2021 won’t determine Raikkonen’s future

Kimi Raikkonen has said that his decision regarding his future in Formula 1 will not be influenced by the 2021 regulation changes. 

The sport is set to undergo huge changes from the 2021 season onwards, with Liberty and the teams currently in negotiations to reduce costs and bring the teams closer together in terms of performance.

Raikkonen is out of contract with Alfa Romeo at the end 0f 2020 but says the outcome of these negotiations will not impact whether he decides to stay after that.

“No, no. Because in the end you see, we make a big rule change, you never know,” Raikkonen told reporters in Monaco.

“Generally, the big teams are still there, because they have the research to do a lot of different things and figure out the best way to do it.

“Maybe it would be nice that if everything got much closer, for the sport, not just for the drivers, but for the sport.

“Obviously I have a contract for next year, and after that, we’ll see how things go and if I’m interested. If not…”

This weekend marks his 300th Grand Prix in Formula 1, and the Finn is typically unemotional about the feat.

“I’m not here because I can do the most grands prix – it gives me absolutely zero pleasure. It’s purely a number,” he added.

“I’ve already told the team a while ago I don’t want… it’s as any other race here, but people try to celebrate. It’s a number, what’s the difference?

“I tried to force them to cancel everything, but not very good success so far!”