online encoder. Would increase the status of the website if you could do that I think.

    And f1today.net is using the great utf-8 encoding so shoudl be no problems

    "HAMILTON: RÄIKKÖNEN HAS PLENTY OF YEARS LEFT IN HIM"

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2018 - 10:56
    • änd ÿöü cän gët möst ö thëm ön thë mäjörïtÿ öf këÿböärds änÿwäÿ üsïng thë ¨^~ këÿ.

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2018 - 16:51
    • Freguz

      Posts: 160

      :-) you are hired

      • + 0
      • Sep 7 2018 - 17:24
    • I don't have a problem with what you suggest, but technically this is an English language site and those characters don't exist in English so it's not actually incorrect. Offensive, maybe, incorrect English, no.

      • + 1
      • Sep 8 2018 - 23:15
  • Freguz

    Posts: 160

    Why not use the real characters in a drivers name?

    HAMILTON: RÄIKKÖNEN HAS PLENTY OF YEARS LEFT IN HIM

    • + 0
    • Sep 7 2018 - 10:56

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,566
  • Podiums 133
  • Grand Prix 234
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar