Kimi-Matias Raikkonen (Fin. Kimi-Matias Räikkönen, [Kimi Mɑtiɑs Ræikːøne]; According to Finnish-Russian practical transcription, the correct writing is Ryikkenen; On October 17, 1979, Espoo, South Finland) - Finnish Rontainer, World Champion of Formula 1 series (in 2007), twice the vice-champion of the world (in 2003 and 2005) and twice the bronze medalist (in 2008 and 2012). It is considered one of the best rangers of the present time. In the 2007-2009 seasons, he played for the Ferrari team. Since 2009, has actively participated in the rally races: Finland's rally made his debut in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
In December 2009, he decided to leave at least a year formula-1 and spend the next year in WRC, signing on March 28, 2010 a contract with the Citroën Junior Team team.
In early 2011, Kimi Raikkonen created his own team in the WRC called ICE 1 Racing for which he will continue his further performances in the Rally on Citroen cars, and Kai Lindstré will remain his navigator. In early February 2011, Kimi also announced the creation of his own team in the World Motocross Championship with similar as in the rally name ICE 1 Racing.
November 29, 2011, the Lotus team announced the signing of a two-year contract with Kimi Raikkonen for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
On September 11, 2013, Ferrari team announced the return of the athlete to the team for seasons 2014 and 2015, after which the race car intends to leave a sports career.
In November 2013, it was announced that Raikkonenu will have to surge on the back in the clinic of Salzburg, in connection with which the last races of the season in the United States and Brazil will have to skip Pilot. At the end of November, the operation was carried out successfully, and was officially announced that the spring racer would be released on the track.
Kimi Raikkonen was born on October 17, 1979 in Espoo, Finland. From ten years he participated in karting competitions, where he performed quite successfully. From 1994 to 1997, Kimi participated in the race on the cards on the only one then the track in Russia in Pine Bor (Grand Prix of the LAES), where he held the second place. In 1999, he became the vice-champion of the Captive Series of the Formula Super A. In the same year, he won the Winter Series of the British Renault Formula, defeating four races. In 2000, Raikkonen dominated the regular Renault Formula Championship - he won 13 victories in 23 races.
Season in Zuber
After a successful performance in the Reno's formula, Peter Zauber, the owner of the Zauber team, offered Raikkonen to take part in tests in September 2000, and after successful tests in Jerez and Barcelona signed a contract with Kimi for 2001. FIA President Max Mosley objected to the issuance of the Superlice of the pilot, which spent only 23 races in similar racing series and does not have sufficient experience, but then FIA still gave Raikkonen a temporary license.
In the first race of the season, the Grand Prix of Australia, Finn was able to finish in the speaker area, which was a success for the Zuber team, which was not part of the favorites of the season. In the future, Raikkonen gained glasses in three Grand Prix, and finished the championship at 10th place with 9 points. His more experienced teammate, Nick Heidfeld, also spoke well and scored 12 points in the season. This allowed the Zubera team to occupy the fourth place in the Cup Designers - the highest in the history that she ever occupied.
Career in Maclaren
Raikkonen's results in the 2001 season made an impression on the owner of the McLaren team of Ron Dennis, and he invited the Finnish rider to his team to the place, which was released after the departure from Formula 1 of the compatriot Kimi, two-time world champion of Mika Hakkinen. Many sports journalists were surprised in such a choice, since Raikkonen finished the season worse than his partner Nick Heidfeld, but Ron Dennis in front of the 2002 season has repeatedly stated his confidence that Kimi - a racer of the future, and he will definitely win a lot of Grand Prix .
Season 2002
Raikkonen was able to rise to the podium already in the first race of the season, the Grand Prix of Australia, taking third place. In the following races, he also showed quite good results and kept at the level of his much more experienced partner David Coulthard. He was close to his first victory at the French Grand Prix, but flew off the track after his car drove on the oil left on the asphalt from the burnt motor of the Toyota pilot Alan Maknish; After that, Raikkonen was able to return to the race, but took only second place. However, McLaren cars in this season often could not complete the race due to the fact that Mercedes's motors were unreliable and could not stand the entire race distance. Raikkonen went from the track in 10 races out of 17, scored only 24 points and completed the championship in the sixth place. Together with Coulthard, they won the third place for the "McLaren" in the constructors Cup.
Season 2003
On the season that opened the Grand Prix of Australia, Raikkonen qualified on the 15th place using a spare car. Despite this, in the race he was able to break into the first place and was leading until he was punished for speeding at Pete Lane. The rest of the race he spent in a stubborn struggle for the third place with Michael Schumacher and was able to beat him, finishing the third with the difference of only 0.3 seconds.
At the next race, Malaysian Grand Prix, Raikkonen won his first victory in Formula 1. He started from the seventh place, but at the expense of almost unmistakable piloting, as well as the coincidence of other factors - the collisions of the Schumacher and Trulli, the best pit-stop tactics - was able to capture leadership and keep it.
The third race, the Brazil Grand Prix, was held with a very strong rain, and was stopped after 55 circles - a collision of Fernando Alonso with a wheel from a car Mark Webbera, which appeared on the track after the accident last earlier. The racing stewards decided to stop the race. In this case, the winner is considered the racer, who was the leader in 2 circles to the stop, and at first they were declared Raikkonen. But the subsequent analysis revealed that the leader of the Dzhankarlo Fisicella race, who went around Raikkonen just 54 rounds due to the mistake of Kimi, started 56 round at the time of stopping the race, and therefore the winner must be determined by 54 rounds. As a result, the victory was given to Physichell, Raikkonen remained second. And the Pilot Cups exchanged on a low event dedicated to this small event.
In the future, the teams have improved their cars, and McLaren did not manage to stabilize his new McLaren MP4-18 car, and her riders continued to use the modification of last year's car, MP4 / 17D. This led to the fact that the speed car could not compete with new machines of other leading teams, and McLaren had to rely mainly for the best tactics.
In the Grand Prix, San Marino Raikkonen took second place, and in the next Grand Prix of Spain dropped out of the race at the start: in qualifying he could not show a quick circle and was sent to the last place, and at the start of the race crashed into the Antonio standing in front of him Pizza, which has a stall motor. At the Grand Prix of Austria, Raikkonen was second again, defending his position from the constant attacks of Rubens Barrichello. In Monaco Kimi was close to victory, but he gave way to Juan-Pablo Montae a little more than a second. In Canada, Finn again flew off the track in qualifications and started from the last place, but was able to finish the race sixth.
The residue of the season passed in a dense struggle between Raikkonen, Schumacher and Montae. At the Grand Prix of Europe, Raikkonen started from Poul and led to 25 circles, when the engine burned down on his car. At the Grand Prix of France, Schumacher finished the third, and Raikkonen fourth; At the British Grand Prix, the third was Raikkonen, and the fourth - Schumacher. In German Grand Prix, Kimi could not finish due to the collision in the first turn with Barrichello and Ralph Schumacher, then in the Grand Prix of Hungary took second place.
In front of the ITALY Grand Prix, the scandal broke out due to the "Michelin" tires, which were not quite relevant to FIA standards. The company "Michelin" was forced to urgently supply new tires teams that showed some worst results. This affected the McLaren team, which became even more played in the "Ferrari" speed used by the BRIDGESTONE tire. In the Grand Prix of Italy Schumacher won, and Raikkonen took only the fourth place. Then, the Grand Prix of the United States, Raikkonen started with Pool and was leading for a long time, but because of the rain began, he could not keep the position and gave way to Sumacher's leadership, and finished the second.
The fate of the championship was solved in the last race in Japan, where Schumacher was enough to gain one point for victory in the championship. Raikkonen started from the eighth place and finished the second, and Schumacher took the eighth place, gaining one point exactly. Montoya did not finish this race, and as a result, Schumacher became the champion, Raikkonen took the second place, and the Montoya is the third.
Season 2004
The beginning of the 2004 season has developed for the McLaren team, it is extremely unsuccessful. The MP4 / 18 machine was never brought to a working state, but at the same time before the start of the season there was no longer a time to develop a new car. The team began the season with the MP4 / 19 car, which was essentially MP4 / 18, who had only the most significant drawbacks. This machine was inferior to competitors and at speed, and in reliability. In the first seven races of the season, Raikkonen finished only twice and scored one point.
In parallel, the development of a new car was laid, which debuted into the French Grand Prix with the MP4-19B index. In this race, Raikkonen finished the seventh, but then in the Grand Prix of the UK won Pole and took second place in the race following Michael Schumacher. But, although the new car was fast, she lacked reliability, and in the Grand Prix of Germany and Hungary, Raikkonen could not finish.
The only victory in the 2004 season Kimi won the Belgian Grand Prix. He qualified on 10th place, but to 11 a circle was already the first. In the second half of the race, Raikkonen had to reflect the permanent attacks of the Schumacher's second Mikhael. Because of the accidents on the track, the security car was leaving three times, and the advantage over Schumacher, which was accumulated by Raikkonen, was lost. However, Raikkonen won all three restart racing, without giving Shumacher's opportunity for overtaking. It was one of the three races of the season, which were not won by the pilots of the Ferrari team.
In the next Grand Prix of Italy, Raikkonen went back due to problems with electronics, then was the third in China, the retaining of Rubens Barrichello is only 1.4 seconds. In Japan, in the first round there was a contact of Machines Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, because of what Finna had problems with handling, but despite this, he was able to finish the race in the sixth place. At the final season of the Brazil Grand Prix after a long struggle for leadership with Juan Pablo Montae Rikkonen finished the second. At the end of the season, Raikkonen scored 45 points in the championship and finished it at the seventh place.
Season 2005
The start of the 2005 season also did not become successful for Raikkonen. McLaren cars could not gain enough speed in the qualifications due to the fact that the Mishalin tires did not have time to warm up, as a result in qualifications before the first three races, the best achievement of the McLaren team was only sixth place at the start. In addition to this, in the first race of the season, the Grand Prix of Australia, Raikkonen strokes at the start and could hardly score one point, finishing in the eighth place. Then, in the Grand Prix of Malaysia, Finn was for a third for a long time and had a good chance of the podium, but then the wheel was burst on his car, and he rolled out the points of the points zone. Only in Bahrain Raikkonen, starting the ninth, was able to break through the third place and won the first podium in the season.
In qualifications in front of the next three races - the Grand Prix of San Marino, Spain and Monaco - Raikkonen won the first places. In the Grand Prix of San Marino, he was close to victory, but because of the breakdown of the cardan shaft was forced to go away; In Spain and Monaco Raikkonen won, shorting his backlog from the leader of the Alonso Championship to 22 points. In the next Grand Prix of Europe, it has been lying to the last circle, but then the suspension of his front wheel was broken, and he flew off the route in the first turn of the final range of the Grand Prix. The breakdown of the suspension was caused by the fact that when overtaking Jacques Wilneva Raikkonen rebuilt, and a flat plot was formed on his wheel, which caused a strong vibration. In the 2005 season, the shift of the wheels was allowed only in case of damage to the wheel, and since the puncture was not, the team did not decide to replace the wheel, fearing sanctions. After this, the FIA \u200b\u200bincident released an explanation to the rules in which it was clearly allowed to consider a damaged wheel with a flat section.
