2007 Formula 1 World Champion Raikkonen was out of contract with Alfa Romeo at the end of the year and is widely expected to leave the team.
The Finn has now confirmed that he will leave Formula 1 at the end of the season to start a career in the series that has spanned over 20 years.
Raikkonen revealed the news on Instagram on Wednesday evening ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend in Zandvoort.
“That’s it. It will be my last season in Formula 1,” said Raikkonen.
“That is a decision I made last winter. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after this season it’s time for something new.
“Even if the season is still running, I would like to thank my family, all my teams, everyone who was involved in my racing career, and above all all the great fans who have supported me all along.
“Formula 1 may be over for me, but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy. See you after all of this! Sincerely, Kimi. “
Raikkonen’s resignation opens a coveted seat at Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season, which is expected to be occupied by current Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, should he be replaced by George Russell for next year.
Alfa Romeo has yet to confirm whether Raikkonen’s team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi will return for next season after driving an unchanged line-up for the past three years.
Raikkonen made his F1 debut at Sauber in 2001 as a relatively unknown racing driver who had moved up from Formula Renault, but scored points on his debut and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young talents on the grid.
Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren Mercedes MP4-20 celebrates his victory
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Raikkonen replaced Mika Häkkinen in the 2002 season at McLaren and took his first win the following year when he finished second in the championship.
A move to Ferrari in 2007 earned his first world title, beating Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by a single point in a dramatic Brazil final, but he would struggle to reach such heights again.
After a two-year hiatus from Formula 1 in 2010 and 2011, Raikkonen immersed himself in other ventures such as rallies and even NASCAR. It helped renew his passion for racing in F1, with Raikkonen for a long time recognizing the interruption as crucial to his long-term continuation of his career.
Raikkonen returned with Lotus in 2012 and took two wins for the team, but left the ailing team two races before the end of the 2013 season to undergo back surgery before returning to Ferrari.
After a slow start to life in Maranello, Raikkonen’s form gradually improved, paving the way for his first win in over five years at the 2018 United States Grand Prix on his way to third place in this year’s championship.
Ferrari’s decision to sign Charles Leclerc for 2019 resulted in Raikkonen returning to Sauber, where his F1 career began, albeit under the Alfa Romeo name.
He scored a best race result for the fourth-place team at Interlagos in 2019 but has not been more than ninth since after Alfa Romeo’s form deteriorated. So far this season, Raikkonen has scored two points and is 10th in both Azerbaijan and Hungary.
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