Kimi Raikkonen was born October 17, 1979 in Espoo, Finland. As early as ten years old he began to show its ability to auto racing. In 1999 he became vice-champion of the kart series Formula Super A. And in 2000 he was one of the leaders in the regular season of Formula Renault. During appearances in Formula Renault, he came to the attention of the owner team Sauber, Kimi who offered to take part in the tests in September 2001. The young and ambitious Raikkonen could not miss such a chance, and after a successful test results he was offered a contract signing with the team. Due to lack of experience in leadership FIA did not want to give the young Finn a pilot's license, but after long negotiations, FIA president Max Mosley did give up and gave Kimi a temporary license. Already in the first race of the season Australian Grand Prix Raikkonen finished in the points. It was a great success for the team Sauber, which is not in the favorites. At the end of the championship, Kimi took 10 th place with 9 points in the asset. Together with Nick Hayfeldom they were able to "knock out" for Sauber fourth place in the Constructors' Championship - the highest she had ever held. The successful debut of Raikkonen in the championship in 2001 impressed the owners of the team McLaren. After the departure of the team leader Mickey Hakkinen took his place Kimi. Many experts were surprised by the choice of the head of McLaren Ron Dennis, but he was sure that Kimi - rider of the future and its success is not far off. Already in the first race in 2002 Raikkonen was able to climb the podium, finishing third. As a result of the season due to an unstable Mercedes engines, and as a consequence, the frequent gatherings of the Finn scored only 24 points and finished the championship in sixth place. Together with Coulthard they won third place for McLaren in the Constructors' Championship. Season of 2003 brought Kimi first victory in Formula 1. " It happened at the Malaysian Grand Prix. He started from seventh place, but at the expense of competent pilot, as well as clashes marching ahead of Schumacher and Trulli and the best tactics of pit stops - could take the lead and hold it. Further participation in the 3003 championship was held in brutal combat with Schumacher and Montoya. The main obstacle for Raikkonen was that the McLaren mechanics could not finalize a new car, and the pilots were forced to appear on the machines last year, which by their performance inferior to the new bolides other teams. Despite this, the following season in 2003, Kimi was able to win 2 nd place. Beginning next season for the McLaren team had the very unfortunate. The new car has not been brought to the "operational" status. The team began the season with an old car, which was only slightly modified. This could not affect the results - in the first seven races of the season Raikkonen finished only twice and scored one point. The new car debuted at the Grand Prix of France. In this race, Raikkonen finished seventh, then in the British Grand Prix won the pole and the race finished in second place behind Michael Schumacher. However, the new car lacked reliability. As a result of the season Raikkonen scored 45 points in the championship and finished in seventh place. Start the 2005 season also became Raikkonen successful. McLaren race cars could not gain enough speed in qualifying because of the fact that the Michelin tires could not keep warm. The first podium of the season Raikkonen was able to win only in Bahrain - having started the ninth, he was able to break through into third place. In the Grand Prix of San Marino was close to victory, but because of the failure was forced to come down in Spain and Monaco, Raikkonen won, reducing its backlog of championship leader Alonso by 22 points. In the next European Grand Prix he was leading until the last lap, but then the suspension of his front wheel broke, and he flew off the track in the last corner. Damage to the suspension was caused by the fact that when overtaking Jacques Villeneuve peretormozil Raikkonen, and his wheel is formed by flat land, which cause severe vibration. Hungarian Grand Prix, Kimi won, but at the press conference made it clear that after the contract with McLaren in 2006, he could leave the team if the reliability of the machines will not rise. As a result of the season Raikkonen was in second place, behind by 21 points from Alonso, but ahead by 50 points took third place Michael Schumacher. This year, many experts and fans of Formula 1 "repeatedly stated that it was Kimi was the best racer in 2005 and could win the championship if the car was more reliable. This is confirmed by the fact that the season after he was repeatedly named in the press, "the pilot year." Last season the team McLaren is not marked for the pilots to any achievements. The car still is reliable, and himself a pilot repeatedly admitted serious mistakes. The result - fifth in the league of pilots and third place for the team in Constructors' Championship. After the Italian Grand Prix 2006 Ferrari team announced that Raikkonen has signed her three-year contract. Partner Kimi was Felipe Massa. In the first race of the 2007 season at the Australian Grand Prix Raikkonen won in the second and third Grand Prix, Kimi is also on the podium, winning third place. In Spain, due to problems with the electrician, Kimi had to go the distance. At the Monaco Grand Prix with 16 seats he managed to break into the eighth, won one point. In Canada, the Finn came in fifth in the U.S. - the fourth. On his spate of criticism because of a failed first half of the season. However, after the U.S. victory was followed by France and the UK. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Kimi took the second position. After a three-week break in Turkey, Massa started from pole position and won, but Kimi has earned second place and showed the best range. At the last Grand Prix of Brazil for the first time since 1986 in the final season showdown for the title fight just three riders. In this race, Raikkonen finished first, Alonso - the third, and Hamilton - the seventh. As a result, Kimi has earned 110 points and won his first world title. The first race of the season was a failure for Raikkonen, and for the team as a whole. Due to technical problems in qualifying, Kimi was forced to start the 15-m. During the race he made various attempts to break into the points zone. However, the 43-lap the current world champion was forced to go because of engine problems. But the season has just begun, and Kimi Raikkonen is still one of the main contenders for the world title in the Royal race.
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