Son, 9, of Lewis Hamilton rival begins following in the footsteps of famous F1 dad

KIMI RAIKKONEN’S son is beginning to follow in the footsteps of his dad after tasting success on track.

Robin Raikkonen is set to compete in his first international kart racing competition.

Instagram @robinacematiasRobin Raikkonen has made a good start to his racing career[/caption]

AFPDad Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 F1 Championship[/caption]

He qualified for the race by winning the Swiss National Championship this year.

Robin, 9, is ready to take on the event at Circuito Internazionale Napoli, Italy, with an Instagram account in his name writing: “Ready for the Grand Finals!”

The youngster picked up a trophy and a huge ticket confirming his place in the Grand Finals, with his race set to take place this week.

Raikkonen, 44, is happy with his son’s progress and is pleased he is having fun behind the wheel.

He said of Robin’s progress: “Ah, he’s enjoying.

“Everything is going nicely. We’ll see. If something comes or not, who knows? But he’s having fun – that’s the main thing.”

Raikkonen has settled into retirement since retiring at the end of the 2021 season and he has worked as a mechanic for Robin.

The Finn competed in 349 F1 races between 2001-09 and 2012-21, winning 21, and raced for the likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber.

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He won the 2007 Championship – the last Ferrari driver to do so, beating Lewis Hamilton to the title by just a point.

Hamilton then got the better of Raikkonen the following year as he won his maiden F1 Championship.

F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s prediction

I EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.

It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.

You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.

Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.

Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.

So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth.