Kimi Raikkonen's 35th birthday is today. That, by F1 driver standards, is positively ancient. But the irascible, monotone driver, with his love for driving and impatient disdain for pretty much anything that isn't driving, is still the most charming and unique personality in F1 today. Let's celebrate the Iceman's birthday with a look back at our five favorite Kimi moments.
The Nurburgring Tire
At the Nurburgring in 2005, Kimi severely flat-spotted his right-front tire diving down the inside to pass Jacques Villeneuve. New rules that year limited tire changes to weather or puncture-related replacements, so Kimi couldn't pit for a replacement. Not that he would've—the Iceman, in first place with a comfortable lead, didn't even seem to slow down, despite his mangled tire sending shocking vibrations through the whole car. Finally, on the last lap, with Fernando Alonso 1.5 seconds behind him, Kimi's front suspension disintegrated, spinning him off the track and barely missing Jenson Button. If he'd pitted, Kimi would've netted six points, rather than zero for crashing out. But where's the adventure in that?
Passing Schumacher at Spa
Passing Michael Schumacher in any context is a pretty notable feat for a Formula 1 driver. But slicing past Schumi while hurtling through the esses at Eau Rouge takes some serious guts. Raikkonen pulled just such a move at Spa in 2012, in a pucker-inducing pass that cleared by mere millimeters. Did Schumacher lift?
Last Lap Pass, Suzuka 2005
Kimi didn't clinch the championship in 2005—Fernando Alonso beat him to it—but many consider this to be Raikkonen's best year of F1 driving. His performance at the Japanese Grand Prix was a distillation of the season. Starting 17th, Kimi scythed his way up the grid until he was running seconds behind leader Giancarlo Fisichella. In a stunning outside pass coming into Turn One on the very last lap, Raikkonen passed the Italian, taking the lead and the checkered flag.
Don't Tell Kimi What to Do
At the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, leading from pole position, stalled out off the track with fuel problems. Kimi, running second, inherited the lead, and the engineers wanted it to stay that way. The pits radioed to Raikkonen with the usual info—how to manage the tires, how far behind the nearest competitor was. Kimi wasn't having it. "Just leave me alone, I know what I'm doing," he snaps in the radio. Classic Kimi.
Taking Care of Pressing Matters
This isn't an on-track moment, but it's Kimi at his finest. Ahead of the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, soccer legend Pelé presented Michael Schumacher with a lifetime achievement award. Broadcaster Martin Brundle noted Kimi's absence during the ceremony. Where was the Iceman? Sometimes, those questions are better left un-asked.
Happy birthday, Kimi. May your grumpy, straight-shooter mumbling continue to fly in the face of the boring milquetoast F1 driver stereotype.
Bob Sorokanich previously served as deputy editor of Road & Track Magazine. He is based in New York City.
