Kimi Raikkonen is officially retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 F1 season. Kimi has been a stalwart in F1, despite and earlier retirement and return the sport due to his unique personality and nonchalant approach to the sport.
“This is it. This will be my last season in Formula One. This is a decision I did during last winter,” he said on Instagram.
“Formula 1 might come to an end for me but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy.”
Raikkonen began his career in 2001 with Sauber and has amassed 341 Formula 1 grands prix – more than any other driver.
He’s won 21 races and been on the podium over 100 times and he is the 2007 F1 champion when he was with Ferrari.
There will be a whole in F1 due to Kimi’s immense fanbase and presence in the paddock but as a father and husband, I am sure he has many other things he’d like to do in life.
Although not unexpected, it is a serious blow to F1’s fan base around the world. A racer is departing (thanks to DRS and other devices not related to actual racing) in favor of more wizardry, an enhanced rule book, and, above all, 60% of drivers who are boring, lackluster, automatons buying seats.
Meh, he retired years ago.
Only showed a glimmer of interest when he was up for contract negotiations.
He’s been shown up by Giovanazzi for the last two years.