Kimi Raikkonen has been announced as Team Principal of the Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2022 FIM World Motocross Championship.
Written by Hugh Waring, Edited by Harshi Vashee
The 2007 Formula 1 world champion retired after the season finale at Abu Dhabi in December and announced on Thursday that he would lead alongside former rider and friend Antti Pyrhonen.
The Finn has been keen to note that he is “very serious and focused” on this project and it is not just a “hobby”. Raikkonen throughout his Formula 1 career, had made it known that he has always had a passion for motocross and has posted videos on his social media accounts during the winter off-seasons.
Kawasaki has consequently switched partnerships away from Husqvarna Motorcycles, ending a 7-year alliance. There had already been rumours of such a switch since July 2021, as it was suggested that Kawasaki will side with the Ice 1 Racing team, set up by Raikkonen in 2012.
The 349 Grand Prix starter stated, “I know that the chance of success is always greater with direct factory support so this translates into a great opportunity for us as the new Kawasaki Racing Team in MXGP.”
Raikkonen hopes that this factory support will render success for the upcoming first round at the MXGP of Great Britain, held in Matterley Basin on the 20th of February.
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