Raikkonen signals Ferrari will be his final F1 team
Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, has indicated he will end his Formula One career at Ferrari, bringing a two-decade journey through the sport towards its close.
Kimi Raikkonen has stated that he does not intend to drive for another Formula One team after his current spell at Ferrari, effectively confirming that his F1 career will end with the Scuderia. The Finn, who was 34 at the time of the announcement, made clear during the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend in March 2014 that he has no plans to move elsewhere in the paddock.
Raikkonen’s Formula One journey began with Sauber in 2001, when he entered the championship as a 21-year-old with only a single season of car racing to his name. He quickly established himself as a frontrunner at McLaren, taking multiple race victories before moving to Ferrari, where he secured the 2007 world championship. His first stint at Ferrari ended in 2009, when he was released from his contract a year early. Raikkonen then left F1 for two years, competing in the World Rally Championship and making several NASCAR appearances.
Return to F1 and Ferrari
Raikkonen returned to Formula One with Lotus in 2012, where he immediately impressed with his pace and consistency. His performances earned him a return to Ferrari for the 2014 season, this time as team-mate to Fernando Alonso. Despite the sport’s rapid technical changes and the arrival of a new generation of drivers, Raikkonen remained the oldest on the grid and one of its most experienced.
Raikkonen’s statement came as little surprise within the paddock, given his previous comments about not wishing to prolong his career indefinitely or seek further moves. He stressed his satisfaction at returning to Ferrari, suggesting that the team’s environment and his own priorities had changed since his earlier exit. The Finn’s approach has consistently been to avoid the media circus and focus on racing, and he gave no indication of reconsidering his decision.
Legacy and impact
Raikkonen’s decision to finish his career at Ferrari means the Italian team will bookend his time at the top of the sport. His 2007 title remains Ferrari’s most recent drivers’ championship. For fans and for Ferrari, his return was seen as a chance to recapture some of that past success, though the team was facing stiff competition from Mercedes and Red Bull in the new turbo-hybrid era.
- Debut: 2001 with Sauber
- McLaren: 2002–2006 (9 wins)
- Ferrari: 2007–2009 (2007 world champion)
- Lotus: 2012–2013 (2 wins)
- Ferrari: 2014 onward
Raikkonen’s straightforward confirmation of his plans gave Ferrari clarity as it looked to rebuild. For the driver himself, the focus remained on enjoying his final years in the sport rather than chasing further moves or titles at any cost.
