Kimi Raikkonen to retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2021

Kimi Raikkonen has announced his decision to call time on an illustrious Formula 1 career at the end of the season. The Finn’s decision to hang up his helmet and gloves will certainly come as a shock to fans. Raikkonen won the world title in 2007 and will be 42 at the end of the season. The racer made his debut in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix with Sauber, returning to the outfit that became Alfa Romeo. Raikkonen’s deal with the team expires at the end of this season.

“This will be my last season in Formula 1”

Alfa Romeo are yet to confirm their plans for 2021 with both seats open. On the eve of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Raikkonen stated that 2021 would be his swansong.

“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,” he said.

Raikkonen spent five years with McLaren, before moving to Ferrari for three seasons following a debut campaign at Sauber. It was with Ferrari that the racer won his one and only world title, defeating Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at the final race which took place in Brazil in 2007.

Raikkonen returned with Lotus for two seasons, before a second stint at Ferrari that lasted five years following a two-year sabbatical from F1. The racer then joined Alfa Romeo in a journey of three campaigns. Raikkonen has struggled for form this season. He is currently placed 17th in the drivers’ standings, having scored just two points.

The Finn recorded 21 wins, 103 podiums and 18 pole positions during his 344 Grand Prix weekends to date. Raikkonen now has 10 further races to potentially add to that tally. There is a lot of lack of clarity over his replacement at Alfa Romeo with several big names including Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas being mentioned.

“Kimi is an incredible part of our sport, a personal friend and a true champion”

F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali who worked at Ferrari when Raikkonen won his 2007 world championship, said the Finn would be much missed in the sport.

“Kimi is an incredible part of our sport, a personal friend and a true champion. I had the privilege of working with him at Ferrari and know the fantastic person he is. We will all miss him and his unique style and wish him and his family the best for the future,” he stated indicating the respect commanded by the racer.