Raikkonen announced in September that the 2021 season would be his last in the sport and that a career of more than 20 years would come to an end.
The 42-year-old Finn made his F1 debut at Sauber in 2001 and won the title with Ferrari in 2007, recording a total of 21 victories with the Italian team and McLaren.
Vettel was Raikkonen’s team-mate at Scuderia from 2015 to 2018, and the four-time champion is one of the few drivers the Finn considers his friend.
The German admitted that he had “great respect” for Raikkonen for how it has remained unchanged over the years.
“I think it’s a natural thing,” said Vettel of Raikkonen’s resignation.
“Time goes in one direction, and at some point the time will come for him, and at some point the time will come for me, and at some point the time will even come for Lando, even if there is still a long way to go.
“It’s probably the most natural. Is he missing? Yes. I think he was a real character and I enjoyed my time with him as a teammate.
“But to be fair, I met him before and he’s probably one of the very few drivers I’ve met from day one until today who hasn’t changed in the sense that he’s very, very open and welcoming was. ” me as a little kid when I got into Formula 1, and at that point he was probably the most established Formula 1 driver.
Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing, Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Photo by: Alessio Morgese
“Great respect. I don’t think you can argue or have a problem with Kimi. If so, then the problem is not with him, but with you.
“He’s a great person and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch. I wish him all the best and will miss the silence.”
The two-time world champion Alonso, who was Raikkonen’s partner at Ferrari in 2014, described the Finn as a “very good person” who changes dramatically when he is off the track.
“I think Kimi will be absent from Formula 1,” said Alonso. “I like him a lot, just as he loves the sport in his own way and has been in Formula 1 for so many years.
“I think he’s always very honest, which is what I really like about Kimi. And I think the outside is maybe a mask of cold and iceman, there is a very good person in there who you meet outside of the house from time to time . ” Circuit.
“We meet at airports, in restaurants, in places where you are not in this paddock environment, and Kimi is a different person.
“As I said, he was outstanding for Formula 1 and he will be missed because he has his own character and was different.”
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