The Grand Prix of Canada Raikkonen won again, after the first to the season of a significant error of Alonso. The subsequent Grand Prix of the United States was overshadowed by a new incident with "Michelin" tires, which were unsuitable for the features of the Indianapolis route. After two serious accidents occurred in the same place in the same place, all the teams used by Michelin, including Maclaren, decided not to start in the race. Only 6 cars participated in it, it was the smallest number in the history of Formula 1.
In the next two races, Raikkonen fined ten places on the starting lattice for changing the motor before qualifications (according to the rules, one motor should be used during the entire weekend). Despite this, in France he finished the second, and in the UK - the third. On the Grand Prix of Germany, Raikkonen dominated during the whole weekend and was leading in the race, but then it came out due to breakdown of the hydraulic system. It was his third gathering in the season at the moment when he was leading, and in all three cases after that he won his main rival in the championship - Fernando Alonso. The next after that race, Grand Prix of Hungary, Kimi won, but at a press conference, he said that there are chances that after the end of the contract with Maclaren in 2006 he would go to another team if the reliability of the machines would not rise. - Raikkonen won the Grand Prix of Turkey, which took place for the first time. Then he won the Grand Prix of Italy, but again was fined on 10 positions for changing the motor; In the race, thanks to a good strategy, Finn was able to break through to the fifth place, but soon after that the rear wheel was smelled on his car, after his change, Raikkonen was forced to make several difficult overtaking, and finished the race only the fourth.
At the Grand Prix of Belgium Raikkonen in the second season in a row won. The Brazil Grand Prix was a stubborn struggle between Alonso, Raikkonen and Montaeya, as a result of which Finn finished the second. The penultimate season of the season, the Grand Prix of Japan, became one of the best racing Raikkonen - he was able to win her by starting from 17 places (due to the fact that the rain qualifies all positions). This race, in addition, was remembered by overtaking Kimi Giancarlo Physickella in the external radius in the last round. This overtaking is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the finne career.
After taking second place in China, Raikkonen turned out to be in second place as well as following the results of the championship, retaining 21 points from Alonso, but Michael Schumacher who took the third place to 50 points.
Remover Raikkonen believe that it was he who was the best rider of 2005, and could win the championship if the car was more reliable. This is confirmed by the fact that after the season he was repeatedly named in the press "pilot of the year," including such authoritative publications as magazines F1 Racing and AutoSport.. But most commentators converge that Alonso won the champion title fully deservedly: he dominated the first half of the season, when Maclaren suffered from problems, and in the future I went conservatively and very smoothly, without losing a lot of glasses Raikkonenu even when he won .
Season 2006.
The first race of 2006 was the Bahrain Grand Prix, since the Grand Prix of Australia was transferred due to coincidence with the Games of the British Commonwealth. In this race, Raikkonen was forced to start starting from the last place because of the breakdown of the rear suspension in qualifications, but despite this, it broke up up and finished third. In the Grand Prix of Malaysia in the car, Kimi's first circle crashed from behind Christian Wedge, because of what both cars were forced to get away. Alonso won in the first race of the season, and in the next finish the second, followed by his partner on the teams Jancarlo Physicella, and thus "McLaren" turned out to be practically in the same situation as in the previous season. Then in the Grand Prix of Australia Raikkonen, although he took the second place and set the best circle in the race, yet again was behind Alonso.
Then the results of Kimi worsened. On the Grand Prix of San Marino, he made a mistake in the qualifications and took only 8th place at the start, because of which he could finish only the fifth. The owner of the Ron Dennis team after this Grand Prix said that the reason for the failure was not enough good piloting with Kimi. Then, at the Grand Prix of Spain, Raikkonen qualified even worse - at the ninth place, at the start of the race was able to improve his position before the fifth place and lasted on it until the end of the race. A few days later, after that, Kimi admitted that he was not hoped to win the 2006 championship.
The Grand Prix of Monaco Raikkonen qualified the third, the race went to second place and kept in one rhythm with the leading Alonso, but then desired because of the fire in the car (he first created the impression that the motor burned down, but later it turned out that the wiring was burned) . The British Grand Prix in Silverstone Raikkonen started the second, behind Alonso and ahead of Schumacher, and this order was kept until the second series of pit-stops, in which Schumacher was able to bypass Raikkonen, and Finn eventually finished the third. With the same result, the Canadian Grand Prix ended, and at the US Grand Prix, Raikkonen came down due to a collision with his own partner of Montae (this clash was part of the mass accident in which 7 pilots came down).
At the French Grand Prix, Raikkonen started sixth and could not significantly improve his position, finishing the fifth. In Germany, Finn was able to conquer Pole, but the position did not keep the position and after the fight against Button took the third place. In Hungary, Raikkonen again won Pole and leaded in the race, but after 25 rounds it was collided with Vitonio Loujsi lagging on the circle. In Turkey, Raikkonen qualified only the eighth and in the first turn, collided with Scott AIDS, which is why the wheel turned out to be damaged; He could drive to the boxes and change it, but in the next round finally flew off the track. At the Grand Prix of Italy, Raikkonen was again on Poul and kept the lead to the first pit stops when Michael Schumacher went around; Raikkonen retained second place until the end of the race. After that, the Grand Prix of Schumacher announced the completion of the career, and a few days later, Ferrari's leadership announced that his place would take Rykkonen.
The last three races of the season of special achievements also did not bring. At the Grand Prix of China, Raikkonen came down due to problems with the engine, and in Japan and Brazil ranked fifth places. Era "McLaren" ended for Raikkonen fifth place in the pilot championship and the third place for the team in the Cup of Designers. It is worth noting that for "McLaren" it was the first year since 1996, when there was no uniform victory in the Grand Prix .
Career in Ferrari
After the Grand Prix of Italy 2006, the Ferrari team announced that Raikkonen signed a three-year contract with her (for 2007-2009). Raikkonen himself said that he was very pleased with his transition, but wishes a team of malaren further prosperity. The partner of Kimi became Felipe the mass, speaking for Ferrari since 2006. According to unconfirmed information, after the departure of Michael Schumacher, it was Raikkonen who became the highest paid rider of Formula 1 - rumors were rumored that his salary in Ferrari was about $ 51 million a year.
At the end of 2006, in an interview with the German newspaper BILD. Raikkonen admitted that he was not going to compete with Schumacher in the number of records, and the contract with Ferrari could be the last for him in his career. "I am not afraid of work and is ready to do what the team needs. If you need, I will work every day until late evening. It would be foolish to abandon Michael services, it will be great if he helps me acclimatize in Ferrari. But fighting his records is not for me. ", he said.
The first tests for Ferrari Kimi held on January 23, 2007 on the Vallerung highway. Official test results were not published; According to the team statements, the main purpose of the tests was "acclimatization" by Kimi in the team.
Season 2007.
The 2007 season Kimi Raikkonen spent behind the Ferrari team, speaking together with Felipe Mass. In the first race, he won on the Grand Prix of Australia, starting with Poul, in the second and third Grand Prix, he also climbed the podium, won the third place. At the Spanish Grand Prix, due to problems with the electrician, Kimi was forced to get away from the distance. At the Monaco Grand Prix, in the second part of the qualification, Kimi made a mistake and damaged the suspension, and he had to start with 16 places. As a result, thanks to the tactics of one pit stop, Kimi came to the finish the eighth, won one point. Canadian Grand Prix arrived in the fifth, in the USA - fourth.
A sea of \u200b\u200bcriticism collapsed on him, because of the first half of the season failed - many said that this year Kimi will not be fast, and give way to Felipe. However, after the United States, where, according to many fans, Kimi "woke up", followed two victories in a row - on the Grand Prix of France, and in a week - at the UK Grand Prix. And for the first time in the season, the racer was defeated, who was not the leader in the first turn.
Then there was a Grand Prix - the first rain race season, and the first after the crazy Grand Prix of Brazil 2003, stopped by red flags. After the first circle, Kimi was going to drive into the boxes to change the rubber, but before entering the boxes, his car was listed, and he had to make another circle on the shredded shower on dry tires. As a result, he rolled back quite back. However, after the rain ended and the trace of drier, Kimi went to the third position and approached the leading mass and Alonso, but for the season for the season, the hydraulics broke down. At the Grand Prix of Hungary, held two weeks later, Kimi took a second position, going at the pace of Lewis Hamilton's leader, and did not give the Englishman to earn a big helmet, showing the best circle of racing on the last round.
Then a three-week break took place, during which the head of Ferrari Luke di Montadzezo set the task before the team to win all the remaining 2007 races. The team began to fulfill this task brilliantly - the mass started on the Grandfish at Turkey and won, and Kima earned second place and showed the best circle. Thus, Ferrari in Turkey a double.
At the Grand Prix of Italy, where many were waiting for victories from Ferrari, Kimy during the Saturdays blocked the rear wheels on braking after a long straight line and broke the car. Mechanics for the remaining time to qualify the time to rearrange the motor to the spare car, thanks to which Finn escaped fine. However, the neck damaged in the accident, according to Raikkonen, the whole race was sick, and the distance was not easy for him - especially braking. Ferrari clearly inferior at speeds faster McLaren, and Kimi finished only by the third.
At the next, 14th stage of the 2007 championship, the Grand Prix of Belgium, Kimi won Pole, captured leadership from the start, and only 2 circles did not drive the leader of the race - those on which he drove to Pete Stop. He won the third consecutive Spa, compassing this indicator with Michael Schumacher, and became the only rider in Peleton, who won on one track more than two times.
After that, the rain grade of Japan took place, where Kimi due to the delay in the delivery of notice from FIA had to travel in boxes for changing rubber. As a result, he found himself on the 21st place, from where the race was able to break through to the third position, having committed several terrific overtaking, and almost won the second place - but still could not. But the next race, the Grand Prix of China, he won by increasing the chances of conquering the championship title.
On the Grand Prix of Brazil for the first time since 1986, three riders fought at the final battle of the season for the title. In the final part of the qualification during the rapid circle of Kimi on his trajectory turned out to be Hamilton from Boxes, as a result of which the Kimi started on Sunday only the third. However, in the first turn, he was able to beat Lewis, and after the second series of pit stops - and his partner, finishing the first and showing a quick circle. Alonso finished third, Hamilton - seventh. As a result, Kimi earned 110 points against 109 at both pilots McLaren, won the world title.
Season 2008.
Season 2008 Kimi began in the status of world champion. In addition, after the impressive results demonstrated by Ferrari in winter tests, many said that the road to the second title would be a light walk for him.
However, the first race in Australia turned into a real nightmare for both Raikkonen and the entire team. Already in the first qualifying session, the fuel pump electronics was refused by the Finn machine. Kimi stopped at the entrance to Pete Lane, which, according to the rules, deprived him of the right to continue the qualifications. As a result, the current champion started from the fifteenth place. Many overtaking and two departures on the grass were crowned due to the problems with the engine at the 43rd circle. Finn took the ninth line in the final protocol (in this race only 7 pilots could finish) and only thanks to the disqualification of Barrichello earned one point.
Race in Malaysia Kimi confidently won. Pole got Felipe Massa, whom Raikkonen was ahead after the first pit stop. In Bahrain, Kimi started fourth and finished the second, heading the championship. Ten glasses went to Felipe Massa, which during the whole weekend was much faster than everyone else. After the race, Raikkonen admitted that this route is not very suitable for him.
