Kimi Raikkonen is one of the most popular Formula 1 drivers of the modern era – partially for his deadpan sense of humour and off-track attitude.
The Finn, who won the Drivers’ Championship with Ferrari in 2007, isn’t exactly known for his love of interviews or his preference of giving long answers.
Instead, he prefers to get directly to the point. Raikkonen lets his racing on track do the talking, and everything else is mainly a distraction.
Kimi Raikkonen won 21 races in Formula 1 and secured 103 podiums. He won one world title, a figure which could stand at two had his 2005 season with McLaren not been dogged by reliability problems.
The Finn called time on his career at the end of the 2021 season. The 42-year-old had two separate stints in Formula 1. He spent the final three years of his career driving for Alfa Romeo.
Read: Kimi Raikkonen ‘predicted’ Formula 1 retirement before 2021 season began
Speaking to Autosport, Raikkonen has reflected on a long and successful career. Formula 1 fans will miss the presence of ‘The Iceman’ in the paddock this year – and the great soundbites he comes out with.
Raikkonen on why fans like him
The Finn’s trademark style has earned him a litany of fans over the years. Kimi Raikkonen is one of the most entertaining drivers in Formula 1, both on and off the track.
Answering a question about his popularity, the former world champion could not explain why people like him so much.
He said: “I don’t know why they like me. Maybe because I am what I am. Consistently odd or weird, or whatever you call it.
“It’s normal for me, but for outside, maybe not for everybody. But I’ve done it exactly on my own terms, most of the way anyway.”
Raikkonen’s career path
The Finn has indeed completed his career in his way.
At the end of the 2009 season, Kimi Raikkonen decided to take a break from Formula 1 and participate in the World Rally Championship. The foray resulted in some successes; he recorded a stage win and a top-five finish in the 2010 Rally of Turkey.
He also spent time in NASCAR, participating in the Camping World Trucks Series and Nationwide Series that run alongside the main Sprint Cup Series.
The Finn returned to Formula 1 in 2012 with Lotus, from which he embarked on another remarkable journey.
The sport, and its fans, will miss Kimi Raikkonen in 2022 – there is no other driver that can bring fans together quite like him.
Featured Image Credit: Getty