‘F1 here we come’ – Raikkonen back on the podium

There was a Raikkonen back on the podium over the weekend, on the karting circuit.

But it wasn’t Kimi. Instead, it was the former Formula 1 driver’s son, Robin Ace.

The eight-year-old finished on the podium for the first time on the junior karting circuit.

Sharing a picture of Raikkonen junior on Instagram, Gino Rosato – who worked with Raikkonen at Ferrari – wrote: “That’s my boy at 8 years old fighting 11 years olds, first race on the podium! F1 here we come!”

‘F1 here we come’ – Raikkonen back on the podium

While Robin Ace is taking his early steps in motorsports, Raikkonen will be hoping that he can follow in his footsteps.

There is a long linage of fathers and sons both competing at the pinnacle of motorsport in differing eras.

Max Verstappen, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Nico Rosberg are just some of the names who have followed in their fathers’ footsteps.

Raikkonen married fitness and underwear model Minna-Mari Virtanen in 2016, a year after the couple had their first child, Robin Ace.

They had their second child in 2017, that time a daughter, and announced that they are expecting a third child earlier this year.

Kimi Raikkonen goes from ‘Bwoah’ to BABY as wife Minttu reveals retirement bonus

Kimi Raikkonen‘s retirement from F1 may have reduced a legion of adoring fans to tears, but it provided a massive silver lining for the Finn’s family.

The 2007 world champion is about to become a father for the third time, and wife Minttu has been speaking about the joyous news with Vogue Scandinavia.

The 36-year-old revealed that she does not believe a sister for eight-year-old Robin and five-year-old Rianna would have happened if her 43-year-old husband was still on the grid.

Minttu Raikkonen on baby joy

She said: “We have a boy and a girl, so I thought that’s perfect – this is it. But then my husband retired so he’s been more at home.

“Luckily, it happened. I wouldn’t be here pregnant with the third baby if he was still driving.”

READ MORE : Williams rejected Toto Wolff’s offer to sign Mick Schumacher for 2024

Kimi Raikkonen dad lowdown

Apparently Raikkonen is a very “hands-on” dad already, with Minttu admitting: “I love that he loves to do things with the kids – he’s very good that way. It’s definitely different now that there are two parents at home.”

There is also a good chance we might see the Raikkonen name continuing to figure in top-level motorsport at some stage in the future, with both his children already showing a passion and aptitude.

“Our son is racing now in a go-kart, so he definitely has an interest,” said Minttu.

“Our daughter is driving as well, but not racing yet. So the interest is there. I will support them in whatever they want to do.”

Williams rejected Toto Wolff’s offer to sign Mick Schumacher for 2024. Mick Schumacher’s F1 Future Uncertain as Williams Rejects Seat for 2024

In a surprising turn of events, Williams has reportedly declined the opportunity to sign Mick Schumacher for the 2024 Formula 1 season, choosing to retain their current driver, Logan Sargeant, instead. This decision, as reported by F1-Insider.com, came after Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, approached Williams’ boss, James Vowles, with the proposal to place Schumacher in the team. Vowles, however, rejected the offer after reviewing the German driver’s simulator data.

The Rejection Ends Schumacher’s 2024 Hopes:
If these reports are accurate, it appears that Mick Schumacher’s hopes of returning to the Formula 1 grid for the 2024 season have been dashed. Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams is the only remaining vacancy for the upcoming season, and with Williams opting to give Sargeant another opportunity to prove himself, Schumacher’s path back to F1 in the immediate future is closed.

Potential Alternatives:
While Williams is committed to giving Sargeant another season, there are rumors that they are considering other options. Felipe Drugovich, the reigning Formula 2 Champion and Aston Martin reserve driver, is believed to be one of the alternatives under consideration. However, no official announcement has been made regarding Williams’ 2024 driver lineup.

Williams rejected Toto Wolff’s offer to sign Mick Schumacher for 2024

Schumacher’s Future with Audi:
For Mick Schumacher, the possibility of returning to Formula 1 now seems remote until at least 2026. This is when Audi is set to complete its 75% takeover of Sauber’s F1 team, potentially opening a door for Schumacher to join their ranks. Until then, Schumacher’s immediate future in motorsport remains uncertain.

