David Coulthard elaborates on the parallels between Robin Raikkonen's ascent and that of Max Verstappen.

"He's excelling in karting. The family is all in. They've relocated from Switzerland to Italy to be closer to the kart track. He'll be practicing daily," the former McLaren driver remarked.

"He is replicating what Jos Verstappen did with Max. They are creating, let’s say, the optimal environment for the most skilled young driver. One thing I will mention, though, is that some of the top karters never transition successfully to cars because it's a distinct vehicle dynamic. It's a rigid chassis. There’s no suspension. It has a solid rear axle. When you move to a car, you have suspension, a differential, and downforce to contend with."

When asked if he notices similar qualities in Robin to those he had as a young driver, Coulthard responded: "Well, the kid is succeeding in karting. He appears to be a really pleasant kid, as some young competitors already show a hint of arrogance."

Robin Raikkonen

"I observe various aspects of my own journey reflected in his. His parents seem down-to-earth. So, he’s likely to remain grounded. We’ll see how he evolves as he matures. He’s a boy now, but during puberty, things can shift."

"And that’s why, if we examine the differences between boys and girls, there are many young girls in karting who compete alongside the boys without issue. However, once they reach their teenage years, that’s when the real developments occur because people do change."

"Kids evolve, and that’s when we discover if they maintain their focus, determination, talent, and the willingness to endure the inevitable setbacks. Hopefully not too many, but in motorsport, failures often outnumber successes."

"Lewis [Hamilton] holds the record for the most grand prix victories, but he has participated in around 400 races. He has lost more than 300 of them, winning just over 100. So, there’s a lot of struggle involved."