Kimi Räikkönen Would Have “Won More” if He Had “Work Ethic Like Michael [Schumacher]”, Says Ex-Teammate

A former teammate of Kimi Räikkönen has sparked fresh debate across the Formula 1 world after suggesting that the Finn might have achieved even greater success had he matched Michael Schumacher’s famously relentless work ethic.

The comment, made during a recent motorsport interview reflecting on past Ferrari eras, has reignited comparisons between two very different champions who shared the same scarlet garage at different points in their careers.

Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion, is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted drivers of his generation. His raw speed, instinctive car control, and unfiltered racing style made him a fan favorite and a constant threat on track. Yet, according to the former teammate, natural talent alone may have limited how far he could have gone.

“Kimi had incredible ability,” the ex-driver said. “But if he had the same work ethic as Michael, he would have won more.”

The comparison with Schumacher is inevitable. The seven-time world champion was renowned not only for his speed but also for his exhaustive preparation. Schumacher would reportedly spend endless hours in debriefs, fine-tuning setup details, building close relationships with engineers, and pushing the team culture to its limits. His meticulous approach became part of Ferrari’s golden era dominance in the early 2000s

Räikkönen, by contrast, built his reputation on simplicity and instinct. He was never known for marathon technical meetings or elaborate feedback sessions. Instead, he preferred clarity: give him a car, let him drive, and judge the results on the stopwatch.

Those who worked with him often described him as highly intelligent but selective in how he invested his energy. He focused on driving performance rather than politics or prolonged analysis. For some, that approach was refreshing. For others, it represented untapped potential.

It is worth noting that Räikkönen’s career was far from underachieving. Across 19 seasons in Formula 1, he secured 21 Grand Prix victories, 103 podiums, and a world championship with Ferrari in 2007 — a title still cherished by the Scuderia’s global fanbase. He also came close to additional championships, particularly during his McLaren years in 2003 and 2005, where reliability issues cost him crucial points.

The former teammate’s remarks seem less a criticism and more an observation about contrasting philosophies. Schumacher’s career was built on relentless intensity. Räikkönen’s was shaped by balance and personal boundaries. Where Schumacher lived and breathed Formula 1 every waking hour, Kimi was known to keep a clear separation between racing and personal life.

Fans have quickly split in response to the comment. Some agree that with a more obsessive approach, Räikkönen might have converted his near-miss seasons into multiple titles. Others argue that his laid-back style was precisely what made him successful — and that changing it might have altered the very qualities that made him fast.

Motorsport analysts point out that Formula 1 success depends on more than just work ethic. Team dynamics, car competitiveness, timing, and reliability all play decisive roles. Even the most driven champions require the right machinery and circumstances to dominate.

Räikkönen himself has often dismissed “what if” scenarios. Throughout his career, he remained focused on the present rather than hypothetical legacies. In past interviews, he has said simply that he raced because he enjoyed driving — not to chase numbers or rewrite history.

The debate, however, underscores an enduring truth: Kimi Räikkönen remains one of the sport’s great enigmas. A driver of extraordinary talent who did things his own way, he carved out a career that defied conventional expectations.

Whether he might have “won more” under a different approach will remain a matter of speculation. What is certain is that his authenticity, combined with undeniable speed, ensured his place among Formula 1’s most memorable champions — with or without Schumacher’s blueprint