Kimi Räikkönen is set to retire after the 2021 season

Kimi Räikkönen has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season after a 21-year career. Räikkönen, who debuted with Sauber in 2001, will be properly retiring from the sport with the same team, Alfa Romeo, but in a different appearance.

After making his debut with Sauber in 2001, Räikkönen’s abilities in his first season drew Ron Dennis’ attention, and he signed with McLaren. Räikkönen established himself as one of the best in the world from 2002 to 2006. Räikkönen could have won a few of world titles if it hadn’t been for mechanical troubles at McLaren over several seasons. For the 2007 season, Räikkönen took over from Michael Schumacher at Ferrari. After a season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s McLarens, Räikkönen pipped them both to win his only world championship to date. Räikkönen is Ferrari’s most recent world champion.

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Räikkönen was paid off by Ferrari to make room for Fernando Alonso after two mixed seasons with the team following his title-winning season. The Finn took a two-year break from the sport to pursue his passions in NASCAR and rallying. In 2012, Räikkönen returned to the sport with Lotus and was immediately competitive. Despite the fact that Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull dominated the era, Räikkönen was able to win two races with Lotus. Kimi rejoined Ferrari in 2014 and continued there until 2018. At the 2018 US Grand Prix, Räikkönen became the oldest race winner since Nigel Mansell in 1994, at the age of 39. Räikkönen returned to Sauber in 2019, although the team was now under their new name Alfa Romeo Racing, where he will see out his career.

Räikkönen is one of the sport’s cult personalities, known for his dislike of media activities and monosyllabic responses. Räikkönen is recognized for his cool demeanor in critical situations, giving him the nickname “Iceman.”

With 344 races under his belt, the Finn will depart the sport with one driver’s world championship, 21 victories, and 103 podiums. He will also leave as the sport’s most experienced driver.

In a typical Räikkönen manner, the Finn announced his retirement on social media with a short and simple note to his fans, without much of a hassle. The Finn said, “This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1. This is a decision I did during 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. See you around after all of this.”

Due to Räikkönen’s absence from the grid next season, one of the Alfa Romeo seats will very likely be filled by his compatriot Valtteri Bottas, with George Russell assuming Bottas’ spot at Mercedes. Although no official announcement has been made, the next two weeks will be crucial in determining the driver lineup for 2022 and beyond.

Meanwhile, Räikkönen will compete in his 345th Grand Prix this weekend, as Formula One returns to Zandvoort for the first time in almost three decades!

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