Kimi Raikkonen's Son Robin Joins Red Bull Junior Programme

Robin Raikkonen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 F1 world champion Kimi, will join Red Bull's junior driver programme from 2027. The team confirmed the move, which had been rumoured over the Monza weekend.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's junior programme has produced champions like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Adding Robin continues that tradition, but also carries unique weight given his father's legacy. Kimi never raced for Red Bull, but his career has been intertwined with the brand: he made his F1 debut with the Red Bull-sponsored Sauber team in 2001, and later drove a Red Bull-liveried Citroen in the WRC. Now his son will fly the Red Bull colours.

The details:

• Robin, born just before Kimi's second season back with Ferrari in 2015, has already won at national and international level in karting.
• Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised his "speed, racecraft and natural talent" and said the goal is to develop him "step-by-step, without placing any unnecessary pressure on his shoulders."
• Kimi said Robin joins with "great humility" and will "dedicate all his efforts to warrant the trust" Red Bull is placing in him.
• The programme will be led by Gwen Lagrue, who previously developed Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes and is effectively replacing Helmut Marko.

What's next:

Robin will join the Red Bull junior team in 2027, with a long road ahead before single-seaters. The team plans to give him time, support and resources to maximise his potential, with the ultimate goal of following in his father's footsteps.