F1: Raikkonen plays down ‘F1 team advisor’ rumors (Update)

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen may not even be interested in a part-time role in the category once he hangs up his Formula 1 helmet.

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur is keen on retaining the 42-year-old in an advisory role to help guide the Sauber-run outfit’s “mid-term development”.

But a new book by Finnish journalist Heikki Kulta called ‘Suomalaisten F1-ajajien matkassa’ quoted Raikkonen as ruling out a full-time role.

“In that case, if I have to be there every time, I’d rather continue to drive. It wouldn’t make any sense,” the 2007 world champion said.

He did not rule out a part-time role, but the Finn has now played that possibility down as well.

When asked what he will do in the future after two decades on the grid, Raikkonen answered: “I really haven’t planned anything, not even in terms of motorsport.

“I don’t want to be tied to a certain program for a while. I’ll let it happen to me.

“But as far as Formula 1 goes, you will hardly see me again – at least not as an expert for television.

“When I didn’t race for two years, I didn’t come to the track either. I didn’t even watch a race,” he smiled.

(GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has shot down rumors he could re-emerge in Formula 1 next year as a team advisor at Alfa Romeo.

The 2007 world champion, who turns 42 next Sunday, is finally retiring at the end of the season with an unprecedented 350-plus grands prix under his belt.

But apart from his driving, the Finn’s boss Frederic Vasseur says Raikkonen also contributes “huge support” to the Swiss team in terms of team and car development.

“I’m not speaking about results on the day-by-day basis, but midterm development on the project,” said the Frenchman.

“He knows perfectly where the performance is coming from. So I think we have time to discuss what we could do in the future.”

However, in a new book by F1 journalist Heikki Kulta about Finnish F1 drivers called Suomalaisten F1-ajajien matkassa, Raikkonen denied he is interested in a Niki Lauda-style team advisory role.

“I can’t imagine such a role, because basically it would still be exactly the same schedule and the same need to travel,” he said.

“In that case, if I have to be there every time, I’d rather continue to drive. It wouldn’t make any sense,” Raikkonen added.

However, he did not rule out a part-time role.