Why Kimi Räikkönen is the Perfect Ambassador for Roarington

Kimi Räikkönen, Finnish, World Champion in Formula 1 with Ferrari in 2007, still remains highly popular, even four years after retiring from racing. He boasts millions of followers on Instagram—over three million alone—and is frequently recognized and stopped for selfies and autographs. This is rare for many athletes who retire from sports. It seems even more surprising for a reserved and courageous driver who earned the nickname "Iceman" while competing against other World Champions like Alonso, Vettel, Button, Rosberg, Hamilton, and Schumacher.

In September 2000, Kimi Räikkönen takes his first Formula 1 test in a Sauber C36 at Mugello, showcasing his talent and earning a place on the 2001 grid with the Swiss team.

Yet, the reason for this enduring popularity is clear: people easily relate to him because of his down-to-earth personality, free from any star-like behavior. He began exhibiting this during his racing career, speaking clearly and directly about difficult topics, without fear of controversy, in a Formula 1 world full of gossip and polemics. Fans admire him because of his genuine love for his wife Minttu and their three children, the oldest of whom, Robin, proudly carries the family name while pursuing karting. Räikkönen's refined taste and sense of style—reflected in his contemporary and carefully designed homes—also resonate with people. But above all, he remains someone who is relatable and normal.

In 2003, Kimi Räikkönen narrowly misses out on the Formula 1 Drivers' Title with McLaren Mercedes, finishing just two points behind Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher.

This modern, unprejudiced attitude makes Kimi Räikkönen the perfect fit as an ambassador for Roarington, where he plays an active role and believes in the vision of a futuristic world that complements, without replacing, the real world of classic cars. Roarington enhances reality without overtaking it, a concept that appeals to car enthusiasts like Räikkönen. As a symbol of Roarington, he enjoys spending time at the simulators and mastering both track and road driving, as well as exploring the new opportunities the ever-evolving Roarington world presents. His career, briefly summarized here, further reinforces his image: he was discovered as a talent by Michael Schumacher, who noticed Räikkönen’s speed and confidence during his first Formula 1 test at the age of 20, driving a Sauber.

Kimi Räikkönen becomes Formula 1 World Champion in 2007, beating the McLaren Mercedes duo of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton by just one point.

The following year, driving for McLaren after Mika Häkkinen’s departure, Räikkönen came close to winning the World Championship twice—in 2003 and 2005. When he moved to Ferrari, he won the World Championship in 2007. True to his nature of pursuing his passion fully, Räikkönen then left Formula 1 for World Rally Championship and NASCAR. Despite his success, he found rallying too dangerous and American racing too chaotic, so he returned to Formula 1 in 2012 with Lotus, later rejoining Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Sauber, where he once again found the podium. His official retirement came in 2022, but now he watches from the sidelines as his son Robin takes to the track. Welcome to Roarington, Kimi!

After a two-year break from Formula 1, Kimi Räikkönen returns in 2012 with Lotus, securing six podium finishes and a victory in Abu Dhabi.