At the Grand Prix of Spain, Ferrari first used a new version of the nasal fairing with an internal channel, which allowed to redirect the part of the air flow falling under the bottom of the car, on the top surface F2008. Although representatives of the "scudyri" have repeatedly stated that the introduction of this element is not a revolution, and the effect of its introduction does not exceed the winning from other aerodynamic innovations, Raikkonen admitted that for the first time in the season completely satisfied with the behavior of the car. The result is a hat-trick in the execution of Kimi, and the advantage in the championship has strengthened up to 9 points. The Grand Prix of Turkey Finn graduated from the third.
The Monaco Grand Prix has developed for Kimi unsuccessfully. On the wet track, he started the second, following the team team, earned his third pole in the season. However, even before the start of the race, due to the delay of the team with the fastening of the wheels (the techniques have finished work later than the regulations of three minutes before the start) at the Finn, a fine was imposed in the form of travel on Pete Lane. Perhaps this was affected by a psychological tuning rider - at the start of Kimi lost to Lewis Hamilton, and in the first turn damaged the front anti-cycle. During the race, the team waiting for the rain passed on the tactics of one pit-stop, but the calculation was incorrect. As a result, Aisman only by the end of the race managed to gain the pace (showing the best time at the 74th round), but the possible result was crossed by a collision with adrian sutile on the 69th round. Kimi was able to continue after replacing the front fairing and finished the 9th, and for the Force India rider, the struggle was completed.
After the race, the technical director Force India Mike Gaskowan accused Kimi that his team lost four points. However, later it turned out that if he had finished, it would be imposed a 25-second penalty for overtaking rivals under yellow flags, which would automatically drop it into the tenth place. Hamilton won the race, ahead of Raikkonen in the overall standings; The mass arrived third.
Next racing is another failure. In Canada, Kimi qualified the third behind Hamilton and Kubitsa, despite the fact that in the first two sectors of the decisive circle, he was with ahead of the schedule of a better time, and on the third he lost his whole second (ahead of Alonso is only 0.011 c). The problems were related to the fact that the renewed asphalt of the Nizil Vilneva's autodometry could not withstand hard braking and began to collapse. After qualifying Raikkonen said: "Just incredible, how much time I lost in the 10th turn on every circle. The surface of the track began to crumble already during the first session, because of this, I could not show a good time: it didn't care what to drive on ice, I could not find the right trajectory. This is the more hurt that the car was fast, and I could compete for Pole. ". The mass was qualified on the sixth position. It is curious that part of the coating in the 10th turn The organizers of the Grand Prix managed to change at night before the start.
In the race, after the tires ceased to granulate, Finn was able to dial a good pace and even showed a quick circle. But at the 13th round, due to the gathering of Adrian, the safety car was driving on the track, and Kimi was among the five riders who simultaneously killed on Pete Stop after the 19th Circle, when Pete Lane was opened. On the way out of Pete Lane, the red light was burning, and the iceman stopped, giving up with the cubes, and at that moment the third Hamilton traveled from the boxes from the boxes was drunk in Ferrari Raikkonen, finishing the race ahead of time and for Kimi, and for himself. After the second idle start in a row, Raikkonen held the fourth line of the championship.
The bad luck strip continued to pursue Kimi and in Europe. In France, he won the second pole in the season, ahead of his partner Felipe Mass; After the start, retained the lead, creating a comfortable separation from the pursuers. But in the second phase, the race happened unexpected - gave a failure of the exhaust system on the Finn car. The exhaust pipe began to hang out (as a result, he pulled out completely), and a hole formed in the engine casing. All this, naturally, led to a sharp decline in the pace of Kimi, and only the created burrow allowed finishing in second place by passing the partner by the team.
In Silverstone, McLaren began to show a completely different speed - and Raikkonen was able to start only third. However, in the race, he showed a quick circle and expected to compete for the victory, but in the conditions of the starting rain, the team on the pit stop was wrong with the selection of tires - intermediate tires led to several seconds behind each circle. As a result, under the curtain of the race overtaking Alonso, Finn finished only by the fourth, the rescue of the finishing of the first Hamilton on the circle.
The start of the British Grand Prix was marked with an unpleasant incident between Kimi and the photographer Paul Henri Kaye - the photo reporter came too close to the rider at the moment when he was preparing for the start, and came to Raikkonen's bag. He pushed the photographer, who embarrassedly fell on his back.
In Germany, the problems with the Balance of Ferrari got even sharper - the iceman qualified only sixth. Pete stop during the location of the safety machine on the highway, a lot of overtaking (including overtaking the cubes in the last circles) - all this led only to the same 6th place on the finish. The second consecutive victory of Hamilton - and Kimi is already the third in a personal event with a deficit of 7 points.
At the eleventh stage in Hungary, the car behaved much better, but Budapest did not leave any doubts that the problems of Kimi in qualifications could cost him the title. Finn himself partly explains its difficulties in that the F2008 loads less tires - it helps to take them in the race, but it makes it difficult to warm up during short qualifying sessions. Nevertheless, Felipe Massa this circumstance prevents much less - in seven of the eleven past races, he started ahead of the partner. And in Hungary, Brazilot began the race 3rd, while Kimi was content with the sixth place. After starting Raikkonen stuck behind Alonso for long 50 laps (confirming that the Hungarring is almost impossible to overtake), and only after the second pit stop was able to beat Fernando, breed the pace and, according to the old habit, to show a series of fast circles. True, as it turned out, it was a rare day when Fortuna turned to Finn face - puncture of the tire on the Hamilton car and the mass gathering because of the engine failure for several laps to the finish line allowed in the end of Kimi to climb the lower step of the podium (along with the victorious and Glock). On the other hand, returning the debt for such a gift The racing Fortune demanded only 3 weeks later - at first in the history stage in Valencia, the exact same refusal of the motor left Finn without glasses.
In Belgium, where Finna luck is accompanied by three years in a row, Raikkonen started the fourth and was able to break into the first place. But for 2 rounds to the finish, it was raining, and Iceman went, in the most severe struggle with Lewis Hamilton without holding the car on the wet asphalt and crashed into the wall. It is worth noting that Lewis himself was subsequently fined and moved in the final protocol in the third place, as a result of the victory went to Felipe Massa.
Hosti series continued in two subsequent races. In Monza Kimi (and together with him, two other championship leaders - Hamilton and Kubica) because of the heavy rain, which broke out at the end of the second session, could not go into the final part of the qualifications. As a result, Finn started the 14th, and finished the 9th. In the first night Grand Prix of Singapore, Ferrari strategy was crossed by the departure of the safety car after the accident Nelsino peak. And although Raikkonen was able to rise to the 5th place, in four rounds to the finish, he burned the globe and broke his car. The only consolation for Finn was the tenth fast circle in the season (in this way, for three races until the end of the championship, he was the second time in his career with a record of Michael Schumacher 2004).
Only in Japan, Kimi was able to qualify the second and make their way to the lower step of the podium after he was discarded back Hamilton's dangerous maneuver in the first turn of the race.
In the Grand Prix of China Kimi almost all the race was second. But at the end dropped the speed and missed Felipe Mass.
In the Brazil Grand Prix, Kimi came in third place, taking third place in the final test (75 points). For the largest number of fast circles in the season (there were 10 - more than all rivals combined) Raikkonen received the award of DHL Fastest Lap Trophy.
The 2008 season turned out to be for Raikkonen, perhaps the most unsuccessful Rider-1 rider in his career. On a car that won the designer cup, Kimi won only two victories and in the season she lost to his partner Felipe Most 22 points. Moreover, the same number of points (75) scored Robert Kubica, who gave the bronze only because of a smaller number of victories.
Season 2009.
March 23, 2009, less than a week before the start of the championship, head of the Stefano Dominical team in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport said about Raikkonen: "He knows that this year is extremely important for him and how for a rider, and for a team member Ferrari. He is smart enough to understand it. "
This statement can be viewed as indirect confirmation of rumors that the future of "Iceman" in Ferrari in 2010 depends on the results in this.
In 2008, due to the intense struggle for the title Ferrari, the forces focused on the refinement of the existing car, and the 2009 Charity was significantly inferior to the masses of most other teams, especially the Brawn GP.
In the first race of the season, the Grand Prix of Australia, Raikkonen qualified the 9th, but in the race he desired on the 43rd circle after problems with the differential.
In Malaysia, Kimi headed the second session of free races. The qualifications were again ninth, but because of the penalty Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello for 10 and 5 places, according to the 7th. Rain was expected during the race, and rain tires put on the car. But the track was dry, and he lost his position behind the position. Later, the rain really went, and by the time the race was stopped at the 33rd round of Raikkonen held the 14th position.
In China, as well as in Malaysia, the race passed in the rain. In qualifications, Kimi showed the 8th time, though with a large amount of fuel. But the race was not glad again, there were certain problems of technical properties and kimi came to the finish only the tenth, and his partner, Felipe Massa completely descended from the distance at 21 times.
In Bahrain, Kimi earned the first glasses in the season, taking 6th place.
In front of the Grand Prix of Spain, the Ferrari team conducted aerodynamic tests of a car, first using a double diffuser. This allowed the team very seriously pull into the leaders. But in the qualification of the strategists, they did not come out and did not come out even from the first segment. And in the race and at all because of the problems with hydraulics, he was forced to get away from the distance on the 17th Circle.
At the Grand Prix of Monaco Kimi struggled with Jenson Button for Pole, but lost it only 0.025 s and started the second. At the start, he missed Barrichello ahead and came to the finish line Third.
In Turkey, the team did not hit the settings of the aerodynamics and Finn did not get into points at all, finishing the ninth.
The British Grand Prix continued the same problems and Kimi qualified ninth. At the start, he managed to make a good jerk and rise to the fifth place, but due to the fact that he had less fuel than his competitors, Kimi came to the finish just eight.
German Grand Prix passed for the team more successful than the last few races. And Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen fought for the podium, but for the second time (first on the Monaco Grand Prix 2008) encountered a ditch and after a few laps after that came off the track.
At the Grand Prix of Hungary, Kimi qualified on the 7th place, but at the start he was able to break free on the 4th place. Fernando Alonso, who started with Poul, was eliminated himself when on his car during the pit stop did not twist the nut on the wheel. During the first pit foot foot on the departure from the boxes, he almost encountered Webber, but there was no contact and the rest of the race he walked in a smooth pace and came to the finish line by the second, following Lewis Hamilton.
In Valencia, Raikkonen qualified sixth, but as in previous races was able to play the place at the start and rose to the fourth place. Thanks to a good strategy, he was able to reset the Kovalainen on the second pit stop and for the second time in a row rose to the podium, finishing the third.
Before the Grand Prix of Belgium, the team stated that there will be no more technical updates this year. Despite this, Ferrari looked at this highway. Kimi again qualified sixth, but he was second to fourth turn. An accident occurred in the back rows, and the safety machine left on the track. Raikkonen received an indication of the engineers that after restarting it should overtake the physichell. After the restart, on the rise to red water, Kimi used Kers and was able to overtake the physichell. Staying both times on the same circle, Kimi was able to maintain leadership and for the first time in the last 25 races were able to climb the top step of the podium, winning his fourth Grand Prix of Belgium.
The Grand Prix of Italy Kimi qualified the third, at the start he was able to go through the sutile and rose to 2 place. Using the tactics of two pit stops, the scuder was calculated and after the second pit stop, Kimi was behind Brownov and Hamilton. However, at the last circle, Hamilton at the exit from the first scarlet lost control over the machine and Raikkonen finished the third.
Fully failed qualifications on the Singapore Grand Prix for Kimi - and as a result only 12 place at the start. At the start, it was not possible to play anything (missed even Sebastian Buemi, after leaving on the path of Pais-Kara Tactics of one pit stop was completely destroyed. After the second pit stop, though even returned to the tenth highway, in the immediate vicinity of the cubes and Nakajima, still could not overtake them.
Before the Grand Prix of Japan, the team leaders announced that at the end of this season, Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team, and Fernando Alonso will come to his place. Motivated it Stefano Domenical as the undiscoveriance and closure of the Finnish rider. In qualifications, Kimi showed the eighth time (but after a fine for several pilots, he climbed the lattice in the fifth place). The car was very solididly looked at the second and third segments (on the Supersoft rubber), when the times on the circle exceeded the times of the leaders by 0.5-0.6 seconds. As a result, Kimi was able to get ahead of Hyidfeld and finish the fourth.
In the rain qualifications at the Brazil Grand Prix, Kimi showed the fifth time. However, the Race for Finn was corrupted in the third turn when he was trying to overtaking Mark Webber. On Pete Stop Heikki Kovalainen poured fuel to Pete Lane from his hose, which was stuck in his car. After a second, I drove to this section of Pete Lane, and his car caught fire for a few seconds. However, it did not prevent him from continuing the race, and in the future successfully rebuilt strategy allowed Finn to play the places and he came to the finish for the sixth.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has developed for Kimi is not very successful. He qualified only 11th, respectively, without passing the third segment of the qualification, which Lewis Hamilton won, Kimi's rival for the 5th place in the championship. During the start, Kimi not only did not break forward, but I missed the Kobayasi kamui forward. On the 17th Circle due to problems with brakes, Lewis came down, and it seemed that Kimi would be able to break through the glasses. To regain the fifth place, Raikkonen was to finish the seventh, but this did not happen. Kimi walked with a tactic of one pit stop and therefore did not show a good speed. During his only pit stop, Raikkonen reassembled another pilot of Maklaren Heikki Kovalainen, as a result of which Raikkonen after the second wave of Pete-stops was only 12th and remained to the finish. The race is remarkable by the fact that neither McLaren nor Ferrari glasses scored. Kimi Raikkonen graduated from the Championship of the sixth, and in the Farrari designer Cup ranked the fourth place.
At the end of the season, Raikkonen led negotiations with the team McLaren, but eventually announced that in 2010 it would not perform in Formula 1.
Nevertheless, some hope of Kimi's fans remained. The press appeared in the press that the Mercedes GP team is ready to sign a contract with Kimi. But Raikkonen preferred to move to the WRC championship.
The 2009 season left a two-way impression from the performances of Kimi. On the one hand, Finn sometimes demonstrated something incredible on a slow car, and, on the other hand, it may be necessary to be lacking for the car led to a sharp drop in the results compared with the previous season.
2010-2011 (Career in WRC)
In December 2009, the racer decided to spend the next year in the WRC, signing on March 28, 2010 a contract with the Citroën Junior Team team.
Raikkonen finished on the 8th place in the third race of the 2010 season (rally of Jordan) and earned 4 points. Thus, he became the second rider in history after Carlos Roatem Man, who managed to earn points both in Formula 1 and in the World Rally Championships. According to the results of the championship, Kimi took the 10th place in the standings of pilots with 25 points on the account.
January 2, 2011 information appeared that Rykkonen could complete the sports career. The navigator of the Finnish rider Kai Lindstrus told the Finnish press that Kimi considers such an option after the death of his father, but on January 10, Raikkonen was registered as a member in Sweden Rally 2011.
Of the 11 races, Raikkonen took part in 9, the best result was the 6th place in Jordan and Germany.
2011 (experience in NASCAR)
In addition to participating in the world rally, Raikkonen tried himself in Nascar in 2011, taking part in one race in two series: Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series.
2011 (Testing the prototype le mana)
In January 2011, there were reports that Raikkonen together with Sebastian Leb plan to take part in the Marathon race 24 Hours of 2011. Later, both pilots refused to participate in the race. In August, Kimi repeated that he had an interest in Le Manan and took part in testing the prototype LMP1 Peugeot 908, driving on the Spanish Aragon 35 circles.
Career in Lotus (Return to Formula 1)
Season 2012.
The end of the 2011 season was full of rumors about returning Kimi in Formula 1 as a combat pilot of the Williams team. However, negotiations between Raikkonen and Williams have not led to any positive result. At the end of November, it became known that Robert Kubitsa could not fully recover after the accident at the beginning of the 2012 season. As a result, Kimi entered into a two-year contract with Lotus and will act as a combat pilot. His partner was the Romance of Grozhan, who already tried his hand in Formula 1 in 2009, but could not show a decent result.
January 23-24 conducted individual tests behind the wheel of the Renault R30 in Valencia on the Pirelli demonstration tires. After two years of lack of driving, Formula 1 was able to show a good pace.
In the first qualification of the season at the Grand Prix of Australia, Raikkonen because of his own mistake and misunderstanding with his team was able to show only the 18th time, but in the race, thanks to a good tempo and the openings, rivals finished on the 7th place, earning the first glasses in the season.
At the second stage of the season, the Grand Prix of Malaysia, Kimi showed in qualifying the 5th time, but due to the fine imposed after replacing the gearbox, started from the 10th position. Confidently speaking in difficult conditions for changing weather, Raikkonen finished on the 5th place. In addition, shortly before Finish, Finn showed the fastest racing circle.
At the Grand Prix of Bahrain, Raikkonen took second place, thereby returning to the podium of the Grand Prix after 4 races after his return. The next Grand Prix of Spain confirmed the good form of the Lotus team: Kimi was able to break through into the podium again, taking third place in the race and giving way to the second Fernando Alonso for only 0.6 seconds. At the Grand Prix of Europe, Kimi started the fifth, but the good ability of Lotus take care of rubber on hot conditions, the gate of the Vettel and Grossov, and the overtaking of Hamilton allowed him to finish the second. In Silverstone, he finished the 5th, in Germany 4th, but because of the fine, imposed after the race for Sebastian Vettel for incorrect overtaking, he got the third place. In Hungary, he finished the 2nd, in the spa third, although the whole race complained about the absence of a holder. In Monza and Jonam, arrived at 5th, in Singapore and Japan 6th, in India, 7th. The first victory in the season came to the UAE. It qualified by the 5th, but because of the penalty of Sebastian Vettel, for the disadvantage of the car in qualifications, started 4th. At the start, Finn won two positions, and after the gathering the leading Lewis Hamilton came out to the leaders and kept the catchy of his Fernando Alonso. In the US, he started the 4th and finished 6th. In Brazil, he started the 8th and finished 10th, thus being the only rider in the Peloton, finishing in all races of the season.
Season 2013
Raikkonen great began the season with victory at the Grand Prix of Australia. In qualifying on the dried track, he showed the seventh time. At the start, played two positions. Later, at the expense of two pit stops against the three competitors, he went to the leaders and installed the fastest circle for two circles until the end of the race. This victory has become twenties for him in his career. In Malaysia, Kimi qualified the 7th, but was punished with stewards of the loss of three places on the latch lattice for blocking Nico Rosberg. The race also finished the 7th. In China, he started and finished the second, he qualified in Bahrain ninth, but because of the fine imposed on Liius Hamilton for shifting the gearbox, started eighth. In the race he walked on the strategy of two pit stops against three from competitors. This allowed him to finish the second after Sebastian Vettel. The Podium of the Grand Prix of Bahrain was exactly the podium of the Grand Prix of Bahrain 2012, then in the same sequence, Vettel, Raikkonen and Grosjee finished. In Spain, starting the 4th, Kimi used the tactics of three pit stops against four at major competitors: Alonso, masses and vethelers - this allowed to get ahead of the mass, and due to this he finished the 2nd. In Monaco, he qualified the 5th, and in the race in the fight against Sergio Perez, the rear left wheel was punctured. Kimi drove into the boxes, changed the rubber, but drove only sixteenth. But in Fresh Rubber, he quickly caught firewood and in the last circles was held Van der Garde, Chilton, Gutierres, Bottas, Hulkenberg and still finished in a tenth place, earning one point. In Canada, he started the 12th and finished 9th, in Silverstone, the 9th qualified in Silverstone, but advanced to the 8th place, because of the penalty imposed on the floor di restaurant for the disadvantage of a barish. In the race finished the 5th. At the Nurenburgring, thanks to the updates, Kimi started the 4th and finished 2nd. Moreover, the last circle of Finn caught up with the leader's leading Sebastian, but there was not enough time for the attack. The Grand Prix of Hungary qualified the 6th and finished 2nd, by beating the Vettel Sebastian at the end of the attack. It is noteworthy that the podium Kimi in Hungary has become 150 podium for Finnish riders in Formula 1. In the rain qualifications in SPI, only 8 times, and in the race and completely descended due to problems with brakes. This is the 1st gathering Raikkonen for all his time speeches in the lotus. In Italy, he was weakly, starting and finishing the 11th. Moreover, at the start of Finn damaged the front anti-car about the Sergio Peres Machine because of what he had to make 2 pit stops along the race against one from the competitors. At the end of the race he caught up with the 10th Jenson Batton, but did not have time to go through.
On September 11, 2013, it was announced that Raikkonen from 2014 returns to Ferrari, signing a two-year contract with the team.
In Singapore, Kimi due to the problems with his back qualified only the 13th, but in the race because of a smaller number of pit stops broke into the lower step of the podium. In Korea qualified the tenth, but because of the fine, Webber started the 9th. In the race committed a breakthrough until the 2nd place. In Japan, qualified ninth and finished in fifth place. In India, the 6th and finished 7th started, and on the penultimate circle, due to strong wear, the tires made an unscheduled pit-stop, and the fastest circle showed on fresh soft rubber on the last circle. Abu Dhabi qualified 5th, but was excluded with stewards from the protocol and moved to the last place at the start due to the inconsistency of the Rules of the front of the bottom .. The race was already in the first turn, damaging the steering after contact with the car hydro van der der der Garde .. On November 10, it became known that Kimi would miss the last two races in the United States and Brazil in connection with the operation that he should spend on November 14 on his back because of a long time with the spine .. Kimi season finished at the final fifth place.
Return to Ferrari
Season 2014.