Reserve Role at Mercedes:
Despite the setback at Williams, Toto Wolff is reportedly eager to retain Mick Schumacher as Mercedes’ reserve driver for the upcoming season. Schumacher has received significant praise from Wolff, as well as from Mercedes’ drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell throughout the year. Whether Schumacher will accept this role or explore other racing opportunities is yet to be determined.

Exploring Other Racing Ventures:
Mick Schumacher has been in talks with Alpine about joining their Hypercar program in the World Endurance Championship. This move could see him compete in iconic races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It remains unclear whether Alpine would be comfortable with Schumacher simultaneously serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver, but the fact that these would be in different championships might work in his favor.

READ MORE : “Hamilton Drops Bombshell Prediction: Mercedes’ Shocking 2024 Fate Revealed!”

Limited Opportunities in 2023:
During the 2023 season, Mick Schumacher’s opportunities to race in Formula 1 were severely limited. He had only one outing in the Mercedes W14 during a Pirelli tire test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after the Spanish Grand Prix. This marked his first time back in an F1 car since departing from Haas at the end of the 2022 season.

As things stand, Mick Schumacher’s immediate future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, and his options for the 2024 season appear limited. The rejection by Williams has thrown a curveball into his career plans, and his potential role as Mercedes’ reserve driver may be his best bet in the short term. However, with opportunities in other racing series on the horizon, Schumacher’s racing journey may take a different path before a possible return to the pinnacle of motorsport.

“Hamilton Drops Bombshell Prediction: Mercedes’ Shocking 2024 Fate Revealed!”. Lewis Hamilton’s Concerns and Hopes for Mercedes in 2024

In a recent statement, Lewis Hamilton, the legendary Formula 1 driver, has raised concerns about the future of Mercedes in the championship, emphasizing that pivotal decisions made in the upcoming months will determine the team’s trajectory in 2024. Despite the progress made during the season, Hamilton recognizes that there is still a substantial gap to close if Mercedes aims to compete with their rivals, especially Ferrari and McLaren.

Hamilton and his teammate, George Russell, faced a challenging Japanese Grand Prix, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. The duo was outperformed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who secured fourth and sixth positions. Hamilton’s unease with the car’s performance was evident, although he maintains his confidence in the team’s abilities.

“Hamilton Drops Bombshell Prediction: Mercedes’ Shocking 2024 Fate Revealed!”

“It’s bouncing and sliding,” Hamilton commented, describing the car’s behavior during the race. He acknowledged the tremendous effort Mercedes has put into development but noted that the gap to the front of the grid remains significant. However, Hamilton remains optimistic, citing ongoing efforts to address their performance issues.

Hamilton revealed that his input, along with that of teammate George Russell, has been considered in the development of next year’s car. Despite this, he admits uncertainty about the car’s performance in 2024, emphasizing the long road ahead.

Mercedes has undergone substantial changes throughout the season, including a significant alteration to their initial ‘zero sidepod’ concept. While this adaptation has yielded improvements, Hamilton acknowledges that further refinements are necessary to compete effectively next year.

“We’ve got to hope for the next six months to be the greatest six months of development that we’ve ever had,” Hamilton declared. He pointed out McLaren’s strong performance this season, emphasizing the need for Mercedes to study and adopt similar strategies to remain competitive.

READ MORE: Kimi Raikkonen finds new ‘career’ in PRECIOUS sitch shared on Instagram

One of Mercedes’ challenges has been managing downforce, as adding downforce has led to issues with car behavior. Hamilton expressed hope that a change in the team’s philosophy would help resolve this problem and return Mercedes to the level of performance they are capable of achieving.

In closing, Hamilton sent a message of encouragement to the team, reaffirming his faith in their abilities. He stressed the critical nature of decisions to be made in the coming months, underlining their significance in shaping Mercedes’ future trajectory in Formula 1.

Hamilton’s candid remarks highlight the competitive nature of Formula 1 and the relentless pursuit of excellence by top teams like Mercedes. As the season progresses, fans and enthusiasts eagerly await further developments in this gripping championship battle.