Fans of Formula one are in shock as Finnish Formula one legend Kimi Räikkönen announces his exit from motor sports at the end of the season after a blistering career.
He took to his Instagram page to break the news. He wrote “This is here. This is my last season formula in number one. I made a decision on this already last winter. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after this season, it’s time for new things. The season is still going on, but I want to thank my family, all my stables, everyone who has been involved in my racing career and especially all the great fans who have encouraged me all the 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”
Recall that Räikkönen entered Formula One as a regular driver for Sauber-Petronas in 2001, having competed in only 23 car races previously. He joined McLaren-Mercedes in 2002, and became a title contender by finishing runner-up in the championship to Michael Schumacher in 2003, and Fernando Alonso in 2005. Räikkönen’s seasons at McLaren were plagued by severe unreliability from his cars, prompting a move to Ferrari in 2007. This change saw him crowned Formula One World Drivers’ Champion that season, pipping both McLaren drivers – Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso – to the title by one point. In 2008 he equalled the record for the greatest number of fastest laps in a season for the second time.
He won the Maranello World Championships in the Reds in 2007, but withdrew from the series just two years later.
Räikkönen nicknamed “The Iceman” placed Finland on global map. His exit will surely create a vacuum.
Räikkönen, 41, who hails from Espoo has two children with his wife Minttu Räikkönen
