What happened to F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen?
Kimi Raikkonen is a Formula 1 legend who competed at the sport's highest level for 20 years, challenging the best drivers.
The former Ferrari driver raced with the number seven during his career, and F1 rookie Jack Doohan will be the first to wear Raikkonen's trademarked number when he makes his F1 debut with Alpine in 2025.
The 'Iceman' wore the number seven between 2014 and 2021, and under F1 rules, the number is available for new drivers to use. According to Crash, Doohan said: "One of my idols, a super special person and driver, Kimi Raikkonen, also drove with that number."
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The return of Raikkonen's number in Formula 1 has us thinking. Where and what has Kimi Raikkonen been doing since he finished his F1 career in 2021?
Raikkonen ended his Formula 1 career after 19 seasons in 2021 after competing in 350 Grand Prix, securing 21 wins and 103 podiums in an illustrious career.
According to the F1 website, the Finn won the 2007 Formula One Championship with Ferrari, winning six of the 16 races, including three in the final four, to secure the championship in Brazil.
The Formula One legend took a small hiatus from the track between 2009 and 2011 to compete in the World Rally Championships and NASCAR Xfinity Series before returning to F1 in 2012.
Since retiring in 2021, the Finn has dabbled back in the NASCAR scene in America, returning in 2022 for the Trackhouse Racing team for one race at the Watkins Glen stage.
According to Paddock Magazine, Raikkonen performed very well in the race, consistently staying in the top ten before losing a couple of places due to a pit stop. In an attempt to regain his place, Raikkonen's race ended in lap 46 after a collision with a barrier.
In 2023, Raikkonen competed for Chevrolet in one race at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, finishing in a respectable 29th position.
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The 'Iceman' is currently the team principal of the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP, a motor-cross team that has enjoyed great success since he joined. Team leader Romain Febvre won five consecutive GPs in 2023.
Since finishing his career as a professional sportsman, Raikkonen has prioritized family. The Finn has three children: Robin, Rianna, and Grace.
His nine-year-old son Robin could follow in his father's footsteps after enjoying a successful start to his karting career. Earlier in 2024, Raikkonen Jr. triumphed in the Swiss National Championship, landing him a place in his first international tournament in Italy.
The former F1 champion has made it his priority to look after and oversee his son's journey, becoming his mechanic and setting up an Instagram page for him. Raikkonen has also downplayed the media reports that Robin is attempting to reach F1.
According to the Express, Raikkonen said: "Ah, he's enjoying it. Everything is going nicely. We'll see. If something comes or not, who knows? But he's having fun – that's the main thing."
Since finishing his highly successful F1 career, it's clear that Raikkonen is sure to stay in the motorsport business, whether that be following his son on his journey or taking up a role away from the track.
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