Raikkonen looking forward to 'pure racing' at Sauber

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Kimi Raikkonen admits his life this year in F1 will be very different at Sauber, but the Finn sees a season of "pure racing" up ahead.

Raikkonen's departure from Ferrari at the end of 2018 was made official along with the announcement of Charles Leclerc's arrival at Maranello.

While many expected the 39-year-old to close the curtain on his F1 career, the veteran of 292 Grands Prix has decided to remain on the grid for another two years, joining the team that brought him into the sport 18 years ago in 2001.

New and improved Sauber now an 'attractive' proposition

After enjoying a second competitive stint with Ferrari, and spending four of his five last years at the Scuderia alongside Sebastian Vettel, Raikkonen will have a more laid-back atmosphere to look forward to at Sauber, where he will be joined by young hopeful Antonio Giovinazzi.

"I’m really looking forward to it," Raikkonen said.

"It’s going to be different in many ways, but the aim will still be the same.

"It’s more pure racing than the other stuff there. Hopefully it will turn out to be good for both of us - that’s the aim.

"I think that’s what we can do but I’m may be completely wrong, but I have a good feeling about it and that’s why I accepted to go back there."

Raikkonen took the opportunity to sample his new working environment at the Abu Dhabi post-season test.

While Sauber made significant progress over the course of the 2018 season, its new driver refrained from making any bold predictions about the Hinwil's squad's prospects.

"I haven’t really thought about it, we’ll see once we start driving the new cars," he explained.

"We’ll see where we are and we’ll go purely by feeling, and we go from there.

"Obviously it’s a different challenge but I enjoy that, so that’s why I took it. If you ask many people there are many different opinions on how it will go.

"We’ll find out and we’ll do our best and I think we have good chance to do some great things. Where that is going to take us, who knows? We’ll find out."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.