Raikkonen wouldn't have believed he'd still race into his 40s at start of career

Kimi Raikkonen has said that he would never have believed that he would still be racing into his 40's when he began his career. The 40-year-old made his debut in 2001 and has since gone on to make 311 starts in F1.

“I don’t think I would have believed someone if they’d told me back then I would still be racing in F1 at the age of 40,” Raikkonen told Yahoo Sport.

“Obviously, at that time, it was all about simply trying to drive well and stay in F1. Nothing was guaranteed.”

“Yes, I had a contract in 2001 for three years – two plus one – but it was such early days that the aim was to try to do well and see what happens, but even when I was 27 or 28 I wouldn’t have put any money on it.”

The Finn currently races for Alfa Romeo and has collected 43 points so far this season which sees him placed twelfth in the drivers' standings.