Kimi Raikkonen has brushed off any importance of a major Formula 1 record he’ll surpass during the upcoming 2020 season.
At the Austrian Grand Prix in June, the 40-year-old is set to start his 323rd Grand Prix, one more than Rubens Barrichello who retired on 322 starts after the 2011 Brazilian GP.
By the end of this year, Raikkonen’s total should reach 334 and while an expanding calendar has made the record easier to reach, to still have the career longevity of what will be 18 seasons after this one is still remarkable.
However… “On that, I’m not [excited],” the always nonchalant Iceman told Formula1.com. “It gives me nothing.”
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Raikkonen though is hoping his second year at Alfa Romeo can see a little more progression after 2019 tapered off in the second half but for a fourth place amid the madness in Brazil.
“I’m excited now to have another go and we can improve from this year and learn the lessons from what we’ve done wrong and what we’ve done good and get a bit closer to the front,” he continued.
“But time will tell, it’s way too early. Once we start running the cars in the first race… we will get a good idea.”