Overview
- Red Bull confirmed on Wednesday that Robin Raikkonen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, will join the Red Bull Junior Team beginning in 2027.
- Team principal Laurent Mekies praised Robin’s karting form, saying he has shown “exceptional ability” in Rotax and WSK competition and that the programme will give him time and resources to progress.
- Kimi Raikkonen welcomed the move and said the family is “thrilled and excited” that Red Bull will help nurture Robin’s development over the coming years.
- Reporting says the junior programme’s leadership is being restructured, with Gwen Lagrue expected to lead the academy, a change commentators link to a softer, more measured approach than under Helmut Marko.
- Red Bull’s academy has produced drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, and Robin is expected to follow the usual multi-year ladder from karting into F4 then up through F3 and F2 if his progression continues.