Dhe iceman has had enough: Kimi Raikkonen will end his Formula 1 career at the age of 42 after this season. The motorsport premier class lost a driver who was the last driver to become world champion in a Ferrari in 2007, but who, in addition to his undisputed driving skills, also became a cult figure in the paddock because of his unique manner. Respected by all colleagues, loved by fans all over the world. “That was it,” wrote Raikkonen on Wednesday evening on Instagram.
His announcement is likely to give the driver market a boost. Valtteri Bottas is being traded as his successor by Mercedes, who will have to vacate his cockpit for Williams driver George Russell.
Raikkonen, who never liked to talk much about Formula 1, did not stop at a few words this time. The decision was made last winter, he said. It wasn’t easy. “Formula 1 may be over for me, but there is a lot more that I want to experience and enjoy.”
Last world champion in a Ferrari
Formula 1 reacted quickly and wrote what many fans around the world should feel: “We will miss you, Kimi. Thank you for all the incredible moments. “
Kimi Raikkonen saw quite a few of them. In 2001, the Finn, who was born in Espoo, joined Sauber in Formula 1. He became world champion in 2007 – with Ferrari. After this season he will have completed over 350 races – more than anyone before him. He has celebrated 21 Grand Prix victories so far and also drove for McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus.
After the 2009 season and his well-paid early retirement, he left Ferrari and competed in rallies, among other things, before returning to Formula 1 two years later. Since 2019 he has been driving for Alfa Romeo, the former Sauber team where his Grand Prix career began.
Aside from the sporting vita, there are also the anecdotes of the fall of a yacht in a not sober state in the early years, the sayings like once in the pits with a victory (“Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”) or one Kimi Raikkonen, who trudges through the scorching desert of Sakhir in a fire-proof racing suit with a helmet on his head.
At the end of Raikkonen’s career, at least one job at Alfa Romeo will be available. The whereabouts of the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi is also questionable. There is much speculation at Alfa with Raikkonen’s compatriot Bottas. Then at Mercedes the place at the side of the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton would be free for Russell.
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