In Australia, the 1st race after returning to the Italian stable - Raikkonen finished the 8th, but due to the disqualification of Daniel Riccardo rose into 7th place. In Malaysia, the sixth qualified, but the race was spoiled on the 2nd round, when Kevin Magnussen in an attempt to overtaking him pierced him the rear right wheel with his front anticarp. Kimi lost almost a minute to get to his boxes and eventually finished the race at the 12th place. For the first time in the season he was ahead of Fernando Alonso in the qualifying of the Grand Prix of Bahrain, showing the sixth time. However, the start failed and finished the tenth behind Fernando Alonso. In China, he qualified only by the eleventh, despite the fact that Fernando Alonso qualified in fifth place. In the race finished eighth. In Spain, ahead of Alonso in qualifying, showing the sixth time. However, the race finished the 7th, behind Alonso. In Monaco started 6th. The race started well and went third after the departure of Sebastian Vettel. But in the future, in the course of the race, I rolled back because of the puncture of the wheels, and in five circles to the finish, he was at all collided with Kevin Magnussen in turning the Fairmont Hotel, drowned in a fence. Kimi was forced to call on the third pit stop as a result finished the twelfth, on the penultimate circle showing the best circle in the race. This best circle has already become the 40th in Finn's career. In Canada, started and finished the tenth. In Austria, where Kimi had a two hundredth start in Formula 1, finished the tenth. In the UK, on \u200b\u200bthe 1st round, it was too widely out of turn and, jumper on the bar, crashed into a bump. In Germany finished 11th. In the first segment of qualifying the Grand Prix of Hungary, Ferrari decided to restrict ourselves to one attempt on the MEDIUM tires and calculated, on the last seconds the pilot of the Marussia team Jules Bianchi knocked out from the second segment, moving it away from the 17th place. The race broke into the 6th place. A good race Kimi was able to spend in Belgium. By starting eighth, he finished the fourth, struggling at the end of the race for the lower step of the podium with his compatriot Valtter Bottas. In Italy finished 10th, but because of the fine Kevin Magnussen moved to the 9th place. In Singapore, started the 7th and finished 8th. In Japan, Ferrari failed in full. Raikkonen started the 10th and finished 12th, and his partner Alonso had completely descended from the distance already on the 3rd round due to the problems with electronics. In the first in the history of the Grand Prix of Russia, Kimi qualified ninth, but advanced to the eighth place, because of the fine imposed on Kevin Magnussen. In the race finished the 9th. In the US, he started the 8th, but due to the strong wear of the tire finished only the 13th. In Brazil finished the 7th. In the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, the 7th and finished 10th started. The Kimi season completed at a twelfth place, earning 55 points, and for the first time since the debut season, 2001 never rose to the podium. The best moments of Kimi in the season were the 4th place at the Belgian Grand Prix and the best circle on the Monaco Grand Prix, which was the only fastest circle for Ferrari in the 2014 season.
Season 2015.
Kimi Raikkonen began the season with a new teammate partner, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso moved to the McLaren Honda team. Already at the pre-season tests it was noticeable that Ferrari managed to significantly finalize its engine and seriously pull up Mercedes motors seriously, the factory team Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and to the Williams F1 Team team.
At the first of the season, the Grand Prix of Australia Kimi qualified in fifth place, only 3 hundredths giving way to fettel. In the race, Kimi came down at 41 rounds due to the rear left wheel tailed on the pit stop. Nevertheless, Ferrari confirmed its speed, Fettel finished third, and Kimi himself demonstrated an excellent pace on soft rubber. In Malaysia, Finn was poorly qualified (11th), at the start puncture the wheel, but the appearance on the track of the safety car returned him into the race. Kimi made a breakthrough in 4th place. In China, he qualified the 6th and finished 4th, and after the second pit stop Lewis Hamilton entered the leaders of the race for one circle, for the first time with Germany 2013.
Formula 3 team
In 2004, Kimi Raikkonen, together with the sports manager Steve Robertson, founded the racing team "Raikkonen Robertson Rakeing", which began to perform in the Formula 3 championship since 2005. The team is based in English Woking, in close proximity to McLaren. In 2005 and 2006, Bruno Senna, nephew of the legendary Airton Senna, was one of the pilots of this team.
In the 2006 season, the team has achieved significant success - her pilot Mike Conveyed won the British Formula 3 championship, while winning also in the most prestigious Grand Prix of Macau.
According to the results of the 22 stages of the 2008 season, the pilot of the Atte Mustonen team (Atte Mustonen - also from Finland) took the 6th place in the International class, having 138 points and one victory.
Character and personal life
Kimi Raikkonen is considered a very calm and imperturbable rider who accurately calculates the strategy and tactics of the race. For these qualities, he received the nickname "Ice Man" ( The Iceman.). Some journalists compared his piloting style with the style of Nicky Lough.
It is also considered that Raikkonen loves to sleep very much, so it has to be awaited before the races. There were rumors that in 30 minutes before his first Grand Prix in Formula 1 Kima still slept. Confirmed these facts when he participated in the last episode of the 18th season of Top Gear's transfer as a guest star.
In addition to races, Kimi is fond of hockey, which is played quite well. He also loves to ride a bike and snowboard. Recently participated in Rally-Lapland and showed a good result for a beginping of such competitions. In addition, it has been fond of snow motorcycles for a long time, where it often wins. Kimy loves to drink something stronger, and it is often causing him; In addition to this kimi smoker.
From 2004 to 2013, Raikkonen was married to the Finnish model Jenny Dalman. With her, he lived in a huge mansion of 526 m². On the island of Kaskisaari on the outskirts of Helsinki, bought in 2000s. For 9.5 million euros.
In addition to the mansion in the capital of Finland, Kimi Raikkonen has a villa overlooking the sea on the island of Phuket (Thailand) and a luxurious penthouse with historical interiors in the center of Helsinki - in the so-called "stone palace" (Kivipalatsi), built in 1896 by the architect Florentin Granghalm. In April 2014, it became known that Ryakkonen paid about 3 million euros for Penthouse, and about 2 million euros spent on the restoration.
Currently, Kimi Raikkonen divorced Jenny Dalman and lives in a civil marriage with Nirvarten. January 27 they had a son Robin.
Kimi Raikkonen - Photo
Kimi Raikkonen. - The famous Finnish Racer, repeatedly winning the World Championship in Formula 1, as well as won a huge number of medals, cups and awards. It was he who took an active part in Finland's rally, made his debut in the Ferrari team and received the honorary title of one of the best pilots of the notorious racing tournament "F-1". Read more about his biography, career growth, achievements and personal life, read further.
Childhood and Youth Years
Kimi Raikkonen was born in October 1979. His homeland is considered the small town of Espoo, located on one of the shores of the Gulf of Finland, a little west of the capital of Finland. From the ornament, he loved a quick ride and appreciated the feeling of rivalry. At the same time, he was absolutely not important, he participated in the usual yard race or becomes skiing professionally. According to parents, he tried to be first everywhere. Therefore, always moved with all his might and tried to squeeze the maximum.
First stage in the sports career
Starting from 7 years, Kimi Raikkonen became interested in karting. At first it was just entertainment, but over time it turned into something more. When the boy turned 10, his name has already appeared on the tournament table among juniors. So simple passion became a kind of foundation in the further sporting career of the rider.
Unexpected successes and achievements
From mid-1994, Kimi Raikkonen begins to gradually increase his bar. He trains a lot, improves the skill of piloting and learns to the subtle techniques of spectacular kart. And then, until 1997, he participates in races and competitions held on one of the specialized Russian trails. In some of the moments he managed to win silver. This becomes his most long-awaited victory, which allowed to enjoy the first rays of Glory.
One of the most fruitful moments in life
1999 Kimi Raikkonen dubbed as the most fruitful period in the biography. It was at that time that our hero received the largest number of awards and prizes. The year began with the first victory. Then Raikkonen confirmed his position of the leader and won the vice-champion title in the "Super A" formula. Closer to mid-year, the racer receives several awards, one of which is associated with the victory in the Winter Series Formula Renault, which took place in Britain.
Ascent of the rider on Olympus
Student's stunning victories could not remain unnoticed. And now a year after a series of successful performances, Kimi Raikkonen (a photo can be found below) begins his first ascent to the honorary sports "Olympus". He was lucky to be at the right time at a suitable place.
And, as it happens in such cases, he noted one of the main managers of the team, known as Zuber. He suggested our hero to go through general testing to participate in the next arrival, but at a higher level. The test was put on perfectly. Therefore, a promising novice, behind which there were already 23 successful arrival, his first long-playing annual contract and a temporary license of the pilot appeared.
Victory and game team
The Zuber team became one of the first to drive a racer, where he was lucky to feel the notorious team spirit. Moreover, prove the loyalty and comprehensive support of its partners Kimi managed, starting with the very first race in Australia. At that time, the pilot was lucky to enter the top five leaders.
Next, Kimi Raikkonen (you will find a full-length photo at the end of this text) continued to score points, and by the end of the championship he was lucky to consolidate at 10 rating positions. Thanks to the coherence of the actions of the parters on the team "Zauber" managed to gain a fourth place. And this, in turn, allowed them to claim the main award in the Cup of the "F-1" constructors and positively affected the reputation of the team as a whole.
Change of positions and choice in favor of another team
To the surprise Kimi, he did not have to think about finding work after the expiration of the contract with Zuber. As soon as the deadlines of the previous treaty passed, our hero was offered a new contract, but already as part of the McLaren team. The owner of the band was so impressed with the achievements of the rider that he invited him instead of the famous pilot Mika Hakkienses instead of the famous pilot.
To universal surprise, Kimi Raikkonen (photos and footage from his life can be seen in this article) was able to justify the hopes of the head of the team, starting from the first arrival in 2002, which took place in Australia. At this time, he was lucky to enter the top three leaders of arrival. And in the French Grand Prix he almost took the first place, but by the will of the case came from the track and came the second. And then there were still a few unsuccessful races that did not allow the rider to win a unconditional victory.
Kimi Raikkonen: Interesting Facts and Thorny Path to Victory
After not so lucky, 2002 was the next one, which was also not different from the special variegated paints. So, during this period, our hero did not manage to come first. Moreover, as it was called, he hurt something all the time: the car led, it did not work around the rivals, and even a unexpected penalty was over the speed. Therefore, by the end of 2003, Raikkonen had peculiar swings. In one race he became the fourth, in another - the third, second, but not first.
In one of the competition, he even almost managed to get a technical victory due to the stop stop (the reason was the bad weather). However, when re-viewing cameras, the victory was awarded to another athlete, which bypassed our pilot just a few seconds. As a result, in the McLaren team, the car driver could not achieve special heights, and in early 2007 he was lured in Ferrari.
The contract with the new team was not only promising, but also well paid. It was rumored that the amount of payment of the rider under the contract was about $ 51 million per year. And the pilot himself did not plan to repeat the Schumacher's career. He even somehow suggested that the Ferrari team will become the last in his career. This is how Kimi Raikkonen believed. Personal life at that moment was already arranged, so he could go to the long-awaited peace with a calm heart. As it turned out, it was only erroneous speculation.
During the work in the new team, Kimi won during the Grand Prix in Australia (2007), then won the reward in the Grand Prix of France and the United Kingdom. After was a stunning victory in the Grand Prix of Europe, Brazil and China.
Several interesting information from personal life
Despite all his life peripetics, Kimi continued to go ahead. He changed the mass of teams, coaches and cars, but remained faithful to his calculating tactic and the harsh glance of "Ice Man" (this is exactly the rider for his tactfulness and a special cold settlement during arrival).
In addition to the races, our hero was also fond of hockey. And he can play well in him professionally. He also easily mastered the snowboard, ride a bike and a snowy motorcycle. Despite his attractive sports career, the racer is not an adherent of a healthy lifestyle. He loves to sleep, smokes a lot and can afford alcohol.
