Raikkonen leaves F1 after an outstanding 19-year career

Raikkonen leaves F1 – Asked if there is anything else that he will miss from F1, Kimi Raikkonen said: “I think if one thing, maybe the racing, but there’s other racing series that are probably better, more fun for pure racing. So it’s impossible to say.”

Kimi Raikkonen has thanked the Formula 1 fraternity for its support as he prepares to move on to a new chapter of his life.

The most experienced driver in F1 history didn’t get a fairytale finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a braking issue forcing his Alfa Romeo C41 to retire before the midway point of the race, limping back to the pits after the failure had pitched him into the Turn 6 barriers.

Kimi Raikkonen says he is “happy to move to a normal life” after bowing out of Formula 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Raikkonen bid farewell to Formula 1 at the season-ending round at the Yas Marina Circuit, with his family present, but was forced out of the race after only 23 laps.

The retirement brought an end to a career that featured a record 349 starts, 21 victories and the 2007 world title.

“It’s been nice to see so many people showing their appreciation, even if the race didn’t go as we hoped,” said Raikkonen.

“We had an issue after the pit-stop, a technical problem that meant we finished earlier.

“That’s racing, sometimes things fail, but the result doesn’t influence how I feel about my career.

“I’m happy to move on to a normal life, I am looking forward to it. Of course, I will miss a lot of the great people I met over the years; 20 years have gone quickly, I made lots of memories, some good, some bad, and these are going to stay with me forever.”

Team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi, who is leaving Alfa Romeo and Formula 1, also failed to finish the race, marking his first early exit of the season.

“It’s a pity to end the season like this, the first DNF after a full season of finishing,” he said.

“It’s been an emotional day overall, seeing Kimi retire and seeing all the things the team did for us. He’s a great person, very fair and all of F1 will miss him.

“As for me, I hope this is just a ‘see you soon’: my full focus is now on Formula E, but I hope to be back next year. I’m happy with my journey, the way I progressed over the years, I gave everything I could.”

Raikkonen leaves f1 after an outstanding 19-year career Raikkonen leaves f1 after an outstanding 19-year career

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