Raikkonen: 'Family is much more important than racing'

Kimi Raikkonen reflects on how fatherhood has changed him and that he would walk away from Formula 1 if he didn't enjoy the racing.

Father of two, Raikkonen spoke to El Pais about his priorities as he enters the final season of his contract with Alfa Romeo.

"Fatherhood changes your schedules completely. Also, you worry much more," said Raikkonen.

"In the end, they are young children, they need you, and there are other new things that are suddenly more important in your life.

"Now the family is much more important than racing, even if you enjoy running. I miss them a lot when I'm out.

"That is surely the hardest part, being away from home so long because there is much more boredom behind F1 than what appears."

Typically short in his responses to media, Raikkonen has gained somewhat of a cult status among fans, but the Finn says he is simply happy being himself.

“Obviously, it makes me happy that there are followers who like me, there are also those who don’t like me, but I just try to do the things that make me happy," Raikkonen added.

“As long as you do things that make you happy as a person that is all that matters.

“If you are happy that will help you in your work, be it driving a car or any other, it will help you in your daily life.

“If people like it, great; if they don’t like it, well that’s fine too. Each one is as it is.

“Besides, I never do anything to please anyone. I do what I do thinking about me.”

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