Raikkonen: ‘I have no idea why fans like me’

Ex-Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen says he has no idea why fans of the sport like him so much.

Raikkonen, who retired from Formula 1 at the end of last season, was one of the most popular drivers in the sport, having competed in 349 Grand Prix since his debut season in 2001 with the Sauber F1 team.

Raikkonen joined McLaren in 2002 where Ron Dennis, who was team principal of the Woking-based outfit, gave the Finn the nickname ‘The Iceman’ – a name that stuck with him for the rest of his career where he quickly became a firm fan favourite.

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“I don’t know why they like me,” Raikkonen said in an interview with Motorsport.com.

“Maybe because I am what I am. Consistently odd or weird, or whatever you want to call it!

“It’s normal for me, but for outside, maybe not for everybody.

“But I’ve done it exactly on my own terms, most of the way anyway.

“Here and there, you need to somewhat go in another way. Obviously more, in the beginning, it’s more difficult, because they try to put you somewhere. But if you don’t, they kind of give up on trying to change you.”

Mattia Binotto on Kimi Raikkonen: "Kimi can always be trusted. He is very respectful, even if he doesn't say much.

"But his behaviour shows that he