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Jimmie Johnson: Kimi needs to keep going

Jimmie Johnson: Kimi "needs to keep going"

01-12-2018 16:22

Seven time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson believes former Ferrari man, Kimi Raikkonen is "too young" to step down from F1.

The 2007 World Champion, who once attempted to compete in NASCAR competitions, will drive for Sauber next season after being replaced by Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Speaking to Dieter Rencken, Johnson said: “I’m glad he’s still going to be around. I saw him a few years back when he tried NASCAR a few years back.

“I know that there is something about the youth that comes in, they can do some special things, but I see the power of experience in NASCAR. Drivers really get in the sweet spot later in their career.

"Of course there’s a point in time where everybody needs to step away but I think Kimi’s way too young to step away. He needs to keep going.”

Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Raikkonen are all in their thirties and all going strong in the sport, but Johnson admitted he could understand why Spaniard Fernando Alonso had decided to retire from the sport.

“Many of the drivers, even Fernando [Alonso], it’s hard to believe that he’s stepping away at this point but I know he has other desires.”