It was 3 years ago: Kimi Räikkönen’s last victory in F1

When Räikkönen joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2007, the year of his title, and then a second time in 2014, it’s hard to imagine that the Australian Grand Prix in 2013 would remain the Finnish driver’s last victory for five long years, spanning 113 races.

While many imagined that Iceman would give Alonso a hard time (his teammate at the time) and would immediately fight for a second title, it didn’t happen. Räikkönen seemed completely lost behind the wheel of his Ferrari F14-T. Certainly, the Scuderia, which had completely missed its transition to the new hybrid V6 engines, could not compete for victory on a regular basis (and very rarely for podiums) that season. But while Alonso fought tooth and nail to make the most of his car (the Spaniard would secure the team’s only two podiums), Kimi went through 2014 like a ghost. The Finn suffered terribly from the cruel lack of front-end grip in his car (an essential element to make the most of Räikkönen) and seemed unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Certainly, there were moments when the Finn was faster than Alonso, but these were often accompanied by his eternal bad luck, as in Monaco where Max Chilton’s Marussia punctured his tire under safety car conditions while the Finn was on his way to a podium finish.

Räikkönen is joined by his friend Sebastian Vettel the following season at Scuderia. Together, they steer Ferrari back on track (except for the slight dip in 2016), making the team a contender for the title from 2017 onwards. The legendary Italian team rediscovers the joys of victory, but none are obtained by the number 7. Kimi regains his speed, a little more each year, and steps onto the podium, but the top spot remains out of reach. Sometimes, that famous victory seems within reach (especially in 2017), but each time, it slips away from him in one way or another, like in Monaco where he endures a questionable strategy while leading, in Hungary where Ferrari prevents him from extending his stint to take the lead from Vettel (who had a slight issue with his steering wheel), or in Malaysia where his car suffers a mechanical failure even before the race starts.

At the dawn of the 2018 season, Räikkönen’s place within the Scuderia hangs by a thread. The former star of McLaren and Lotus had indeed received a warning from Ferrari’s President at the time: Sergio Marchionne. Here is what the Italian had declared during the team’s traditional Christmas dinner. « My personal opinion is that if we find the right key, Räikkönen drives like a god. But we have to find it. When things are going well, it’s a pleasure to watch him drive, he has incredible composure. But at other times, it seems like he’s taking a break. I think it would be a shame if he had to leave F1 without showing his true potential ». Marchionne also added « I think that if we do not find the key for Räikkönen, the choice will be for a young driver ».

However, in 2018, Kimi leads the charge. The Finnish driver (always struck by issues when he finds himself in a good position as in Bahrain, Spain or Belgium) scores eight podium finishes before the Monza Grand Prix, some front row starts in qualifying but above all, Räikkönen is consistently in the mix throughout the season. Despite this campaign being much better than the previous ones, Ferrari’s management decide to remain faithful to the plans of their late president (Sergio Marchionne passing away in the middle of summer) by appointing a young talent, for the 2019 season, in the form of Charles Leclerc.

Not destabilized by the fact that the Scuderia shows him the exit door for the second time (Kimi having already been forced to leave the team at the end of 2009), Räikkönen follows up with a new podium in Italy in front of the tifosi after securing his first pole position since Monaco the previous season. Once again, the victory that was his slips away from him with just eight laps to go.

After some ordinary races for the Finn (and for Ferrari), the F1 world begins its Texan weekend on Friday, October 19, 2018. However, on that day, the F1 cars are hardly running due to rainy conditions, so only the third free practice session on Saturday morning would allow drivers and their teams to prepare for the Grand Prix. In this context where track time is minimal, a driver’s experience can make a difference, which might not be insignificant for the rest.

Initially qualified third, Räikkönen finally starts on the front row following a penalty that pushes Vettel back to fifth place. Kimi (who starts with softer tyres than his competitors) takes the lead from Lewis Hamilton right from the first corner. Iceman will not give up the lead of the race, except during pit stops. That day, neither Ricciardo’s retirement at the beginning of the Grand Prix, which shifted Mercedes’ strategy, nor Hamilton’s attacks (and Verstappen, very threatening at the end of the race) will prevent Räikkönen from winning his 21st victory in Formula 1 (making him the most successful Finn in the top category of motorsport) after more than five years of waiting (a record). On the radio, there is relief, even for this man who rarely breaks the ice. This success will be signed on October 21st, a symbolic date as eleven years earlier, Kimi won the championship on the same day with Ferrari.

His end of season will be just as solid. Abu Dhabi aside (as Räikkönen once again retires due to a mechanical failure), Iceman will have scored 105 points from Monza onwards, compared to Vettel’s 90, who will continue to spin in races (in Italy, Japan, and the USA). He will conclude his farewell tour with the Scuderia in third place in the championship, having achieved 12 podiums just like his four-time world champion teammate.

Three years later, does Kimi still have a chance to shine this weekend in Austin?

Behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo, now, the chances for the Finn to perform as well as in 2018 are nil in normal circumstances. But a new feat (without mentioning a victory or a podium in a regular way) on this circuit would be a great story. Moreover, what could be better than the United States to aim higher and see things on a larger scale?