Formula 1 - Kimi Raikkonen has first Sauber F1 run for 17 years

ByAutoSport

Updated 27/11/2018 at 09:20 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen has returned to the wheel of a Sauber Formula 1 car for the first time in 17 years.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - Formula One Grand Prix Austin 2018 - Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

The Finn will race for the Swiss team in 2019 after ending his second spell with Ferrari this season.

Raikkonen, reunited with the team he made his F1 debut with in 2001, is getting his first experience of Sauber's current set-up in this week's Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi.

He is driving Sauber's C37 on Tuesday and completed a first installation lap as soon as the test started at 9am local time.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton describes shock Ferrari move as 'hardest decision I've ever had to make'

23/02/2024 at 15:35

Raikkonen, who is not wearing Sauber team gear, has since returned to the track and completed 10 laps by the end of the first hour.

He has an unbranded race suit and a black-and-white, simplified crash helmet design like he used at Lotus in 2012.

The 2007 world champion is not the only driver getting experience of his 2019 team early.

Formula 2 champion George Russell has appeared with Williams for the first time ahead of his graduation with the team next year.

Russell's F2 rival Lando Norris is at the wheel of the McLaren again.

Sauber's Formula One team principal Peter Sauber (C) poses with his drivers Nick Heidfeld (L) of Germany and Kimi Raikkonen (R) of Finland in the team's new PC-12 plane in Stans April 10, 2001. The Sauber team will already use the single-engined aircraft

Image credit: Reuters

Pietro Fittipaldi has made his F1 testing debut with Haas. The grandson of two-time world champion Emerson has landed a development role with the American team for 2019.

Also driving in the test on Tuesday are Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Sergio Perez (Force India), Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) and Sean Gelael (Toro Rosso).

Other drivers set to appear on Wednesday include Pierre Gasly (Red Bull), Antonio Giovinazzi (Sauber) and Carlos Sainz Jr (McLaren).

New Toro Rosso 2019 recruit Alexander Albon is not scheduled to drive at all.

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

Formula 1

'It is very surreal' - Hamilton reflects on Mercedes career ahead of Ferrari switch

00:00:54

14/02/2024 at 17:31

Season 2024

'Emotional' Hamilton determined for success ahead of Ferrari move as Mercedes launch new car

14/02/2024 at 17:32

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me