By Joe Murphy
Kimi Raikkonen may have retired at the end of last year, but it has now been revealed that discussions took place between the Finn and Red Bull, several years earlier.
The 2007 World Champion, who also holds the record for most F1 appearances, raced for Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, and Alfa Romeo during his illustrious career. However, Red Bull Team Principal Horner said discussions for Kimi’s signature to join his team in 2014 fell short, however.
“Yes, we had some talks with Kimi, you know, back when there was a choice to who to replace Mark Webber. Kimi, after his comeback from his sabbatical [from 2010-12], he’d obviously had a relationship with Red Bull during his rallying time and the beginning of his career,” said Horner.
“We’d had some discussions, but it didn’t quite come to play. He’s had a remarkable career; he’s an icon of the sport; it’s more of a case of what he doesn’t say than what he does say but I think he’s going to be greatly missed. He’s had a phenomenal career and obviously, still competitive in his 40s.”
It would have been a sensational move to perhaps see the Finn alongside Daniel Ricciardo or Mark Webber. In fact, perhaps he could have added to his world title collection in the process. We’ll never know.
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