Kimi Raikkonen delivers cheeky jibe at Lewis Hamilton with throwback Instagram post

Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen has made no secret of his longing for the sport’s more daring days off the track to return – and has cheekily hit out at world champion Lewis Hamilton via a hilarious meme.

The side-by-side montage shows a shirtless James Hunt, who won the 1976 championship, smoking and drinking. 

A picture of Hamilton, dressed head to toe in a very questionable matching outfit, has been added in next to him to underline the drastic change between drivers past and present.

Raikkonen (L) is longing for F1’s rock and roll days to return after posting his own throwback

Raikkonen has compared his own rock and roll ways to Hamilton by posting a photo of himself looking worse for wear and accompanying it with the caption, ‘Not all hope is lost yet!’

Six-time champion Hamilton has been snapped aboard a scooter in patterned clothes, complete with bucket hat. He was also wearing pink socks and white trainers while posing.

The photo of Hamilton and Hunt has provided his rival Raikkonen with some perfect material for a sly dig, and the 40-year-old duly delivered by titling the meme ‘Evolution of a Formula 1 driver’.

Raikkonen’s admiration for Hunt has been made clear over the years. The image of himself appearing slightly intoxicated, cigarette in hand, closely mirrors the former British racer’s lavish lifestyle.

Hunt became well known for enjoying the high life away from competing on the circuit.

In 2007, Raikkonen even entered a snowmobile race under the name of his hero.

He also raced at Monaco in 2012 wearing a helmet designed to resemble the one Hunt sported during his memorable 1976 season.  

Hamilton is a prominent supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and regularly wears clothing adorned with an anti-racism message.

Prior to the Austrian Grand Prix Hamilton and several other drivers ‘took a knee’, but Raikkonen was one of the handful of drivers who didn’t.

Woke or bloke? How do F1 champs Hunt and Hamilton measure up side to side? 

James Hunt driver was a notorious hellraiser and lived to the limit of excess, while still managing to be at the top of his game. 

Here we look at how he compared to Lewis Hamilton, a more modern athlete at a similar stage at his career.

 FOOD AND DRINK

Lewis Hamilton lives a clean cut lifestyle of food and drink – James Hunt did not

HAMILTON: Known for his vegan plant based diet and drinks no alcohol. 

HUNT: Once drank an entire plane dry after his famous 1976 win as he and was an enthusiastic drug taker. 

PRE-RACE RITUALS 

Hamilton keeps pre-races simple, while Hunt liked to have a clear-out before racing

HAMILTON: Listens to music before and drive and researches his way away the track. 

HUNT: Would often be sick before a race – sparked by nerves and on occasion the result of a drink and drugs binge. 

WOMEN

Both men have been involved with some of the world’s most beautiful women

HAMILTON: In 2018 he said his love life was ‘non-existent’ because he had no time for it.

HUNT: Famously said he had slept with 5,000 women in his lifetime, including 33 British Airways air stewardesses.  

FASHION

Hamilton has sported some unusual outfits in the past, as did Hunt during his life

HAMILTON: A keen fashionista who has at times sparked mockery from fans over his sartorial choices. 

HUNT: Once refused to sign a clause in his McClaren contract for the 1976 that stipulated he wear a suit and tie to functions.