Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard believes Kimi Raikkonen is taking a similar approach to Jos Verstappen in developing his son, Robin, after the 11-year-old joined the Red Bull Junior Team. Red Bull confirmed earlier this month that Robin Raikkonen had joined its driver development programme, with his work with the team set to begin in 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Robin Raikkonen joined the Red Bull Junior Team, with his programme set to begin in 2027.
- David Coulthard compared Kimi Raikkonen's approach to Jos Verstappen's development of Max.
- Robin is already enjoying success in karting, with his family taking a highly hands-on approach.
- Coulthard believes the biggest tests will come later, particularly when Robin moves into cars and reaches his teenage years.
Raikkonen Taking a Hands-On Approach
The youngster has already been making waves in karting, with his family taking a hands-on approach to his development. Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Coulthard said Raikkonen is creating an environment similar to the one Jos Verstappen established for Max during his early years.
"He's doing brilliantly in karting. The family have committed. They've moved from Switzerland to Italy to live by the kart track. He'll be driving every day," Coulthard said.
The former McLaren driver compared the setup to Jos Verstappen's involvement in Max's development, describing it as an ideal environment for an experienced young driver. However, Coulthard stressed that success in karting does not automatically translate to success in single-seaters.
"He is doing what Jos Verstappen did with Max. They are developing, let's say, the perfect scenario for the most experienced young driver," he added.
Karting Success Does Not Guarantee F1 Success
Coulthard pointed out that cars require a very different driving technique from karts. "In a car, you have suspension, you have a differential, you have downforce," he explained, while noting that karts use a solid chassis, no suspension and a solid rear axle.
That difference means Robin will eventually face a new challenge when he progresses into cars, regardless of how successful he becomes in karting. Coulthard also acknowledged that some of the strongest young karting talents never make it to Formula 1, highlighting the difficulty of progressing through the junior categories.
Coulthard Sees Positive Signs in Robin
The former F1 driver also praised Robin's current attitude, pointing to his results and the way his family has approached his development.
"Look, 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," Coulthard said.
He added that Robin's parents appear grounded, something he believes could help the youngster as his career develops. However, Coulthard cautioned that Robin is still only 11 and that the biggest tests may come later.
"He's a boy right now. When he goes through puberty, that's when things change," he said.
The Real Test Comes With Age
Coulthard explained that young drivers can change significantly during their teenage years, making focus, determination and the ability to deal with failure increasingly important. He also highlighted the demanding nature of motorsport, where setbacks are unavoidable even for the most successful drivers.
Lewis Hamilton's career was used as an example. Despite being Formula 1's record race winner, Hamilton has also experienced hundreds of races without victory during his career.
For Robin, the next stage will therefore be about more than simply winning races. His ability to adapt from karting to cars, handle setbacks and maintain his focus will ultimately shape how far he can progress.
