Kimi Raikkonen has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season.
Raikkonen, 41, joined the sport in 2001 with Sauber, before switching to McLaren the following year, spending five years at the Woking-based squad.
He enjoyed considerable success at McLaren, finishing second in the Drivers’ Championship in 2003 and 2005.
In 2007, the Finn switched to Ferrari and became world champion in his first campaign with the famed outfit.
Raikkonen left Ferrari and F1 at the end of 2009 to pursue racing projects elsewhere, but returned in 2012 with Lotus, before making a comeback to Ferrari for 2014.
At the 2018 United States Grand Prix, one of his final races with the Italian squad, Raikkonen took his 21st race victory, which to this day remains his final in the sport.
In 2019, he moved to Alfa Romeo Racing, where he has spent the last three seasons.
Raikkonen highlighted that he took the decision to walk away from F1 at the end of the 2021 campaign several months ago.
“This will be my last season in Formula 1,” Raikkonen wrote on social media. “This is a decision I did during last winter.
“It was not an easy decision but after this season it is time for new things. Even though the season is still on, I want to thank my family, all my teams, everyone involved in my racing career, and especially all of you great fans that have been rooting for me all this time.
“Formula 1 might come to an end but for me there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy. See you around after all of this. Sincerely, Kimi.”
Raikkonen currently holds the record for the most grands prix entered, with his tally sitting on 344 and counting.
Across his 20 years in the sport, he has achieved 21 victories, 18 pole positions, 103 podiums and one world championship.
Raikkonen’s impending exit paves the way for compatriot Valtteri Bottas to take his Alfa Romeo seat for 2022, in turn freeing the Mercedes spot for George Russell.
This is already old news. Bottas taking his seat because Russell to Mercedes. Also Albon to Williams and Nick Devries to partner Bottas at Alfa Romeo. 🏁