EXCLUSIVE: Kimi Raikkonen on returning to the F1 paddock, son Robin’s karting skills and his namesake Antonelli

Kimi Raikkonen made a welcome return to the Formula 1 paddock last weekend as the 2007 world champion and his family visited Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. At the end of his visit, F1.com caught up with the Finn about what he got up to, how his son Robin is following in his footsteps and another Kimi who’s been making a name for himself…

The Iceman makes a comeback

Raikkonen may have been out of F1 for two-and-a-half years, but he remains one of the sport’s most popular figures, with a glittering career that included memorable stints at legendary teams McLaren and Ferrari complemented by an ice-cool, no-nonsense attitude.

BEYOND THE GRID: ‘I wouldn’t change a single thing’ – Kimi Raikkonen on his career and retirement from F1

Boasting almost 350 race starts, which puts him second in the all-time list behind Fernando Alonso, along with 18 pole positions, 21 Grand Prix victories, more than 100 podiums and that title triumph, it’s no surprise people were queuing up to reconnect and reminisce with him at the Temple of Speed.

Raikkonen’s return included a catch-up with old colleagues at Sauber, who gave the Espoo native his F1 debut back in 2001, and a stint watching some free practice action from the pit garages, all alongside his wife Minttu and their children Robin, Rianna and Grace.

As his comeback wrapped up, Raikkonen spared a few minutes to speak with F1.com about the experience in the middle of the Monza paddock – a swarm of fans and photographers promptly surrounding him.

READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Alfa Romeo’s spectacular Kimi Raikkonen send-off

“Good, good!” Raikkonen smiles, having last raced an F1 car at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he saw out his career with the Sauber-operated Alfa Romeo team. “[I’ve been] visiting a lot of people, but it’s nice to be back.

“I think the kids wanted to come, they enjoyed, and we saw a lot of old friends, so I cannot complain. Then [there were] obviously a lot of new faces in the teams that we visited, so it changes quickly!”

Another Raikkonen on the way to F1?

It’s clear that family is a focus for Raikkonen after life in F1.

His wife and children were by his side throughout the day at Monza, with Robin – on a high after he met a host of current F1 stars and even sat behind the wheel of the Mercedes W15 – hugging Raikkonen Senior in the middle of our conversation.

READ MORE: From wild man to family man: Kimi Raikkonen on life as a racing dad

“It’s been busy,” Raikkonen says of family life and what the last couple of years have looked like. “We moved to Italy, I’ve been a mechanic for Robin [as he settles into karting], Rianna is doing gymnastics, and we have a small one [Grace], so a busy family life! But it’s been great.”

With Robin already looking rapid in a go-kart from videos and updates posted on social media, what are the chances of him following in his father’s footsteps and one day reaching F1?

“Ah, he’s enjoying,” adds Raikkonen. “Everything is going nicely. We’ll see. If something comes or not, who knows? But he’s having fun – that’s the main thing.”

F1 competition “good for all the fans”

A lot has changed since Raikkonen last competed in F1 himself.

Max Verstappen won his first world title at that aforementioned Yas Marina race in 2021 and, since then, the Dutchman has become a three-time champion via dominant 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

READ MORE: The real Kimi Raikkonen: a Finnish perspective on the Iceman

However, while Red Bull threatened to win everything before them again in 2024, gains from rivals McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes have produced one of the most competitive seasons in recent history.

Asked how much he keeps an eye on F1 these days, the now 44-year-old begins: “Not much, because there’s always something that we’re doing with the kids and the family.

“When [there’s] been time when we’ve been home and it’s been on TV, I watch, I still have the interest, but I don’t know everything like I used to know, obviously.

“But it’s good. [It’s] interesting to see always how it goes. It looks like things are getting closer now in the racing, so it’s good for F1 and all the fans.”

What Kimi thinks of F1’s next Kimi

Speaking of fans, the arrival of another ‘Kimi’ in F1 has sparked plenty of interest among onlookers – with confirmation that Kimi Antonelli will make his debut for Mercedes next year coming on the same day Raikkonen set foot in the paddock again.

ANALYSIS: Why Mercedes chose to take a risk and sign 18-year-old Antonelli for 2025

It means that Italy will be represented on the F1 grid for the first time since 2021, when Antonio Giovinazzi partnered Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo, and the latter is intrigued to see how the highly rated 18-year-old gets on.

“Yeah, I heard! When we came here, somebody said that they announced it!” Raikkonen chuckles, before pointing to the influx of new talent on the way for 2025, which includes Ferrari-backed Oliver Bearman at Haas and Jack Doohan at Alpine.

“It’s great. A lot of new faces, I think, coming next year, a lot of new drivers that have been signed to F1. It’s good for the sport, and it’s also great to have an Italian in the championship. It’s good for everybody, I think.”

“When I started, there was no simulator!”

Comparisons have already been made between the two Kimis by F1 journalists – and not just because of their names.

It’s also due to both drivers experiencing particularly rapid rises in the junior scene. Raikkonen completed only 23 car races before his F1 graduation, while Antonelli has jumped from F4 to Formula Regional to F2 over the last couple of years.

WATCH: The inside of story of how a ‘regenerated’ Raikkonen made his surprise return to F1

So, is there any advice the elder Kimi would give F1’s newest prospect?

“I’m sure they know how to get him ready,” he says, with Antonelli claiming victories at every level so far. “Obviously, these days they have simulators. When I started, there was no simulator, you [just] jumped in and got going!

“I think it’s much easier [to move up to F1], in many ways, now. You can do a lot of testing, obviously, and get ready. I wish them and all the rest all the best!”

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