“Not a Hobby Anymore” – Twitter Reacts as Kimi Raikkonen Announces His F1 Retirement

2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen has just announced his retirement from Formula One. The 41-year-old is finally retiring for good and not taking a sabbatical like he did at the end of 2009. In light of his announcement, many people reacted to his decision.

The veteran Finn wrote on Instagram, “This is it. This will be my last season in Formula 1. This is a decision I did during last winter. It was not an easy decision but after this season it is time for new things. Even though the season is still on, I want to thank my family, all my teams, everyone involved in my racing career and especially all of you great fans that have been rooting for me all this time. Formula 1 might come to an end for me but there is a lot more in life that I want to experience and enjoy.”

A legend is hanging up his race suit…a privilege to have watched him race…(and to have been so brilliantly coached by him to race, on ice ) #ThanksKimi

— Natalie Pinkham (@NataliePinkham) September 1, 2021

Of course, the 2021 season is still ongoing, so he will see out his contract before hanging up his boots. Without a doubt, he has been an integral cog in the F1 wheel and a key member in the Alfa Romeo garage. He is also hugely popular with the fans and many drivers are fond of the taciturn Finn.

We are going to be sad to see you go, Kimi

A titan of our sport. What a career! #F1 pic.twitter.com/mYhk13xqt3

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 1, 2021

Nothing but good thing to say about Kimi Raikkonen

In the wake of of the announcement, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali talked about the veteran driver. He called the Finn a personal friend and a ‘true champion’. Domenicali knows Raikkonen well because they worked together at Scuderia Ferrari. So it isn’t surprising that the Italian confessed that he and the sport will miss Raikkonen.

Truly the end of an era for our sport. Thank you for everything, F1 won’t be the same without you. Kiitos, Kimi. https://t.co/aY9RB2gYdm

— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) September 1, 2021

Raikkonen also has the honor of being Scuderia Ferrari’s last F1 champion for a while. Of course, there is another massive consequence of Raikkonen’s departure. To be precise, it blows the F1 driver market wide open, with an Alfa Romeo spot ripe for the taking. If any of the current drivers guns for that seat, it could set off a chain reaction as the puzzle pieces fall into place.

Not a hobby anymore

— Battery Voltas (@BatteryVoltas) September 1, 2021

One world championship, and hundreds and hundreds of laughs

So many funny memories with Kimi!#F1 pic.twitter.com/3XQlluUKU8

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 1, 2021

For now, Kimi Raikkonen will be content with simply enjoying his final few races before he walks away. It also gives him plenty of time to spend with his family. Who knows, the Raikkonen name could soon return in the future, if Robin decides to follow in his father’s footsteps.

READ MORE: Kimi Raikkonen Has a Typically Sarcastic Response to His Extra Alfa Romeo F1 Work

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