Kimi Raikkonen once ‘shaved his head’ in protest because he wasn’t getting paid

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Kimi Raikkonen once ‘shaved his head’ in protest because he wasn’t getting paid, it has been claimed. 

Raikkonen built up a reputation of being one of the best characters and drivers in Formula 1’s rich history.

The Finn, 46, won the world championship in 2007 when he was driving for Ferrari, beating Lewis Hamilton, who was a McLaren rookie at the time, by just one point.

Aside from Ferrari, Raikkonen also drove for Sauber, McLaren, Lotus and Alfa Romeo before calling time on his career back in 2021.

It was during Raikkonen’s time as a Lotus driver that the story of him shaving his head in protest emerged.

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Otmar Szafnauer claims Kimi Raikkonen once ‘shaved his head’ in protest

Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, former Aston Martin and Alpine team boss Otmar Szafnauer shared a story he had heard about Raikkonen.

Previously, Szafnauer claimed that he nearly signed Raikkonen while he was team boss at Force India. 

The 61-year-old went on to share the story about Raikkonen shaving his head ahead of a team sponsor event.

Szafnauer said: “I heard a story, was it Rexona on the Lotus. Towards the end, they were struggling financially, and Kimi wasn’t getting paid.

“And he had to go do an event for Rexona, and I think Rexona was like a shampoo product. So Kimi had to go to some shampoo event for Rexona.

“He was so irritated that they didn’t pay him. He shaved his head before he went to that shampoo event.

“That’s what I heard, but I wouldn’t put it past Kimi. That’s Kimi.”

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READ MORE: Kimi Raikkonen disappointed that he’s still Ferrari’s most recent champion after 19 years

Reacting to the story, former Ferrari and Williams race engineer Rob Smedley added: “He would have done that. He definitely would have done it.” 

Nicknamed ‘The Iceman’, Raikkonen came across as very laid back and almost lackadaisical. 

However, Smedley revealed that Raikkonen is one of the hardest-working drivers of his generation.

He said: “There is this persona of laid back and lackadaisical, you know, he likes a drink. Yeah, he did like a drink, but he worked very, very hard, got the results and then went for a drink.

“That, for me, is perfect. Don’t do too much because you’re not going to be ready for the next race. But everyone has a release valve, and his was to go out with the people he liked.

“I can say, and he will probably kill me for saying this, I’ve had some nights out and spent the next day in bed. Kimi would be up on the treadmill at six o’clock.”