With all the controversy and polarisation surrounding the F1 championship battle, we would almost forget that next raceweekend will end the long career of our iceman Kimi Raikkonen.
Still one of my favourite drivers of all time!
I remember the time he got into F1 straight from Formula Renault (not even F3!). Nobody thought he was up to it except for his management & Peter Sauber. But he impressed the world of F1 immediately with impressive drives, speed & great racecraft.
One year later, he was already in the McLaren-Mercedes as successor to fellow countryman & F1 legend Mika Hakkinen.
To me, that is still his best era in F1. He was very fast, challenging for the title on several occasions, only for the poor reliablity of McLaren to prevent him from becoming WDC.
Everyone will remember his greatest drive in Suzuka 2005: https://www.youtube....h?v=zf4axwL-jPU
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His transfer to and first period with Ferrari to be the successor of legendary Michael Schumacher was very succesful with many race wins and the title in 2007
Unfortunately the relation with some team members at Ferrari went sour after a strange 2009 season, where after he was put aside & paid for a sabbatical year in favour of Fernando Alonso for 2010.
Kimi had enough of F1 and explored some other motorsports together with Red Bull, like the Rally championship.
A lot of fun, but also a lot of crashes 
He also did some NASCAR racing in the USA.
After his break from F1, the passion & love for the pinnacle of racing came back and he joined the Lotus F1 team (former Renault) for the 2012-2013 seasons.
Kimi was very succesful on his comeback with a lot of podiums, 2 race wins & many championship points finishing 3rd & 5th in the tables respectively.
Unforunately, the relation with the management went in the wrong direction in the final part of the 2013 season as he was not paid correctly by the team for his duties. Apparently he scored too many points and Lotus had to pay him more than they could! 
He was rapidly picked up again by Ferrari for a second stint at the team from 2014 till 2018, first as partner to Alonso, then to Vettel.
No title this time with Ferrari, and only one win in 5 seasons, but a lot of comeradry & a bond for life with Sebastian Vettel.
The fall of his career brought 3 seasons with Sauber Alfa Romeo, the team where everything started for him in F1.
Outside the podium & spotlight, but still some inspiring drives & a mentor to teammate Giovinazzi.
Who has forgotten his 2020 race start in Portugal? No other evidence of his masterful racecraft necessary!
https://www.youtube....hannel=FORMULA1
One more race to go this weekend, and a true character and one of the last no-nonsense clean racers will leave our beloved battlefield.
Thank you Kimi for all the joy you brought to me during the years, thanks for all the splendid blistering drives and the awkward interview moments. A truly unique man & driver!
Let's hope we see him in the paddock from time to time and in other racing categories. There are rumors he will be part of the Ferrari long distance racing team in the future.
But finally there will be more time for the wife & kids. After all, F1 was just his hobby...
Edited by sniper80, 07 December 2021 - 20:01.
