Red Bull has signed Robin Räikkönen, the 11-year-old son of 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, to its Junior Team. The statement follows claims last weekend that the Räikkönen family visited the Red Bull motorhome during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where Robin was pictured sitting in Max Verstappen's vehicle.
Robin was born on January 27, 2015. He's raced karts since 2022, starting in the Rotax Max Challenge in Switzerland before moving into broader European competition, and competed in the WSK Super Master Series last year. He currently sits second in the Rotax Max Challenge Italia standings.
He becomes the tenth driver in Red Bull's junior program, which is presently led by Formula 2 points leader Nikola Tsolov, who is a top contender for a Racing Bulls seat in 2027.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies stated that Robin has already demonstrated outstanding karting skills and highlighted his maturity and racecraft, adding that the team intends to develop him gradually rather than pushing him too hard.
Kimi Räikkönen — one of the most beloved and enduring figures in F1 history, with 21 grand prix wins and 103 podium finishes across a 19-year career — expressed pride in the milestone, thanking Red Bull for what he described as a ‘compelling and comprehensive programme’ for his son's development.
One detail worth noting: Robin's godfather, Gino Rosato, a longtime family friend, joined Red Bull as a consultant earlier this year — a connection that reportedly played a role in getting the deal done.
Don't expect to see Robin behind the wheel of an F1 car anytime soon. At just 11 years old, he remains firmly in the karting stage of his development, with single-seater competition still several years away. Red Bull has signalled it intends to take a patient, long-term approach with him — much like it has with other junior prospects before eventually fast-tracking the ones who show they're ready.
For more updates, join/follow our WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube channels.