Kimi Raikkonen is famous among fans and drivers for having one of the most unique personalities in F1. The Finnish driver achieved legendary status as a driver after winning the World Championship in 2007 but became more popular off the track in his later years.
Raikkonen won his only Title with Ferrari in 2007 and left the Italian team two years later. He returned in 2014, and after spending a season as a teammate with Fernando Alonso, four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel became his new partner on the team. Until his second departure from Ferrari in 2019, Vettel was Raikkonen’s teammate.
Sebastian Vettel & Kimi Raikkonen, experience the world’s tallest loop rollercoaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, ahead of the 2016 #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 😄🎢 #Seb5 #F1 pic.twitter.com/kSSzN3syzR
— #DankeSeb ♡ (@sebvettelnews) November 23, 2019
Vettel and Raikkonen developed a great relationship off the track. In fact, the former was one of the few people Raikkonen considered to be his friend in the F1 paddock. Together, they have been part of some iconic and funny moments away from the sport that fans fondly look back on even today.
Also read: Sebastian Vettel hats off to Max Verstappen for his incredibly racing skills
Kimi Raikkonen gives ‘Iceman’ gift to Sebastian Vettel
In a promotional shoot for Ferrari, Raikkonen gifted Vettel the most bizarre present one could ask for. The Scuderia had UPS (an American shipping company) as their sponsor, so they shot an advertisement that involved the two legendary drivers.
The ad showed Raikkonen casually checking the calendar, and realizing it was Vettel’s birthday. Since he forgot to get a present for his teammate, the former McLaren driver took a chainsaw and went into the shed to work on something. He then had it delivered through UPS, of course.
On the other side, Vettel was on the call where he was revealing how Raikkonen didn’t get him a gift when the UPS delivery man appeared with a parcel from the Finn. Upon opening it, an ice sculpture of Raikkonen appeared! Below the sculpture was a message engraved into ice that said, “Happy Birthday, from the Iceman.”
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Raikkonen ranks as most popular Finnish celebrity despite retiring from F1
Raikkonen’s last ever race in F1 was the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. He retired from the sport after that but it seems like his popularity is far away from being on the decline. A Finnish bonusetu.com compiled a list of the 10 most popular celebrities from Finland based on global fame.
Raikkonen finished top in that last followed by current Finnish F1 superstar Valtteri Bottas who is quickly becoming one of the most popular drivers today. Both Raikkonen and Bottas ranked above Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, with former F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen in fourth.
