Raikkonen Steps Out of Number Two Shadow at Ferrari, Says Hakkinen
Mika Hakkinen believes Kimi Raikkonen’s recent form and contract renewal show he is no longer just a supporting act to Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari.
Kimi Raikkonen’s performances during the latter half of the 2015 Formula One season have convinced two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen that his compatriot is moving beyond the ‘number two’ status at Ferrari. Raikkonen, who had previously struggled to match first Fernando Alonso and then Sebastian Vettel, has recently secured a contract extension for 2016 and delivered a strong qualifying result at Monza, outpacing Vettel for a front-row start.
Hakkinen, writing in his regular column, pointed to Raikkonen’s Monza performance as evidence that the 35-year-old Finn is not content to play a supporting role. Raikkonen’s ability to beat Vettel in qualifying marked his best Saturday showing since returning to Ferrari, and Hakkinen suggested this could alter the dynamic between the two drivers. According to Hakkinen, Vettel’s attitude may shift as Raikkonen’s pace demonstrates his competitiveness within the team.
Contract renewal and team harmony
Ferrari’s decision to extend Raikkonen’s contract for another year was not based solely on results. Team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has pointed to the positive working relationship between Raikkonen and Vettel as a factor in the decision. Arrivabene credited Vettel with bringing enthusiasm to Ferrari and helping to stabilise the team dynamic, but also emphasised the importance of cooperation between the two drivers.
Raikkonen’s renewed form and the team’s emphasis on internal harmony suggest Ferrari values both his pace and his role in maintaining a constructive atmosphere. The Monza qualifying result was a public demonstration that Raikkonen can still deliver at the highest level when the car and circumstances suit.
Raikkonen’s trajectory at Ferrari
Raikkonen’s first stint at Ferrari brought him the 2007 world championship, but his return in 2014 saw him largely in the shadow of Alonso. The arrival of Vettel in 2015 continued the pattern, with Raikkonen often trailing his new teammate. The Monza result, however, and the confidence shown by Ferrari in renewing his deal, have fuelled speculation that Raikkonen is reasserting himself as a contender rather than a clear number two.
- Raikkonen joined Ferrari in 2007, winning the championship that year.
- Left F1 after 2009, returning with Lotus in 2012.
- Rejoined Ferrari in 2014, initially outperformed by Alonso and then Vettel.
- Secured 2016 Ferrari contract following improved performances.
Whether Raikkonen can maintain this momentum through the rest of the season and into 2016 remains to be seen, but for now, his resurgence has shifted perceptions within the team and among observers. For more on Raikkonen’s career moves, seeKimi Raikkonen to Race in Both WRC and NASCAR in 2011.
