Raikkonen - My life was always more important than F1

Kimi Raikkonen has declared F1 was "never" the most important aspect of his life as he always placed far greater value on home and family.

Raikkonen competed in F1 for 19 seasons from 2001 through to 2021, with a two-year pause in 2010 and 2011 to try his hand in other categories.

The 2007 champion was famed during his time in the paddock for his love of racing but also for his disdain of all the ancillary work that goes with the job.

Speaking to GPFans in a late-season interview, Raikkonen was asked if he would miss the sport.

"Time will tell, who knows," said the Finn. "I'm sure if it's the racing. But then there are a lot of other categories to go racing and it could be better racing, racing closer.

"It [F1] has taken a lot of time from my life over the years but it's never been the main thing in my life. I've always appreciated my life much more than what happens in F1.

"In the end, it's racing, and good or bad, it's not going to change my life in many ways."

As for whether he had enjoyed his career as an F1 driver, with a smile, Raikkonen added: "I wouldn't have done it for that long if I hadn't have enjoyed it.

"I enjoy the racing, the driving, solving the issues that we come across. The rest, I never enjoyed it, but that's part of F1.

"Obviously, there have been good days, bad days, but it's the same in normal life. You might have a bad day one day and the next it's completely different."

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