2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who currently drives for Alfa Romeo, will retire from the sport at the end of the season.
In a message posted on Instagram, Raikkonen wrote “This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1.
“This is a decision I [took] last winter. It was not an easy decision, but after this season it is time for new things.
“Even though the season is still on, I want to thank my family, all my teams, everyone involved in my racing career, and especially all of you great fans that have been rooting for me all this time.
“Formula 1 might come to an end for me but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy.”
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Alfa Romeo, added that “There isn’t any driver out there like Kimi Raikkonen.
“It was a pleasure to work with him in these years and I believe I speak on behalf of everyone at Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN when I say a driver like Kimi has written some indelible pages of our team’s, and our sport’s, history.”
Raikkonen started his career with Alfa Romeo, back when they were known as Sauber, in 2001.
He moved to McLaren a year later, spending five years with the team and claiming 9 Grand Prix wins, including his first in the sport at Malaysia in 2003.
After McLaren came three years at Ferrari, the first of which in 2007 brought his world championship title. Taking six wins – including the final race in Brazil – and twelve podiums in 17 races, Raikkonen beat the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by just one point.
The Finn’s victory is still the Scuderia’s last driver’s title.
Raikkonen then left Formula One for two years to compete in the World Rally Championship, before returning to the sport with Lotus in 2012.
He re-joined Ferrari for a further five seasons in 2014, taking his most recent and only victory during his second spell with the team at the 2018 USA Grand Prix.
He then signed for Alfa Romeo in 2019, the team where he will finish his career after enduring a difficult final season in a slow car.
Analysis
A fan favourite, the Finn has provided countless memories both on and off track.
Known for his blunt style, he previously described driving in F1 as just “a hobby,” saying he “didn’t need to do it if he didn’t want [to].” His team radios throughout his career have been great fun to listen to, and who can forget Monaco 2006 when he went straight to his yacht after a mechanical issue with his McLaren forced him to retire.
On track is where he will be remembered best, though, taking 21 wins and 103 podiums across a record 341 races. These victories included some superb drives, none more so than in Suzuka 2005. Voted by fans as the best Japanese Grand Prix ever in 2015, Raikkonen overtook the Renault of Giancarlo Fisichella for the win round the outside of turn 1 on the final lap after starting 17th.
Then came the 2007 world championship, the Finn’s crowning achievement.
Such memories mean he will be missed by F1 fans around the world.
His departure also opens a seat on next year’s grid. Yet to sign Raikkonen’s teammate Antonio Giovinazzi, several drivers have been linked with the team, including current Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hulkenberg, and reserve driver Callum Ilott.
View this post on Instagram
In the history of @F1 you left a mark that few others have. I’ll always be grateful for having had the privilege of being your teammate. Thank you, Maestro 🙏#Kimi7 #Raikkonen pic.twitter.com/xzf671WENQ
— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) September 1, 2021
Featured image by emperornie – Kimi Raikkonen, CC BY-SA 2.0; no changes made.
