Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen has announced he will hang up his helmet and gloves and call time on an illustrious Formula 1 career at the end of the 2021 season.
The Finnish driver is in his 19th season of F1 and has started more races than any other driver in the history of the sport with 341.
“This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1. This is a decision I did during last winter. It was not an easy decision but after this season it is time for new things.” wrote Raikkonen on Instagram.
“Even though the season is still on, I want to thank my family all my teams, everyone involved in my racing career and especially all of you great fans that have been rooting for me all this time.
“Formula 1 might come to an end for me but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy. See you around after all of this! Sincerely Kimi.” he added.
Raikkonen started his debut in 2001 with the Sauber team, he then spent five seasons with McLaren before joining Ferrari with whom he became World Champion in 2007.
The 41-year-old driver then turn to Rally for two seasons, before returning to F1 with the Lotus team in 2012. Raikkonen made his comeback at Ferrari in 2014 for whom he drove until the end of the 2018 season for finally join the Sauber-Alfa Romeo team.
Raikkonen retirement will allow fellow Valtteri Bottas to continue his career next year, as Mercedes has chosen George Russell for the 2022 season alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Alfa Romeo admitted that they will make announcement of the arrival of Bottas at Monza next week.
