We’ve seen him win at Brazil and become a world champion.
We’ve seen him clinch his first win in the past five years, ending a vacuum of 113 races at the USA.
We’ve also seen him stay ice cool and unresponsive to both- Hamilton’s admiration for him, “I used to play Raikkonen on the PlayStation” as well as his criticism about Silverstone’s opening lap fiasco in 2018.
In each of these dissimilar events, Kimi’s been the quite the enigma he usually is: simple, calm, but absolutely focused.
Yet, there is something indescribably exciting about Kimi Raikkonen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix- is it not?
It’s the season-ender at the electrifying and beautiful Yas Marina as the season draws to a close.
Here is Kimi Raikkonen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, about to race for one more time for the Scuderia. But this isn’t just any other race. It’s an alignment of fire with ice.
Kimi Raikkonen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is akin to witnessing a turf-war that upholds the dignity of a true gladiator. It’s done so in the past. There’s no reason to doubt that it might just do something special for a man responsible for 21 race wins, 103 podiums and 1 special triumph in the heart of the desert.
The 2007 World Champion wasn’t even driving for Ferrari when he became a pop idol of sorts for his exploits at the desert emirate.
Modern sport is identified by moments that are defined by sporting glory.
In the end, winning a special feat or earning a great victory becomes as important as the date when it was achieved.
For instance, 13 July 2014 will always be remembered for Germany winning the FIFA world cup. April 2004 will always remind cricket fans of the great feat accomplished by Brian Lara when he reclaimed his world record for striking Test Cricket’s highest individual score.
In that context, motorsport too will cherish a fine date, more like a date with history for one of its finest sons, Kimi Raikkonen.
It was 4 November 2012 when the Iceman kept his cool to turn up the heat at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Interestingly, as Kimi gets set for the qualifying battle and then, the race, one wonders what might play on his mind?
Would he be thinking about the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the famous scene of his win in his comeback season?
In the context of circuits where the Iceman has raced and collected a pantheon of globally-scattered fans, Abu Dhabi will probably be remembered as being Kimi’s sudden muse.
As the night safari is set to embrace live action, for a tumultuous period of a two-hour contest, running the course of 53 laps, it’s worthwhile to rewind back to the scene of the 2012 race.
Then, not in the famous reds, Raikkonen was covered in black and gold as he sat behind the V8-powered Lotus to overcome the Abu Dhabi challenge.
It hadn’t really been a great circuit for him.
Surely, as the qualifying was clinched by Hamilton, it didn’t really appear that this would be a Kimi-centric race, the Lotus having to embrace the challenge of Alonso in Ferrari while the blazing McLaren at the front seemed utterly in control.
But that was all going to change on Lap 20.
Encountering a sudden fuel pressure problem, Saturday’s pole sitter, Lewis Hamilton would pull his car to the side of the track. This meant that the Iceman would inherit the lead of the race. But while all of this would’ve ideally been easy, it was anything but that.
There was the faster Ferrari of El Nino breathing on Raikkonen’s tail. There were other stronger contenders all vying for the top spot, for instance, the recovering Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel who had to contend with making a few places in the start over the backmarkers beginning essentially from the end of the grid.
Later, on lap 23, Kimi blurted a classic
A man of few words, some that become bumper sticker expressions, some that give merchandisers hallmark T-shirt slogans, Raikkonen on this occasion uttered what can be called a classic in the pantheon of modern F1 racing.
When told to look after his four tyres and be alert for Alonso was in his side mirrors, the Iceman said, “Leave me alone, I know am doing.”
Unflustered and calm, despite having to keep up his pace against Alonso’s and maintain the trye pressure despite waning track temperatures, Raikkonen was at his best.
If the Ferraris and Red Bulls seemed in contention, then so did a darkhorse of F1 racing that year: Lotus Renault.
That was way back in 2012. What do we see today?
Six years on, that classic Kimi expression is still revered. It’s more than just sudden rabble that came to life at the heat of the moment. It’s the profile picture of many fans on Facebook.
It’s sold brands, made a fortune for e-commerce retailers and, given Raikkonen’s fans a lot to celebrate the man.
Darn, there’ve been phone covers and keychains that bear the expression.
It’s also given his critics, who long gave up on him, something to chew on.
The funny thing is, even when he could’ve dropped his anchor and accepted warmly the congratulatory wishes of D.C. on the podium, Raikkonen, said the following, unrepentant and in his swagger, “Last time you guys were giving me a lot of shit because I didn’t smile enough. Maybe, this time too. But am happy for the team.”
Huh!
Let’s not be too surprised about Kimi, a man, who has already said, “Why to feel sad if am leaving the team; we are still friends and can be in touch.”
Anyhow, as the Iceman looks to bow out in style from a team that’s given him a lot to cheer about and one for whom, the Finn has earned its last world title, can he do something special yet again?
Who knows?
Maybe, it’s sensible to leave him alone; he knows what he is doing.