The Räikkönen name is taking another step towards Formula 1, with Red Bull signing Robin Räikkönen, the son of 2007 world champion Kimi Räikkönen, to its Junior Team from 2027. The young Finnish karter will join the Milton Keynes squad’s driver development programme as Red Bull begins guiding his progress through the junior categories.
Robin Räikkönen, who is currently competing in karting, will become part of a system that has helped numerous young talents progress towards Formula 1 over the years. Roughly a third of the current grid has either been part of, or had links to, Red Bull’s driver structure at some stage, including multiple world champions.
Robin Räikkönen joins Red Bull Junior Team from 2027
Born in 2015, Robin Räikkönen started racing when he was still very young, quickly following in the footsteps of his father. He currently competes in Rotax and WSK karting championships at both national and international level, frequently racing in Italy as he continues to develop his skills.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies believes the young Finn has already demonstrated qualities that make him stand out among drivers of the same age.
“Robin has already demonstrated exceptional ability in karting. His speed and natural talent have already established him as one of the most promising young drivers in his age group. At the same time, he impresses with his maturity, his calm approach and his focus on the work on track,” Laurent Mekies explained.
“Our goal is to develop him step by step, without placing any unnecessary pressure on his shoulders. The path through motorsport is a long one, and we will give him the time, support and resources he needs to maximise his potential.”
Laurent Mekies added: “We strongly believe that talent can flourish when it is supported by the right people, the right culture and the right environment. That is what we are committed to providing Robin as he continues his development. We are looking forward to taking the next steps on this journey together with him and his family.”
Kimi Räikkönen welcomes Red Bull opportunity for his son
Kimi Räikkönen has closely followed his son’s development throughout the opening stages of his career, accompanying Robin Räikkönen to numerous karting circuits, many of them in Italy. The agreement with Red Bull now represents the next major step.
“We are all thrilled and excited that Robin has been chosen to continue his path in motorsport as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team,” Kimi Räikkönen explained.
“Laurent and everyone at Red Bull have been incredibly supportive throughout our discussions. They offer a compelling and comprehensive programme to develop and nurture Robin over the coming years, providing him with all the experience he needs to cultivate his natural talent, which he has already demonstrated extensively throughout his karting activities.”
Kimi Räikkönen also highlighted the history of Red Bull’s development programme and some of the drivers who have emerged from it.
“Red Bull’s Junior Team has achieved incredible success over the years. Its former members include Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, among many others. It is therefore with great humility that Robin joins this prestigious programme, and he will dedicate all his efforts to earning the trust that Red Bull is placing in him,” Kimi Räikkönen added.
Kimi Räikkönen already has an unusual Red Bull connection
There is also an interesting historical link between Kimi Räikkönen and Red Bull, even though the Finnish champion never raced for the company’s own Formula 1 team.
When Kimi Räikkönen made his Formula 1 debut with Sauber in 2001, the Swiss squad competed under the name Red Bull Sauber Petronas. The energy drinks company was the team’s main sponsor at the time and had backed Enrique Bernoldi, but Sauber ultimately chose the inexperienced Kimi Räikkönen for its race seat instead.
That decision proved decisive for Kimi Räikkönen’s career. He went on to establish himself as one of the leading drivers of his generation and eventually became world champion with Ferrari in 2007. More than 25 years after his Formula 1 debut, the Red Bull name is now linked directly to the next generation of the Räikkönen family.
Red Bull reshapes junior programme after Helmut Marko departure
Robin Räikkönen’s arrival comes as Red Bull reorganises its young-driver operation following Helmut Marko’s departure at the end of 2025.
The Milton Keynes team has also recruited Gwen Lagrue from Mercedes to lead its junior programme from 2027. During his time at the Brackley organisation, Gwen Lagrue played an important role in developing drivers including George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who has since risen to the top of the Formula 1 championship standings.
Robin Räikkönen remains at the very beginning of a potentially long motorsport journey, and Red Bull has made clear that its priority will be gradual development rather than placing unnecessary expectations on an 11-year-old driver. Nevertheless, joining one of Formula 1’s most successful junior programmes represents a significant first step as another famous Räikkönen name begins its own path through motorsport.
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