Kimi was married twice. At first his wife was the Finnish model and just beautiful Jenny Dalman. According to rumors, after the divorce with Kimi Raikkonen (the photo of the wife can be seen here) His former Passasy sued him a pretty decent amount.
In 2016, the racer married again. At this time, his chosen was placed by Nirvarten - the former stewardess, professionally fond of fitness. Interestingly, the Wedding Date was constantly delayed. And in 2015 they had a son who was called Robin. And only a year after the birth of the baby in love, we managed to legitimize their relationship.
Kimi Raikkonen from nine years participated in different karting competitions, where he won several championship titles. In 1999-2000, he took part in the competition formula-Reno, in which there were 23 races (he won thirteen). After so lucky performances, Raikkonen was invited to the tests of Formula 1 to the Sauber command. According to them, Peter Zauber signed a contract with the Finnish pilot. However, a small experience of performances in series with open wheels did not allow Raikkonen to obtain permission to participate in Formula 1. After some reflections, he still issued a conditional superlice with a trial period of four stages. On the Debut Grand Prix of Australia, 2001, Raikkonen finished the sixth.2002-2006. McLaren.
In the 2002 season, young Finn moved to Ron Dennis to replace her countryman - Mika Hakkinen. Already during the debut race for McLaren Kimi finished in the third position, and the Grand Prix of France was in step from his first victory. But in general, the season was not very wondering due to the technical problems of McLaren. But the next year for Finn became a triumphal - victory at the second stage of the season, two third places and seven seconds. As a result - vice-championship and many photos of happy kimi. Further career in McLaren was still similar to the American slides: endless technical problems in 2004, the second vice championship in 2005 and a complete failure in the 2006 season. Gradually, the Finnish pilot became less talkative and more and more serious.
2007. Championship title
At the end of 2006, Michael Schumacher said that he leaves Formula 1. Ferrari did not think for a long time and took Kimi Raikkonen in his place. For this, the Finnish pilot thanked the team in full: he told in all interviews, which is very happy to transition to the scubourism and wants Ferrari to become his last team in his career. And then took and won the Grand Prix of Australia and the whole season. At the moment, this is the only champion title in the piggy bank Kimi Raikkonen.
2008-2009. Ferrari.
Season 2008 began for our today's hero quite well. After an extremely unsuccessful race in Australia, Raikkonen won the stages in Malaysia and Spain, became the second in Bahrain and confidently headed the personal offset. But on one after another, technical problems with car and the mistakes of the pilot itself began to be raised. As a result - the third place in the overall standings. At the beginning of the 2009 season Stefano Dominicali, the head of Ferrari, said that the future of Finn in the team depends only on him. But the strip of failures for the pilot continued, and that year Kimi Raikkonen finished the ninth in the personal event.
2010-2011 year. Outside formula 1
At the end of the 2009 season, Kimi Raikkonen announced his departure from Formula 1 and the transition to the WRC, where he played the Citroën Junior Team team. And in 2011, Finn created his own ICE 1 Racing teams in the WRC series and Motocross. For the first time in a long time, the appearance of our hero changed: instead of the familiar short haircut, the hair of Kimi Raikkonen became longer.
2012-2013 year. Lotus.
Finnish pilot decided to return to Formula 1 after a two-year pause. At the end of the 2011 season, rumors were rumored about cooperation Kimi Raikkonen and Williams. But for his return, the racer chose Lotus. In general, the 2012 season for Finn was not bad: a stable finish in the top ten (with the exception of the Chinese race), not a single season for the season, 7 podiums, victory in Abu Dhabi and the third result in the personal event. The following year passed on the same note. True, according to the results of the season, the 2013 Kimi became only the fifth. Statistics spoiled the two final stages in which the racer did not participate due to problems with his back. And in September 2013, the Press service Ferrari reported information that in the 2014 season Raikkonen will again be driving the Italian car. For two seasons in Lotus Kimi Raikkonen appeared before fans and with a long and short haircut.
2014-2016. Ferrari.
The return to the scuder was not so enchanting as a debut of seven years ago. The team was difficult to transition to new V6 turbo engines with a volume of 1.6 liters, so Nor Fernando Alonso, nor Kimi Raikkonen could show the results of the champion team. But the situation improved significantly in the 2015 season, when the team leader became, and the new partner Finn is Sebastian Vettel. Kimi was able to finish three times on the podium and complete the championship in 4th place. After prolonged thinking, Ferrari head extended a contract with a pilot for 2016, and then - and for 2017. Raikkonen reiterated that after leaving the Italian team, he would complete his career in Formula 1. And Pilot, Paul Rikkonen, admitted that after her son had returned to the scuder, he began to smile much more.
Personal life
With the Finnish model of Jenny Dalman (on the side of the left below), Kimi Raikkonen met in 2002. They got married on July 31, 2004, and in 2013 their marriage collapsed. In the same year at the Grand Prix of Hungary, the journalists first noticed in the Paddock of Formula 1, Nirvarten - a new chief of Raikkonen. The girl masterfully combines the model business, the work of a flight attendance and support for his beloved - it appears in the boxes of the Motorsport Queen practically every stage. For a long time, the couple lived in a civil marriage, but on August 7 in Italy, they led their relationships. On January 27, 2015, they had a son Robin - an accurate copy of Kimi. The ministry claims that the well-known pilot is absolutely another - more emotional and sociable. And the observation paparazzi noticed that after a meeting with Minintu, Raikkonen became smaller and calm.
Tattoos
Finnish pilot - a big lover of imaging on the body. The first tattoo of Raikkonen was a small smiling sun, which Finn fought on the right wrist back in 2001. In 2007, he changed her on a large abstract image. At that time, in Paddok Formula 1, there were not so many pilots with such noticeable tattoos. Therefore, journalists almost immediately asked Jean Todta (who then led Ferrari) his opinion regarding the appearance of the pilot. The Frenchman surprised many, saying that he would break contracts with those sponsors that would say something against Raikkonen's tattoos. "This is the personal matter of pilots. If Kimi wants to make a tattoo on his face - for God's sake, "added Todt. In 2008, Kimi fought a second tattoo on his left hand. It was the nickname Finn - Iceman.
– "He's a Man of Few Words," Jenson Button Once Said Of Kimi Raikkonen, "But He's All About Racing." Never The Most Loquacious Out Of The Car, The Mercurially-Talented 2007 World Champion Has Always Preferred to Let His Driving Do the Talking, Be That In A Rally Car, on a Snowmobile, Or, Most SuccessFully, in Formula One Machinery.
Fast-Traced Into The Sport Wheels, The Unknown Newcomer Who Camerm from Nowhere and Said Next To Nothing Immediately Proved He Knew Exactly What He Was Doing: Driving A Formula One Car As Fast As It Could Possibly Go. The Car Couldn't Always Keep Up with His Talent and It Took Seven Seasons for Kimi 'Iceman' Raikkonen to Become World Champion. Notoriously INANIMATE AND UNCOMMUNICATIVIVE, THE SILENT SPEEDSTER'S FROZENIN EXPRESSION IN FACT MASKED THE HIDDEN Depths in One Of The Coolest, Most Original Characters In The Sport's History ...
Kimi Matias Raikkonen Sport His Childhood in a House Built by His Great Grandfather in Espoo, A Suburb of the Finnish Capital, Helsinki. To Provide for Kimi, Born on October 17, 1979, And Older Brother Rami, Their Hard-Working Parents Matti and Paula Toiled, Respectively, As A Road Builder and An Office Clerk. Money Wes Scarce But The Raikkonens Weres A Happy Family and Their Humble HomeSead Surrounded by Open Countryside Was An ideal Environment for The Two Rambunistics YoungSters to Flex Their Racing Muscles. At First (When Kimi Was Just Three Years Old) The Brothers Tore Around On Miniature Motocross Bikes Fitted with Training Wheels. A MOVE TO KARTS PAVED THE WAY FOR KIMI (WHE BEGAN COMPETITIVE KARTING AT 10) AND RAMI (Who Evenually Became a Successful Rally Driver) to make Rapid Progress in Motorsport, Though IT Came at a Cost. Matti Had to Work Nights AS A Taxi Driver and Nightclub Buncer and Funds Diverted to Karting Meant Plans to Replace the Outside Lavatory with a Proper bathroom in the faceride home Had to Be Postponed.
Kimi, A Reluctant Student WHO Used His Schoolbag As a Sled to Slide Down Snow-Covered Hills, Enjoyed Winter Sports, Especially Ice Hockey, Though He Evenually Gave It Up Because He Hedting Up for Early-Morning Practice. AT 16 He Left School And Enrolled in a Course for Mechanics, Believe This Skill Might Be The Only Way to Stay Involved in Motorsport. Very Soon His Mechanical Expertise, And The Need for Family Funding, Became Superfluous, AS Kimi's Natural Talent for Driving Fast Led to Sponsored Rides.
Following a Rapid Series of Successes in Finnish, Nordic and European Karting, He Jumped Into a Racing Car and Promptly Won Two British-based Formula Renault Championships. In The Fall of 2000, Despite Having Just 23 Car Races to His Name, He Was Given A Test by The Sauber Formula One Team. Impressed by His Immediate Pace and Assured Approach, Sauber Shrewdly Signed The 21-Year Old to Drive for Them in 2001. His Having Short-Circuited The Conventional Route to the Top Provoked Fierce Debate Over His Right, Let Alone His Readiness, to Race AT The Pinnacle of Motorsport. RAIKKONEN RAPIDLY SILENCED HIS CRITICS (He Finished Sixth in His Grand Prix Debut) And Attracted The Attention of McLaren, Who Saw Him As A Likely Successor to the Retiring Two-Time Champion, Mika Hakkinen.
Money (Stats From 2015)
Biggest Salary: $ 51m / Three Year Deal for 2007-2009 with Ferrari (2009 Salary)
Current Salary: € 10 Million ()
NET WORTH: $ 130 Million in.
