Formula 1 is having a gloomy day. It has been revealed that Kimi ‘The Iceman’ Raikkonen will leave Formula One at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
The 41-year-old Finnish racer announced on Instagram that he will be hanging up his gloves and helmet after an incredible 20 years of F1 competition.
“This concludes it. This will be my final Formula 1 season. I made this choice during the course of last winter. Though it was not an easy choice, fresh things are needed following this season. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my racing career, including my family, all of my teams, and even the remaining races in the season. I also want to thank all of you amazing supporters.me the entire time. My time in Formula 1 may be coming to an end, but I still have a lot more life to explore and enjoy. When all of this is over, see you around! Regards, Kimi.
F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was with Ferrari when Raikkonen won the 2007 world championship, stated that Kimi will be missed when he leaves the sport after Raikkonen announced his retirement.
“Kimi is a real champion, a personal friend, and an amazing contributor to our sport. I had the honor of working with him at Ferrari, so I am aware of his wonderful character. We all want the best for him and his family in the future and will miss him and his own flair, Domenicali remarked.
After 2021, the Iceman leaves, and a spot at Alfa Romeo becomes available for the 2022 campaign. Who will be Antonio Giovinazzi’s new teammate is still unknown. Rumor has it that Valterri Bottas, a driver for Mercedes currently, may replace him at Alfa Romeo. Bottas is expected to be replaced at Mercedes by George Russell, a current Williams driver, in the upcoming season.
When Raikkonen joined Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) in 2001, he made his racing debut. He was a rookie in Formula 1, but he made an impression right away, scoring points and establishing himself as one of the best at the time. After a year, Raikkonen took Mika Hakkinen’s seat at McLaren. In 2003, he won his first race ever and went on to finish second overall in the championship.
He joined Ferrari in 2007 and won his first world title there, defeating Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton by a single point in the thrilling Brazilian Grand Prix. After that, in 2010 and 2011, Raikkonen took a two-year hiatus from Formula 1 to experiment with various motorsports, including rallying and even NASCAR. He feels the hiatus gave him the motivation to return to Formula One.
Kimi made a comeback to Formula One with Lotus in 2012, but she had back surgery before the 2013 season. After that, he moved on with Ferrari once more, where he remained for five years before joining Alfa Romeo again in 2019.
In 344 Grand Prix weekends, the Finn has achieved 18 pole positions, 103 podiums, and 21 victories. Additionally, he is still Ferrari’s previous world champion. Even while he might not have had the most victories or podium finishes, Kimi will always be renowned for his direct answers, sardonic demeanor, and carefree demeanor both on and off the track.
What will Raikkonen do, though, if he permanently quits Formula 1? The Iceman did state that following the conclusion of the 2021 season, he wants to explore new things. Does this imply that he’ll participate in a different motorsport? Or will he take a completely different action?
In any event, we won’t be able to see Kimi on the grid come next year.
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