Alfa Romeo give Kimi a fitting factory send-off

With his retirement around the corner, Alfa Romeo have thrown a farewell party for Kimi Raikkonen at their Hinwil base.

Before the 2007 World Champion heads into the final two races of his Formula 1 career, the team hosted he and his family as they celebrated his success.

Raikkonen started in Formula 1 with Sauber in 2001, and he will finish his time in the sport with the same team as he completes a full circle in his career.

Alfa Romeo staff members formed a guard of honour for him as he stepped off the stage, and wore specially-designed shirts that honoured his achievements.

“Thank you everyone for a night to remember,” Raikkonen wrote on social media after the event. “Thank you everyone for all the years together. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for all the memories. You are good people. Sincerely, Kimi.”

You’ll always be missed ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pTCiBOmkqq

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) November 26, 2021

“What an emotional night,” wrote Raikkonen’s wife, Minttu, on Instagram. “I feel for everyone who will miss Kimi when he leaves the circuits and thank you for all the support and love for my husband through the years!

“Me and the kids are happy and grateful that he will be more at home after this season. A special thank you to everyone at [Alfa Romeo] for always being so warm and kind to me and our family!”

Raikkonen has started more races than any other driver in history (351 before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix) and has 103 podiums to his name, including 21 race victories. He admitted he does not currently have an interest in remaining in the sport in an advisory role after he retires.

Given the amount of travelling involved, he said he would rather simply continue driving if those demands were still being placed on him.

After he announced his retirement earlier in the year, we at PlanetF1 dug out some of our favourite facts about the Iceman – take a look by clicking here.