Kimi Räikkönen

Kimi Räikkönen, born on October 17, 1979, in Espoo, Finland, is a Finnish professional racing driver who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. Räikkönen began his professional career with Sauber before moving to McLaren in 2002. He is known for his incredible speed, driving skills, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including the F1 World Championship in 2007, and holds multiple records, such as being one of the drivers with the most Grand Prix starts in F1 history.

Off the track, Räikkönen is also recognized for his influence, inspiring millions worldwide with his unique character and racing style.

Sauber

• Youth and Early Career: Räikkönen made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2001, impressing many with his performances.

McLaren

• Early Success: Räikkönen signed with McLaren in 2002. Despite not winning the championship, he delivered strong performances, including a memorable victory at the 2004 Belgian Grand Prix.

Ferrari

• World Champion: Räikkönen moved to Ferrari in 2007 and won the World Championship in his first season with the team. He also made a return to Ferrari in 2014 after his stint with Lotus.

Lotus

• Return to Form: Räikkönen joined Lotus in 2012 and won two races over the next two seasons, proving that he was still among the best drivers on the grid.

Alfa Romeo Racing

• Later Career: In 2019, Räikkönen signed with Alfa Romeo Racing (formerly Sauber), where he continued to compete at a high level into his forties.

Finland National Team

• Räikkönen has represented Finland in various international motor racing competitions, consistently performing at a high level.

• Position: Räikkönen is a Formula 1 driver, known for his exceptional skills in various track conditions.
• Skills: Known for his calm demeanor, exceptional car control, and ability to extract maximum performance from his car. Räikkönen is also celebrated for his technical understanding of the car and his ability to deliver fast laps under pressure.

• Family: Räikkönen is married to Minttu Virtanen and they have two children.
• Interests: Known for his love for motocross, snowmobile racing, and ice hockey.

• Kimi Räikkönen is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his unique character, unflappable demeanor, and longevity in professional racing. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the track, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Formula 1 World Championship:

• Winner in 2007

Most Grand Prix Starts:

• One of the drivers with the most starts in F1 history

Most Fastest Laps:

• One of the drivers with the most fastest laps in F1 history

Books

• Hotakainen, K. (2018) The Unknown Kimi Räikkönen. Siltala Publishing.

Websites

• FIA: Information about Kimi Räikkönen’s F1 career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fia.com
• McLaren: Details about Räikkönen’s career at McLaren. Available at: https://www.mclaren.com
• Ferrari: Official site with updates on Räikkönen’s performance and records at Ferrari. Available at: https://www.ferrari.com
• Alfa Romeo Racing: Official site with updates on Räikkönen’s achievements at Alfa Romeo Racing. Available at: https://www.alfaromeoracing.com
• Formula 1: Updates and records of Räikkönen in F1. Available at: https://www.formula1.com

Articles

• Autosport: Kimi Räikkönen's career in numbers. Available at: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-numbers-behind-raikkonens-record-breaking-f1-career/6665941/
• The Guardian: Kimi Räikkönen’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/kimi-raikkonen

Interviews and Documentaries

• Kimi Räikkönen - All Access (2019): This documentary provides a detailed look at Räikkönen’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• Sky Sports F1: Various interviews and features on Kimi Räikkönen, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.skysports.com/f1