From Kimi to Jos: Robin Raikkonen’s journey compared with Max Verstappen’s

As has been known for several days, Red Bull has strengthened its ranks by bringing the son of former McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen into its junior programme at just 11 years old, with young Robin already making a name for himself in karting.

Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, the former F1 driver highlighted Robin Raikkonen's strong progress in karting and the commitment shown by his family, who have moved from Switzerland to Italy to allow him to train close to the karting circuit.

Coulthard compared this approach to the way Jos Verstappen supported Max during his early career, while also pointing out that success in karting does not necessarily translate directly to success in single-seaters due to the significant differences between the two types of machinery.

He also praised Robin's current performances in karting and the way he has been brought up, noting that the young driver appears grounded despite already enjoying success. The former F1 driver believes his family environment will help keep him grounded, although he stressed that Robin is still only a child and that his character and approach could change as he grows older, particularly during adolescence.

"The kid is winning in karting. He seems like a really nice kid, because some kids you can already see there's a bit of arrogance there. I see all sorts of my journey around the world, and his parents are grounded. So, he's going to be grounded. Let's see how he is when he becomes a young man. He's a boy right now. When he goes through puberty, that's when things change."

Finally, Coulthard stressed that the real test will come as Robin grows older, when it becomes clear whether he can maintain the focus, determination and talent needed to cope with the setbacks that are an inevitable part of motorsport. He noted that even the most successful drivers experience far more defeats than victories, with Lewis Hamilton serving as a clear example after competing in hundreds of Grands Prix throughout his career.