(Motorsports news) The ever present man on the Formula 1 paddock, Kimi Raikkonen retires after spending 20 years in the sport. The IceMan like people refer to him has been the most fearless driver that F1 has ever seen. One of the most iconic names in F1 history has established a cult of fan following since he started racing for Sauber in 2001, his career has spanned over two decades and the very thought of him not being on the grid next year sure brought an end to an amazing era.

At his peak Kimi was unbeatable and the outright fastest driver on the grid, he won 21 races in the 2000s with his first being with Mclaren and then Ferrari. His best ever season was arguably when he won his only world championship in 2007 with the Prancing Horses after being selected to succeed the great Michael Schumacher. The 2007 world championship is regarded as one of the greatest ever comebacks in F1 history as Raikkonen was overhauled by his then championship rivals Lewis Hamilton and his Mclaren teammate Fernando Alonso, he was 7 points behind heading into the final race of the season and was practically out of the championship race. The Brazilian Grand Prix sprung the most unexpected events as he not only won the race but took the World Championship by one point.

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Over the years Raikkonen has raced for Sauber, Mclaren, Ferrari and Lotus. His return back to Ferrari in 2014 was heavily criticised considering his age and also being out of the sport for 2 years but like the legend he is, he proved his doubters wrong and went onto become Vettel's partner in crime for 4 successful years. His last victory came in 2018 in Austin aged 39 when he held off Lewis Hamilton for a famous victory. Kimi also broke the Rubens Barrichello record of 322 race starts last year at the French GP.

Currently Raikkonen has 341 races under his name and with 10 more races to go he will surely hold this record for a long time. Raikkonen is probably Mr Formula one, a career that has spanned for two decades in such a high intensity sport is not a matter of joke. He will surely be missed by the fans and more than his racecraft, the sheer determination and having no fear is what fans fell in love with.