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A day I have never wanted to come... Kimi Raikkonen is officially retiring from Formula 1.

I have followed Kimi since I started watching Formula 1 (since I could stand as high as the TV stand), I became a supporter of his specifically coming into the 2013 season. Kimi is one of the truly great racing drivers, not just Formula 1 but all motorsports. Kimi has an F1 history that follows as:
2001: Sauber
2002 - 2006: McLaren
2007 - 2009, 2014 - 2018: Ferrari
2012 - 2013: Lotus
2019 - 2021: Alfa Romeo Sauber

Kimi during his first stint with Ferrari became world champion in 2007, just his opening year with the Tifosi. He took the crown beating Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, both by just a single point! Kimi also came very close to another two titles with McLaren in his pre-Ferrari era of Formula 1. In 2003 he did not have a fast car, despite this though he took Michael Schumacher to the final race of the season in the title. Just like Juan Pablo Montoya however (who was racing in a very competitive, BMW powered Williams car), Kimi fell short of the 2003 title. In 2005 he was again in with a realistic chance of being the world champion, this time fighting it out with Fernando Alonso (at the time of Renault). Kimi again however would fall just short, the McLaren reliability just wasn't on the side of Finn. On his returning season to Formula 1 Kimi had another chance at the title, though it was only mathematically possible and not realistically possible. Kimi scored very consistent points finishes and podiums to take his and Lotus' title hopes to the third to final round in the UAE.

As for my favourite moments, Kimi has so many I couldn't name them all within the video. I will never forget him telling his team engineer "Shut up, I know what I'm doing" when asked to warm the tires whilst behind the safety car in UAE, 2012. A practice crash at the 2013 South-Korean Grand Prix lead to more media comedy. When asked "What happened out there today Kimi? Problems on track for you and the others as a result", Kimi simply replied "I spun. I don't care about the others". Truly a man of many words XD. Taking that win in Japan, 2005 was truly something special in the history of Formula 1. A tricky and wet qualifying caught out many of the top driver, Kimi as a result only managed to qualify 17th. During the race Kimi fought almost the entire grid to take the lead on the final lap, passing Renault driver Gincarlo Fisichella to take the win for him and McLaren. The 2018 USA Grand Prix was special too, not just his last win in Formula 1, but also breaking the record for the most number of races completed between Grand Prix win.

As we can all see, Kimi Raikkonen really is one of the greatest racing drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. He is a man of few words, but his race craft does the talking. A Finnish hero, but also a global hero to many. Thank you for all the magically years making us smile, laugh, put our heads in hands, and gasp Kimi, you will be greatly missed.