Ranked 28th in 2003 F1 Rich List, Ranked 2nd In 2009 BEST-PAID CELEBRITIES UNDER 30,
Ranked 32nd in 2015 Forbes Highest PAID Athletes
CHARITY: Donates to Sos Children's Villages
HISTORY (Pre-F1):
| 1987- | FIRST TIME IN KART |
| 1988- | |
| 1989- | Karting, Some Wins In Classes A, B and C |
| 1990- | Karting, Some Wins In Classes A, B and C |
| 1991- | National Karting, Class Mini |
| 1992- | National Karting, Class Raket Junior |
| 1993- | National Karting, Class Raket, Finnish Cup, 9th Overall. |
| 1994- | National Karting, Class Raket, Finnisch Cup, 2nd Overall. |
| 1995- | Formula A Karting: First Race, and First Win, 23rd April. |
| 1996- | Karting Grand Prix (European Series) World Championship Races and Nordic Championship Races; No Wins In Finnish Championship, Class Formula A; FINISHED 4TH OVERALL |
| 1997- | Finnish Championship, Class Intercontinental A, Champion Nordic Championship, Class Intercontinental A; 4th Overall, Karting Grand Prix and World Championship Races - Invited to Drive With Peter De Bruin Team |
| 1998- | Lived in the Netherlands. FINNISH CHAMPIONSHIP, CLASS FORMULA A; Champion. Nordic Championship; Champion. Class Formula Intercontinental A, European Karting Grand Prix; Winner. Super A; 2nd Overall. Monaco Cup, Class Super A; 3rd Overall. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, FORMULA SUPER A; RETIRED FROM 7TH POSITION. |
1999- |
FINNISH CHAMPIONSHIP, CLASS FORMULA A; 2nd Overall. FINNISH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, CLASS FORMULA SUPER A; 10th. Ford Zetec Euro Cup; 5th. Ford Festival, Retired in the Final. First Formula Renault Race, With Haywood Racing; 3rd. Formula Renault Winter Series, With Manor Motorsport; Winner, with Four Wins from Four Races. |
2000- |
British Renault 2000, Champion with Manor Motorsport (Despite Competing in Only 10 Rounds of the Series), Seven Wins, Six Pole Positions, Seven Fastest Laps. FINISHED ON THE PODIUM IN ALL 10 RACES CONTESTED; European Formula Renault Championship: Competed in Only Three Rounds, Two Wins, Two Pole Positions, Two Fastest Laps. Retired While Leading in Third Race Due To Mechanical Failure. Tested for Red Bull Sauber Petronas Formula One Team At Mugello |
Kimi Raikkonen.
by Timothy Collings, England (2001)
Formula One Journalists Are Used to Seeing New Promising Talents Show Up in Formula One, Racked Up with Trophies from F3000 or F3, Hailed AS The Next Best Thing, Then Only to Vanish Into The Long List of "Had Potential" HAS-Beens. But Kimi Raikkonen Is Different. HE SIMPLY SHOWED UP OUT OF NOWHERE, WITH LITTLE IF ANY EXPERIENCE IN OPEN WHEEL RACING. The Fia refused to Give Him a Superlicense; The Pundits In The Paddock Raised An Eyebrow At Peter Sauber. Four Races Into The Season, Kimi-Mania Is Very Much Alive, and Veterans of the Young Finn with Enthusiasm Rarely Seen. Timothy Collings Caught Up with the Endearing Youngster, To Hear From Him About Life in the Fast Lane.
Having Overcome Some Pre-Season Prejudice Caused by His Inexperience, a Team Decision to Ban His and His Teammate's Girlfriends from the Garage, Pits and Team Hotel, And A Cynical Press with Little Faith in Peter Sauber's Ability to Spot A Rising Star, Kimi Raikkonen Will Have Enjoyed Hearing The Sound Of Words Being Munched With Rare Enthusiasm in The Last Few Weeks. This 21-year-old Open-Faced, Broad-Shouldered and Straight-Talking Finn Is a Rising Star, Has Phenomenal Talent and Will Almost Certainly Have A Flock of Following Him Around For Months and Years to Come, Whatever Anyone May Try To do about it. In Short, AS Frank Williams Has Recently Admitted, He Is The Newcomer to Have Made The Biggest Impression SO Far in the 2001 Season.
Yet, to Meet Him Is To Meet A Shy, Bashful and Endearingly unsophisticated Young Man with Few Cares in The World Apart from The Performance of His Sauber Petronas Car. Speed, Reliability and Drivability Are The Keystones of His Life. And The Rest of IT All Is Taken in His Stride with a Slow Grin. HE IS NOT Used to Big Crowds, Noisy Cities or Polluted RaceTracks. HE IS Used to Wide Open Spaces and Nature All Around Him Close to His Native Espoo in Finland. But Nobody Would Ever Know. HE JUST EATS IT ALL UP WITH A VENGEANCE.
"Formula One Is Easier Than I Expected IT to Be," He Said At Imola. "I WAS WORRIED AT FIRST, MORE NERVOUS THAN UPSET. But It isn't So Bad. I am Getting Used to IT Now. Maybe The Worst Thing Was Just The Start and Getting Used To Things. Whe WE WERE TOLD 'NO GIRLFRIENDS' IT WAS A BIT OF A FUSS, YOU KNOW. But, I Am Not Bothered Now by The Rules, The Are Not Against ME. If i Want to Bring My Girlfriend Here Now, I CAN. There Are No Special Races. And about the superlicence to Drive in Formula One - I Don't Think About It. IT is not a worry. THEY WILL CHECK IT, THEY ARE JUST RULES - NOT A PROBLEM. "
In Speech, Raikkonen Wastes Nothing. Words Come Sparingly. HE TALKS AS He Drives, with Controlled Precision. Speed \u200b\u200bis gained by The Lack of Fuss. The Message IS Communicated and He Is Ready for The Next Question. IS Not Like Talking to Keke Rosberg, Not Quite Yet, But There Is Something of All Finns In this Young man with His Steady Gaze, Steady Hands and Outrageous Level Of Ability. No Wonder Peter Sauber IS Smiling All The Way to Maranello for His Next Batch of Customer Engines from Ferrari. His Only Real Beef, In The Circumstances, Will Be That The New Finnish Superstar May Also End Up in A Scarlet Machine, Perhaps As Michael Schumacher's Next Change of Partner.
However, Confusion Still Reigns Over The Conclusion of Raikkonen's ProBation Period After The Young Finn Was Voted Into Formula One Before Start Of The Season, Despite His Very Limited Experience, And He Is Currently Racing On A Provisional Superlicence. Before Start of The Season's Team, Said That The Young Star's Superlicence Would be under the Season in San Marino, But With That Over, The Fia Have Remained QUIET On The Matter, And No-One Connected With The Young Star Has Been Contacted.
The FIA \u200b\u200bRegulations State Tarat Every New Driver Recamentes His Superlicence On A Probationary Period of One Year, But Raikkonen Received His License Under Exceptional Circumstances. The Governing Body Have Confirmed That This Means He Will Have His Performance Reviewed After Every Three Monhs During His First Grand Prix Year, But Could Not Reveal When The Superlicence Was Issued. HOWEVER, A SPOKESPERSON CONFIRMED IT IS EXTREMELY UNLIELY THAT THE LICENSE Would be Taken Away Considering Raikkonen's Superb Performances During The Season So Far, and Added That The Probation Automatically Continues Unless There Any Problems.
But at this Time of His Career, Raikkonen Is Not Conservned by The Supposed UNCERTAINTY OF HIS Future and He Is More Interested in Learning Circuits, People's Names and Other Drivers' Good and Bad Habits. "Yes, This is My First Time Here, I'Ve Never Been Here Before," He Confirmed in Imola, At The Autodromo Enzo E Dino Ferrari. "I THINK IT IS QUITE A NICE CIRCUIT. And for me it is nice to be back in europe Again. The Circuit IS Good. Uphill and Downhill Which Is Interesting. I Like IT. I LIKED BRAZIL QUITE A LOT. But The Are All Different. SO FAR, I Have Liked Them All And They Have All Been New!
"IT Makes No Difference To Me That We Have Ferrari Engines. IT Means Nothing With Me Or The Italian Crowd. I am Just Driving The Same As Anywhere. I FEEL BETTER, NOW, OF COURSE, THAN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. I Have more Confidence. Then I Was Unsure What It Was Going to Be Like in Formula One. NOW, I KNOW. THERE ARE NO SURPRISES I THINK. I know a Little Bit Now. You are Always Learn Something Every Time You Go in The Car and You Go Quicker Every Time. NOW, FOR ME, IT IS Getting Better Because I Am Learning More Things All The Time. I am More Used to IT and I Am Getting Faster and Better, I Think.
"Of the 17 Circuits for this year, I Have Only Driven At Barcelona, \u200b\u200band at the Silverstone - But Only on the Half Circuit and Magny-Cours in Testing. No others. NOT MONZA. But i Think I Learn Quickly. I Have no Special System. I Just Go Easy At First And The Best Thing IS to Have Someone Else That You Can Go Behind for a while. But of Course You Don't Always Get Any Help. I Haven't ASKED Anyone for Help AT ALL. I Slow Down If Someone Is Coming and They Are Quicker. Also I Find The In-Car Camera Is A Big Help When I Watch The Other Drivers.
"I Have Done A FEW RACES NOW, YES, But I Still Don't Really Know Anybody. Not Personally. Not The Other Drivers. IT is not like that. I know Mika A bit, of Course. HE TALKS TO ME SOMETIMES AT THE DRIVERS 'BRIEFING. We Have A Little Talk. I Didn't Follow Him Particularly, But of Course I Remember WELL WELN HE STARTED IN FORMULA ONE. When Started to Go Racing, I HAD NO Idea That I Wanted to Go to Formula One. That Only Started for Me In The Last Two Years. And I Have Been Very Lucky to Have Good Management Behind Me - My Main Manager Is Steve Robertson.
"I Have Always Enjoyed Motorsport. WHEN I WAS Five Or Something, I Was Doing Moto-Cross and Things Like That. I LIKED IT. Yes, I Could Have Gone to Rallying, But i Didn't Because My Brother Was in Rallying. I WAS NOT Going to Do The Same As Him. My Older Brother and Me, We Were Both in Karts and Doing Ok. I Didn't Want To Copy Him. HE IS NEARLY TWO YEARS OLDER THAN ME AND HIS NAME IS RAMI. I DON'T Get Home Much. I Have Just Moved to Switzerland to Live in Hinwil. I Have Been There for Four Days Now. IT is good. I Have My Own Place and I Like It. But It's Difficult to Be There Very Long As We Are Always Away Somewhere. IT IS Something I Have To Get Used To ... "
Like Racing Among The Big Boys, Showing People That He Deserves Not Only A Superlicensense But to Be Among The Formula One Front-Runners, And That He Has The Talent to Go All the Way to the top.
Kimi Raikkonen at the same time was the most calm and most impressive rider. On the one hand, it was pursued by constant technical problems on the way to the top. But in such situations, he did not lose his mental balance and worked hard with his mechanics. He was called "Kimster" ("Kimi-Master") and there was a reason - despite the few, he could constantly explain what and how wrong. On the other hand, the same problems were often discarded down the lattice, and then his second side was manifested. On his account, many Cambaks for which he was worthy of limitless respect. But everything began with a large Blat Stay, and in 2001 The year no one understood how Finn would be able to claim something in the royal class. Fortunately, Kimi acquitted confidence and, unfortunately, while Raikkonen's racing road turned to another path.
Miracles on the virats
Kimi Matias Raikkonen was born on October 17 1979 of the year in Espoo, suburb Helsinki. The family did not bathe in the money, but the parents all the time hard worked to provide their sons a good future. Kimi, together with his elder brother, the Rami from an early age was loved to chase on the motorcycles, and the success of them did not cost them. But when Icemen turned 10 years old, their ways were separated. Rami was more interested in rally races, but Kimi Matthias took a step towards races with open wheels. To satisfy the desires of the younger Son, the parents refused to repair the planned and bought cards. With this little machine, Kimi quickly became friends and began to wrap circles in the younger series of Finland. He was a completely sporty person and the success in school did not threaten. For example, he used his student backpack instead of sanok on various hills, and then disappeared on the rink, where he dug in hockey.
