Kimi Räikkönen Appointed Chief Performance Adviser for Zeekr, Spearheads the Zeekr 001 FR Development
by AutoExpert | 27 October, 2023
It's a tradition for automakers to collaborate with race car drivers to enhance their models, yet Zeekr has taken a stride further by entrusting Kimi Räikkönen with a more integral role.
The Formula 1 Champion, endearingly known as “The Ice Man,” has been anointed as the Chief Performance Adviser at Zeekr.
As per a post on Zeekr’s official account on X, Räikkönen's inaugural mission is to engineer a “faster and more powerful” Zeekr 001 FR. The Finn will lend his seasoned expertise from motorsports events to refine the chassis and powertrain of this electric vehicle (EV). Beyond merely posing beside the EV, Räikkönen went the extra mile to announce his new role in a 24-second video, retaining his signature composed demeanor.
Unveiled in September, the Zeekr 001 emerged as a strong contender to the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire. The high-performance flagship of the 001 lineup boasts quad electric motors, unleashing a whopping 1248 HP, bolstered by sophisticated torque vectoring capabilities. This powerhouse, enveloped in an aggressive carbon fiber body kit, AP Racing brakes, and KW suspension, promises a 0-62 mph acceleration in 2.07 seconds, provided the test initiates with a rolling start.
Reflecting on Kimi Räikkönen's illustrious career, he steered F1 single-seaters from 2001 to 2021, with a hiatus between 2010-2011. His pinnacle achievement was clinching the 2007 Championship with Ferrari, although he came close to more titles with two runner-up and three third-place finishes in the overall driver’s standings. Räikkönen's passion for motorsports also saw him venture into WRC and NASCAR.
Despite his known reserve and low enthusiasm for public relations events, as documented on his Wikipedia page, Räikkönen is set to grace the official launch of the Zeekr 001 FR in Beijing, China, on October 27. Moreover, Zeekr plans to introduce the 001 FR to the European market, extending its high-performance electric innovation beyond Chinese shores.
