Kimi Räikkönen's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Kimi Räikkönen.

Kimi Räikkönen, a Finnish racing driver nicknamed "the Iceman," competed in Formula One from 2001-2021 and the World Rally Championship from 2009-2011. He secured the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2007 while driving for Ferrari. Throughout his Formula One career, spanning 19 seasons, Räikkönen won a total of 21 Grands Prix, establishing himself as a prominent figure in motorsports.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: F1's Oldest race winner

In 2018, Räikkönen won the United States Grand Prix, becoming, at 39, F1's oldest race winner since Nigel Mansell in 1994.

1998: Nordic Championship Win

In 1998, Kimi Räikkönen won the Nordic Championship at Varna in Norway.

2000: British Formula Renault Championship Win

In 2000, Kimi Räikkönen dominated the British Formula Renault Championship with Manor.

2003: First Grand Prix Victory

In 2003, Kimi Räikkönen achieved his maiden victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix and finished runner-up to Michael Schumacher in the championship by two points.

2005: Runner-Up in the Championship

In 2005, Kimi Räikkönen won seven Grands Prix and finished runner-up to Fernando Alonso.

2005: Victory and Challenges

In 2005, Kimi Räikkönen won the Canadian Grand Prix due to Alonso's mistake. However, all Michelin teams withdrew from the United States Grand Prix for safety reasons. At the French Grand Prix, he finished second, and at the British Grand Prix, he claimed third place despite an engine failure.

2006: Räikkönen Robertson Racing Success

In 2006, Räikkönen's British Formula 3 Championship team, Räikkönen Robertson Racing, saw their driver Mike Conway win the British F3 International Series title and the Macau Grand Prix.

November 2007: Räikkönen Confirmed as 2007 Champion After FIA Appeal Rejection

In November 2007, Kimi Räikkönen's 2007 Formula One Drivers' Championship title was confirmed after the FIA Court of Appeal rejected McLaren's appeal regarding alleged fuel irregularities in other cars. This confirmed the race results, securing Räikkönen's championship win.

2007: World Drivers' Championship Win with Ferrari

In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen moved to Ferrari, secured six victories, and won the World Drivers' Championship, beating Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

2007: Wins 2007 Formula One Drivers' Title

In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen won the Formula One Drivers' Championship by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. He overtook Hamilton at the start, and later Massa, ultimately securing the victory and the championship by a single point over Hamilton and Alonso.

2007: Formula One World Championship Win

In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with Ferrari.

2007: Second Victory of the Season in France

In 2007, during the French Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen qualified third, overtook Hamilton at the first corner, and ultimately secured his second victory of the season after overtaking his teammate Massa during pit stops. This marked his 11th Formula One career victory and Ferrari's first 1–2 win of the 2007 season.

2007: Won the championship with Ferrari

In September 2013, it was confirmed that Räikkönen had agreed a two-year deal to return to Ferrari, where he won the championship in 2007, starting from 2014.

January 2008: Second place in Finnish Sports Personality of the Year award

In January 2008, Räikkönen finished second to Tero Pitkämäki in the Finnish Sports Personality of the Year award.

2008: Pole and Race Win at Spanish Grand Prix

In 2008, Kimi Räikkönen secured his first pole position of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, later winning the race and setting the fastest lap. He surpassed Mika Häkkinen in the number of fastest laps and podium finishes, becoming the highest-ranked Finnish driver in these statistics.

2008: First Race Win of 2008 Season at Malaysian Grand Prix

In 2008, after a disappointing first race in Australia, Räikkönen won his first race of the season at the Malaysian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen. His victory in Kuala Lumpur came on the fifth anniversary of his maiden victory at the same track. He also secured the lead in the championship after finishing second in Bahrain.

2008: Win at Chinese Grand Prix

In 2008, at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, Räikkönen dominated the weekend and won the race after Hamilton retired due to sliding into a gravel trap. This was Räikkönen's fifth win of the season. It also marked Ferrari's 200th race win and 600th podium in a World Championship event as a manufacturer. He moved to seven and three points behind Hamilton and Alonso in the Drivers' Championship, respectively.

2009: Victory in Belgian Grand Prix

In 2009, Kimi Räikkönen won the Belgian Grand Prix before leaving Formula One.

April 2010: First WRC points at the Jordan Rally

On 3 April 2010, Kimi Räikkönen scored his first WRC points after finishing eighth in the Jordan Rally, becoming the second driver after Carlos Reutemann to score championship points in both Formula One and the World Rally Championship.

September 2010: First rally win at Rallye Vosgien

On 18 September 2010, Kimi Räikkönen achieved his first rally win when he participated in the Rallye Vosgien 2010 in France, winning all six stages in the asphalt rally.

November 2012: Wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

On 4 November 2012, Kimi Räikkönen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Lotus F1 team, marking their first win since 1987. Despite Alonso's pressure, Räikkönen secured the victory after Hamilton's retirement. He finished the season third in the standings.

March 2013: Wins Australian Grand Prix

In March 2013, Kimi Räikkönen won the Australian Grand Prix from seventh place with a two-stop strategy. He also set the fastest lap of the race. Later in Malaysia, he finished seventh after a car damage at the start.

June 2013: Breaks Schumacher's record

On June 30, 2013, at the British Grand Prix, Räikkönen finished in the points for the 25th consecutive race, breaking Michael Schumacher's record. He finished fifth but believed second place could have been possible.

2013: First podium since the 2013 Korean Grand Prix

In 2015, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Räikkönen recorded his first podium since the 2013 Korean Grand Prix for Lotus. He mentioned that he was hopeful in winning races in the near future after the team's strong recovery relative to 2014.

2014: Recovery relative to 2014

In 2015, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Räikkönen finished second after gaining that position late in the race. Räikkönen said that he was hopeful in winning races in the near future after the team's strong recovery relative to 2014.

2016: Improved Qualifying Performances

During the 2016 season, Räikkönen showed greatly improved qualifying performances, out-qualifying teammate Vettel 11–10.

2018: Final Career Win and Third in Championship

In 2018, during his last season with Ferrari, Kimi Räikkönen achieved his final career win at the United States Grand Prix, a record 114 races after his previous, and clinched third in the championship.