Kimi Raikkonen may consider Formula 1 a “hobby” nowadays but he is “pushing like hell” at Alfa Romeo.
The 2007 world champion is enjoying a new challenge in what are likely the final years of his career after returning to where it all began in 2001 at the former Sauber team.
Away from the pressures of Ferrari, Raikkonen admitted F1 has become “fun again” and stated he will continue until he no longer feels he can produce his best.
That might still be a few years away yet though, with Alfa boss Fred Vasseur heralding the impact he has had at the Swiss team.
“Honestly, it’s not (like a hobby) when you are in the briefing or when he’s in the car,” he told Racer.
“When he’s outside of the atmosphere of the weekend perhaps, but I think honestly that’s a great approach. To be fully committed when he’s at work and to release the pressure when you are outside of this system.
“He doesn’t take it easy, that’s absolutely not the case. He’s fully dedicated and fully focused, and he’s pushing like hell on every single detail. You can ask the engineers – nobody will consider that Kimi is on vacation!”
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While admitting the situation at Alfa Romeo is likely less stressful than alongside Sebastian Vettel at the Scuderia, Vasseur also insists it is not easy.
“You can put yourself in the same situation, with the same target to deliver and to achieve,” he said.
“Honestly when you go into the meetings with the engineers he’s paying more attention to every single detail – to the car, to the track – than what I could expect.
“It’s not the bad side of a hobby, he’s not relaxed at all, but perhaps he’s enjoying it a bit more now with less pressure…”
While his no-nonsense approach compared to most has always made him a favourite among fans, the Frenchman also thinks it can be a lesson for up and coming drivers.
“You have so many things to manage at the same time compared to the other series and the way you have to do it before the weekend, during the sessions, in the debrief, is very impressive,” he explained.
“You can’t be relaxed on one point and say ‘OK, let’s forget it’.
“Kimi has this approach to pay attention to every single small detail. He was in the office last week and he made some drawings of the brake pedals because he wants to make some changes, so he did some drawings on a sheet.
“Honestly, I like it. The guy is able to pay attention to every single small detail, it’s a kind of commitment. He’s impressive.”