Raikkonen future in F1 'won't be dictated' by 2022 regs

©AlfaRomeo

Kimi Raikkonen is excited to see what the future holds come 2022 and F1's news regulations, but the overhaul "won't dictate" whether the Finn stays in the sport or not.

Hopes for a new and improved Formula 1 that will close the field and offer a better spectacle to fans are pinned to the next generation of Grand Prix cars that will be introduced next year.

Raikkonen, who heads into his nineteenth F1 season this year, his third with Alfa Romeo Racing, is excited about the future although the prospect of a more competitive F1 emerging from the new regs will have no bearing on his decision to remain or not on the grid in 2022.

"I think everybody is excited to see what happens, but honestly it doesn’t really dictate if I am racing or not," the Iceman told Sky F1.

"But I hope for the sport, everybody hopes for the sport that it does what they say it is planned to do."

As F1's senior citizen, the 41-year-old has pretty much seen it all over the past two decades, but on the eve of his 331st Grand Prix, Raikkonen's passion remains intact, and the first race of the season is always "a special moment" for the 2007 world champion.

"For sure this sport has changed since 20 years ago, some days are a bit harder than others," he said. "But that I guess is the fun part of the racing."

"The first race of the season is always a special moment, mostly because I have missed the racing.

Read also: Alfa Romeo 'better prepared' after strong pre-season test

"It’s nice to be back in the car for testing, but what makes this sport fun is driving wheel to wheel and you only get that in races, so there is something to look forward to.

"I am not looking at the times from the three days we spent here two weeks ago, because there is no point trying to get any idea about what to expect: soon enough, on Saturday, we will have an indication of where everyone is and what kind of battles we have this year," he added.

"So far, we just have to focus on our work, on improving what we had in testing and on making the most of every opportunity."

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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.