AUGUST 27, 2026

Räikkönen family weighs academy options for Robin

Kimi Räikkönen's 11-year-old son Robin could join a Formula 1 driver-development programme before the end of the year.

A famous surname can open doors in motor racing. The more important question is what happens after someone walks through them.

Robin Räikkönen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen, could join a Formula 1 driver-development programme before the end of this year.

Gino Rosato, Robin's godfather and a close friend of the family, says several options are being evaluated. Rosato spent almost three decades at Ferrari and now works as a Red Bull consultant, which gives the speculation an obvious choice of possible destinations, although he declined to identify any team.

He hinted that an announcement may come before the end of 2026 but stressed that the decision must be based on the environment offered to Robin rather than the commercial attraction of the Räikkönen name.

Robin has already shown promise in karting. Rosato describes him as quiet and fast, with a fascination for racing that was not imposed by his father.

Kimi and Minttu Räikkönen are said to be taking a deliberately measured approach. Rosato does not expect Kimi to become the sort of parent who announces that his child is destined to be the next great champion. If Robin loses interest or stops progressing, the programme will not be forced.

If he continues, the route would be the familiar one through an academy and eventually Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2. At 11, however, there is a great deal of karting still to be done before any of those categories becomes relevant.

The name will ensure that Robin is watched more closely than most children his age. Sensible management now means ensuring that the attention does not become more important than the driving.