Hamilton: Raikkonen has plenty of years left in him

Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says that Kimi Raikkonen has plenty more to prove in Formula 1 amid rumours his career will soon come to a close. The Iceman is reportedly set to be replaced by Charles Leclerc next year with an announcement due this week.

Hamilton revealed weeks ago that he used to play as Raikkonen while playing F1 video games when he was growing up. Last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix, the pair were embroiled in a battle for the win, with Hamilton beating the 37-year-old to the top spot.

Raikkonen claimed his first pole position of the year last Saturday, and Hamilton believes that the 2007 world champion has pace to show in the sport: “I made it no secret that before I even got to Formula 1, when I was playing the PlayStation I was always Kimi in the McLaren, imagining that was me.

“Then I remember the first car I drove at McLaren, which was Kimi’s set-up and the suspension that he would use. It was an amazing experience and it was cool because I think our driving style was kind of similar, which meant that I ended up being quite comfortable with the set-up that he used back then.

“He’s had an incredible career and it’s been a real honour to race against a great Finn such as him. He looks like he’s just ice-cold. He’s just got plenty of years left in him. He’s not seeming to age.”