Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula 1 career came to an end when he hit the barriers at turn six at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday. The ‘Iceman’ will not finish the last race of his glorious two-decade long stint in the sport.
Raikkonen’s brakes failed him, the rear axel locked, the car spun and crashed into the barrier. The impact was not too heavy, but the braking issue meant he could not continue.
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“Not how we wanted Kimi’s last race to go. All the same, a big thank you again for this great journey. We’ll miss you always!” Raikkonen’s team Alfa Romeo tweeted.
The Finnish driver in September had announced that he will retire after the season, making the Abu Dhabi GP his last.
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Raikkonen, 42, has been a part of Alfa Romeo since 2019. He won Ferrari’s last F1 title (in 2007). The Finnish, with 103 podium finishes under his belt, is one of just five drivers who has finished on the podium over 100 times. During his run, he won 21 Grand Prix.
However, this is not the first time he is leaving Formula 1. Raikkonen left the sport in 2010 to compete in the World Rally Championship. However, in two years’ time, he was back again on the F1 track.
Alfa Romeo marked his final race with a special livery tribute on the side of his car declaring “Dear Kimi, we will leave you alone now”.
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Raikkonen’s rivals at Abu Dhabi, Alfa Romeo staff and others from the Formula 1 community paid their tributes to the ‘Iceman’ as he started his last race on Sunday
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton continue to battle at the top, with the championship at stake. The winner at Abu Dhabi will be crowned the champion.