Kimi Räikkönen

Finnish Formula 1 driver known as 'The Iceman' for his calm demeanor. 2007 World Champion with Ferrari, famous for minimal radio communication.

Kimi-Matias Räikkönen was born on 17 October 1979 in Espoo, Finland, and spent his childhood in a house built by his great-grandfather, his parents working as a road builder and office clerk to support him and his older brother, Rami. He began karting at ten, quickly winning national titles despite dramatic setbacks, including once continuing to race after his steering wheel came off entirely, frantically waving it at his mechanic. Räikkönen was fast-tracked into Formula One by Sauber in 2001 after just 23 car races in his entire career, a decision that sparked considerable debate given his inexperience; he silenced critics by finishing sixth on his Grand Prix debut. He moved to McLaren in 2002, finishing runner-up in the World Championship in both 2003 and 2005. Räikkönen, nicknamed "the Iceman" for his famously terse, unbothered public demeanour, moved to Ferrari in 2007 and won the World Championship in his very first season with the team, overturning a 17-point deficit with two races remaining to snatch the title by a single point over Lewis Hamilton in one of the most dramatic conclusions in the sport's history. Räikkönen went on to compete in the World Rally Championship between 2009 and 2011 before returning to Formula One with Lotus and Ferrari, finishing his career with Alfa Romeo in 2021. His 21 Grand Prix wins remain the most by any Finnish driver in the sport's history, across a 19-season career renowned as much for his blunt honesty as his sustained speed.

Aggressive wheel-to-wheel racer with exceptional car control

One of fastest drivers ever, known for minimal radio communication

• F1 World Champion 2007
• Race wins 21
• Oldest race winner at 43 (Abu Dhabi 2018)