At the age of 16, Raikkonen graduated from school and began to work as a mechanic, so as not to part with the world of motors. But very soon I realized that he would lose his congenital talent of the rider. Therefore, his family helped focus all attention on races. IN 1998 The Icemen won the first race in Norway, and next year she took second place in the European Championships in the Formula Super A. series. Such success sent it to England, where he began to act in Formula Renault. Kimi MiG conquered the tops of the new series. At first he won the Winter Championship in 1999 The year, and next year, the main trophy of the British formula-Renault was submitted. Finally 2000 The year in his asset there were only 23 races, but the world was sacrificed with the news that he wants to sign a contract Zauber. Kimi spent shiny tests in Muyndella, but everything rested in the fact that he had no superlice. Max Mosley did not hide that he was against the performances of Finn in Formula 1, but, nevertheless, Raikkonen made an exception, and he began to prepare for the first stage 2001 - year.
Step to genius
A trip to Australia was for Kimi first, which he made outside Europe. But such a long pilot did not take one of the main qualities, the rapid study of the new route. FINNU has enough only five laps to find his trajectory and he gave out a great Grand Prix. Finn started the 13th and thanks to several overtakers made his way into the sixth place. Nick Haifeld, the young colleague on the team, was higher than him, but the shoulders of German was the season in Formula 1 and the championship in the younger series. The season for both has developed like - a small advantage was still on the side of Nick, but in the end I won Kimi.
For Raikkonen, in the middle of the season, bosses of the McLaren team seized, who were looking for a replacement. Mika then announced about the break in his career, but never returned - maybe for now. At that time, Mika and Kimi have already become friends, although before 2001 years were not even familiar. Perhaps the two-time champion broke the interests of his compatriot somewhat, but it doesn't matter now - Kimi fully justified confidence and only miracles in several races were deprived of his victories and titles.
After leaving, the McLaren team fell into a kind of stupor. Neither Culthard nor Raikkonen was able to impose the struggle Ferrari and Williams and led the internecine struggle for the fifth place in the personal event. She won a more experienced Briton, but the performance of Kimi was left unnoticed. There was no victory in his service list that year, but the Grand Prix of France cannot describe statistics. For several laps to Finish, Kimi was in the leaders and ahead 
who was preparing ahead of time to win the fifth title for six races to the finish of the season. The German on that day was enough to the second place, so he did not teach a stubborn struggle, but the stars said his word here. In front of the stud "Adelaide" the engine exploded at Alan McNesh, and oil leaked occurred. This is exactly the fatal circumstance for the Finnish pilot, who slipped down and missed the lead. After that ill-fated second place, Kiima got another podium in Japan and became the sixth pilot in the championship.
Roller coaster
On the Grand Prix of Australia 2003
For years, Kimi spent one of the best races in his career. He failed to qualify - at the fast Circle Raikkonen made a mistake and he was forced to take the start from the 15th position. The bad starting position eventually helped him find the right decision before the race. The fact is that a few minutes before the start began to rain and everyone pereobulsya in rain rubber. So I did both Finn, but after the warm circle, he turned into the boxes and dressed the slick. The risk was justified - the track began to quickly squeeze and Raikkonen quickly improved his position until he was in the leaders. Everything was well for him, and he was perfectly lit by But all the efforts crossed out the penalty for the speed of speed on Pete Lane. After traveling on Pete Lane, it was on the eighth position, but now the problems of others helped him climb the third place.
The season began for health, but no one expected from Kimi that he would start to fight for the championship. At the second stage in Malaysia, Aisman won the first race in his career - and this is despite starting with the seventh position. Finn continued to fight for the title until the last race, but still lost . In his hands there was almost everything, but permanent starts from the middle of the lattice did not allow him to win the title. And the two sorts of kimi did not have to realize. At first, he burned the engine at the Grand Prix of Europe after 25 lap circles, and then lost to the full-time struggle to Michael in the United States.
Already in the third season, Kimi turned out to be incredibly close to the championship rank, but in many ways everything solved the experience . Now the necessary lessons should have learned the Finn himself and on time to implement them correctly. IN 2004
There was no such possibility. Mercedes Motors began to seriously freeze, and all the chances of the struggle were lost in the first half of the championship. At the eight starting stages, Raikkonen mined only one point and remained only to reach the championship, catching chances in individual races. One of these went to the spa where Kimi started from the 10th place and won the race. In the course of the racing Raikkonen in a beautiful struggle, the main competitors went and mined the only victory in the season, waiting for the lives of the technique.
It remained hopefully waiting for the next season and hope that the departures before the finish will be more. So in the end and it turned out - there were more of them, but not enough for victory. Finn won the second deafening defeat, which is difficult to look for - he had just tremendous bad luck. On the first Grand Prix of Australia, he should have started from the tenth position, but the situation was still aggravated when the engine stalled. Raikkonen started with Pete Lane, as and two years ago, and sneaked into the eighth place, giving way to the winner of 40 seconds.
Before the title is getting closer
In Malaysia, after Pete Stop Raikkonen immediately struck the wheel and was forced to repeat the procedure. Despite the fact that Kimi established the fastest circle, he was content with only the ninth place. In Bahrain, Kimi started the ninth and arrived on the podium, but went to San Marino. As a result, at the first four stages, Finn mined only seven glasses and lagged behind 
For as many as 29 points. The next stage was held in Spain, and urgently needed to strike on the territory of the opponent. This time the solitaire fell asleep - Pole, and then a confident victory in the race. In Monaco Kimi still slightly reduced the gap, but he received a strongest psychological blow to Nürgring. Raikkonen led to the race, but in one of the moments there was a circular and got a slow puncture.
Fernando It was not far, and the Maclaren team decided to take a chance - to go to the victory with the risk of puncture. The car due to these problems was experiencing heavy loads, but still kimi on the last circle left the leader. And after a few hundred meters, Raikkonen graduated from the race. The front suspension did not stand the hard braking before the first turn and broke - Finn flew into the security zone, and To his victory. The gap between the two pilots was again enormous and was not psychologically not played. Intrigue, however, Kimi managed to save to the Grazilian Grand Prix, but on the fact the championship he lost even earlier. And again such a failure was replaced by a clean failure of both Kimi and McLaren.
IN 2006
The year the role of Sauron and Gendalf White was divided among themselves Ferrari and Reno, and the others were content with small battles for places on the podium. Kimi won in this "small" battle - he fell into the first three of them six times and got fifth place in the personal event. By tradition, Icemen had to fight the title in Maklaren again, but in the end it turned out a little differently. Raikkonen before the start of the season 2007
The year went to Ferrari and signed a contract for a record salary - 51 million dollars. But before Finn, there was a task not only to work out this money, but also to replace who temporarily, as it turned out, committed to races. At the beginning of the season, he finally began to get started. At the first three stages, he mined the victory and twice came the second - a wonderful individual result, but the rivals did not lag behind. The terrible battle was all pilots from McLaren and Ferrari and took turns from each other to the victory.
All Grand Prix in the season shared these pilots among themselves, but in the course of a kind of advantage owned 
Hamilton. Briton was the best in additional indicators and eventually turned out to be the main favorite. It was only necessary to prevent the mistakes that he did. For two stages, the Finish of the Championship Kimi lagged behind Lewis on 17 points and became the champion. Finn won two races, and at this time his both opponent from McLaren behind him on one point. All the failures of Raikkonen in the past were compensation, and Finn completely deserved it. Perhaps this championship is fascinated against the background of those scandals that pursued the roller team, but Finn these problems should not worry. There were many cool riders who remained at the last moment overboard the list of champions and it's good that Raikkonen did not find themselves.
Calm
The next two seasons in Ferrari were not so successful. IN 2008 The year with the technique was all right, but in the failures of Finn, many vinyl himself. The surroundings of Kimi eaten his conversations that he lost the goal and he was not as interesting than the race. Perhaps it is these statements that prevented Raikkonenu, but the season he had a bad thing as for the operating world champion. Kimi got two victories and several times hit the podium, which was enough for the third position in the championship. Even Robert Kubitsa, who re-added sharply added with him, was tired of glasses, but the Pole had fewer victories. Such a result was supposed to give Finn additional forces and to force him again to prove everything, but here Ferrari was dried in the regulations. Scarlet were among the few who used Kers, but this development did not help them even at the most suitable moment.
At the first five stages, Kimi got three points, and in Monaco started the second for 
Button. It seemed that the victory at the start was to defeat Raikkonen, thanks to Kers, but he managed to even lose the position of Barrichello. Finn finished third and it was at that time the best result. Despite the unsuccessful start of the race, about Ferrari remembered and immediately forgotten until the stage in Hungary. This Grand Prix became key in the championship precisely for a stable from Maranello. Kimi finished second, but the Grand Prix was overshadowed by a terrible accident 
. The life of the Brazilian pilot was in the balance, but, to preleal happiness, everything cost. After this stage, Kimi managed to win the Spa, struggling with Physichella on Fortz India, but the fate of the last races of the season was predetermined.
The team stopped developing a car, not seeing special prospects, and Kimi went to the inertia championship, which was accompanied by rumors about his future. As a result, the page turned over when the world found out about the official early rupture of Ferrari's contract with Kimi. Finn began to look for a new job and found it in the Citroen-Junior team, which performs in the World Rally Championship. Of course, Finn had a chance to stay in Formula 1, but he wanted peace of mind.
Career in WRC.
In December 2009 Year Racer decided to spend the following year in WRC, signing on March 28 2010 Year contract with the Citroën Junior Team team.
Raikkonen finished on the 8th place in the third race of the season 2010 (Jordan Rally) and earned 4 points. Thus, he became the second rider in history after Carlos Roatem Man, who managed to earn points both in Formula 1 and in the World Rally Championships. According to the results of the championship, Kimi took the 10th place in the standings of pilots with 25 points on the account.
January 2 2011 There was information that Raikkonen can complete the sports career. The navigator of the Finnish rider Kai Lindstrus told the Finnish press that Kimi considers such an option after the death of his father, but on January 10, Raikkonen was registered as a participant in Sweden Rally 2011 .
Return to Formula 1
29th of November 2011 The Lotus team announced the signing of a two-year contract with Kimi Raikkonen for seasons 2012 -2013 .
At the end of November, it became known that Robert Kubica could not fully recover after the accident at the beginning of the season 2012 of the year. As a result, Kimi entered into a two-year contract with Lotus and will act as a combat pilot. His partner was the Romain of Grozhan, who already tried his hand in Formula 1 in 2009 year, but could not show a decent result.
January 23-24 conducted individual tests behind the wheel of the Renault R30 in Valencia on the Pirelli demonstration tires. After two years of lack of driving, Formula 1 was able to show a good pace.
In the first qualification of the season at the Grand Prix of Australia, Raikkonen because of his own mistake and misunderstanding with his team was able to show only the 18th time, but in the race, thanks to a good tempo and the openings, rivals finished on the 7th place, earning the first glasses in the season.
At the second stage of the season, the Grand Prix of Malaysia, Kimi showed in qualifying the 5th time, but due to the fine imposed after replacing the gearbox, started from the 10th position. Confidently speaking in difficult conditions for changing weather, Raikkonen finished on the 5th place. In addition, shortly before Finish, Finn showed the fastest racing circle.
IN 2012 By the end of the season, he became the only rider who finished in all on all the Grand Prix of the season.
In autumn 2013 years it became known that kimi in the season 2013 /2014 The years will become a pilot of the Ferrari team.