Formula 1: Kimi Raikkonen would’ve broken an all-time record today

If not for the coronavirus pandemic, Kimi Raikkonen would have broken an all-time Formula 1 record in today’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.

It’s Sunday, July 5, and the 2020 Formula 1 season is finally underway following the first of two — yes, two — races at the Red Bull Ring.

Today’s 71-lap Austrian Grand Prix around the 10-turn, 2.683-mile (4.318-kilometer) Red Bull Ring road course in Spielberg, Styria, Austria was initially slated to be the 11th of a record-breaking 22 races on this year’s schedule.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was the season opener, and there is scheduled to be another race at the track next Sunday, July 12 to make up for other canceled events.

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The season was initially scheduled to get underway more than three and a half months ago on Sunday, March 15 at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit with the Australian Grand Prix. That race and each of the next nine races on the schedule were either postponed or canceled.

Without the threat of COVID-19, however, today’s race would have been a historic race for another reason: it would have seen the breaking of an all-time Formula 1 record.

Alfa Romeo Racing’s Kimi Raikkonen entered the 2020 season having competed in 312 races, a mark that ranks second only to the record mark of Rubens Barrichello, who competed in 322 races throughout his career in the sport from 1993 to 2011. Raikkonen has competed in Formula 1 since 2001, although he skipped the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

With today’s race initially having been slated to be the 11th race on the calendar, it would have marked the 40-year-old Finn’s record-breaking 323rd Formula 1 start, with all other things remaining constant.

Fortunately for Raikkonen, he will still likely break this record this season. The schedule only consists of eight races right now, but that schedule only extends through the first weekend in September and is expected to be lengthened in the near future. He is in a contract year with Alfa Romeo Racing after signing a two-year deal ahead of last season.

Also fortunately for Raikkonen, he never really cared much about this record to begin with, so he likely isn’t too disappointed that he did not break the historic mark this afternoon in a race that saw him retire late when his front right tire flew off. He officially finished in 14th place.

Here is what he had to say last season when discussing the prospect of becoming Formula 1’s all-time most experienced driver, according to Motorsport Total.

"“I’ve never hunted any numbers. I do not care if it’s 20 or 20,000, it does not matter. And if I no longer feel that, then I stop.”"

He reiterated this sentiment when asked about how excited he is (isn’t) to reach his 323rd start back in January. Here is what he said, according to Formula 1.

"“On that, not [excited]. It gives me nothing.”"

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It is still unknown what the 11th race on the new 2020 Formula 1 schedule will end up being and when it will end up taking place.

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