Sports · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Red Bull Signs Robin Räikkönen, Kimi’s Son, to Driver Development Programme From 2027
Robin Räikkönen, 11, joins Red Bull's driver development programme starting in 2027. He is the son of 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.
How Robin’s career context is described (F1 legacy emphasis vs programme-only).
2 of 3 outlets skipped it: speculation was fuelled by Robin being seen at Monza in Red Bull hospitality.
18outlets compared
Same story, two versions
tap a side to read it in full
The News International
“the 46-year-old Kimi said: “We are all thrilled and excited that Robin has been chosen to further his racing path as a member of the Red Bull junior team.”Read the original ↗
Formula 1
“Identified as "one of the most promising young talents of his generation", the young Raikkonen has already demonstrated his skill in various karting championships”Read the original ↗
One outlet foregrounds Kimi’s legacy and direct quote; another foregrounds talent framing and programme ladder context.
Robin joins Red Bull
Red Bull has signed Robin Räikkönen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen, to its driver development programme starting in 2027.
“The son of the 2007 Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will join Red Bull's driver development programme next year.”
The announcement came as Robin, who has raced successfully in Rotax and WSK karting series, was set to join Red Bull’s young driver programme from 2027 onwards.
Kimi Räikkönen, who retired from F1 at the end of the 2021 season, said: “We are all thrilled and excited that Robin has been chosen to further his racing path as a member of the Red Bull junior team.”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies described Robin as someone who “has already demonstrated exceptional ability in karting,” adding that his speed, racecraft and natural talent have made him “one of the most promising young drivers in his age group.”
Mekies and Kimi on plan
Mekies said Red Bull’s goal is to develop Robin “step by step, without placing any unnecessary pressure on his shoulders,” while also saying the team will give him “the time, support and resources he needs to maximise his potential.”
In Kimi Räikkönen’s remarks, he credited Red Bull’s support during discussions and said the programme would provide “all the experience required to develop his natural talent.”
RaceFans reported that Red Bull’s team principal Laurent Mekies called Robin “one of the most promising young drivers in his age group,” citing his “maturity, his calm approach and his clear focus on driving.”
The Race added that Kimi said Robin would “dedicate all his efforts to warrant the trust that Red Bull is placing in him,” as the junior programme is set to be led by Gwen Lagrue when Robin joins next year.
What it means next
With Robin set to officially start working with Red Bull from 2027, multiple outlets framed the move as a continuation of Red Bull’s junior pathway, which has included alumni such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
“Finnish driver Robin Räikkönen, 11-year-old son of former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, has signed this Wednesday with the Oracle Red Bull Racing junior team”
The Guardian’s sports coverage in the provided material did not appear, but Crash.net noted that Red Bull’s Junior Team has had “years of incredible success” and listed Vettel and Max Verstappen among its alumni.
Infobae said the Oracle Red Bull Racing junior team has trained other champions such as Dutchman Max Verstappen or German Sebastian Vettel, and it quoted the team statement that Robin will join the driver development programme starting in 2027.
Le Soir reported that Red Bull Racing welcomed Robin Räikkönen to its development programme, describing him as “Aged 11” and reiterating that he is the son of Kimi Räikkönen (2007) and that he has recorded successes in national and international Rotax and WSK championships.