Kimi Raikkonen's Greatest-Ever Drive Through The Field | 2005 Japanese Grand Prix |

As we prepare to farewell the legendary Kimi Raikkonen this weekend in Abu Dhabi, we look back upon one of his greatest drives through the field at the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix.
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#F1 #KiitosKimi

[@diegocavenaile7357]

Everyone needs to vote for Kimi as driver of the day for his last drive.

[@christianorsa]

On it🤝

[@Firebolt1729]

Something I am sure fans can universally agree on

[@OleR.]

Come on everybody hit that like button 👍

[@Firebolt1729]

@Християн Димов ??

[@paavo19]

l'm a 100% agreed right to you. 👍

[@MastaMS21]

The saddest part about that is too many people knew and will remember Kimi just for his radio punchlines whereas during his Mclaren days, he was an amazing driver fighting against Alonso and Schumacher without any issue.

[@aniketmeshram6598]

What an era !!! Grid filled with 4 teams each having championship winning cars with them fighting each other..

[@mateuszmatuszczak4282]

It's a shame that he won WC only once.

[@delafereolivier7682]

Never forget his amazing first season with the prancing horse! 2005, 2007 are his masterpiece.

[@quentinhirschfeld9382]

@@delafereolivier7682 Tu oublies 2003, il est passé à 3 points de gagner un championnat du monde avec une voiture dépassée!

[@dnegel9546]

What radio????

[@Cpr1234]

No matter whoever wins the title on Sunday, Verstappen and Hamilton aren't getting Driver of the Day. Kimi should get it.

[@calstri]

Everyone rally vote for Kimi? Let’s go lol

[@gto861]

Still reluctant to say how McLaren was unreliable

[@AlexGraz4114]

Where can I vote for him?

[@priyanshubagga3650]

@@AlexGraz4114 just write "driver of the day F1" during the race and you'll get the website on the first search result

[@2jzandys444]

They’ll probably just disregard the Kimi votes

[@simbarocksone]

His overtake on Fisichella will live long in the memory. An amazing overtake which demonstrates just how amazing Kimi was in 2005.

[@nikosv9056]

In his whole career Kimi was amazing driver not only back in 2005!

[@simbarocksone]

@@nikosv9056 that is true!

[@taccus3990]

When young V6-era drivers say "I need the DRS to overtake", Kimi scoffs and says "Bwoah, amateurs"

[@timothysimmers2917]

Pretty sure in the main highlights he also performs the same move on Schumacher

[@k1b04ALL]

Even better than Alonso vs Schumi at 130R IMHO 🙃

[@borja922]

V10, 'small' cars, no DRS, close racing... oh men, this era was amazing

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

I almost cry remembering that glorious 2000s era!

[@its_only_karma7440]

Imagine drs and slicks on those bad boys 💀💀

[@dominykasc]

refuelling too

[@SaleSale100]

No tyre changing if i recall correctly.

[@hooligan1017]

in terms of pure speed, he's one of the fastest in f1 history the fact only Schumacher and Hamilton both are 7-time champs who have driven some of the most dominant and fastest f1 cars in history have more fastest laps than Kimi should tell fans all they need to know about how special Kimi is behind the wheel. Long live the Iceman you will be missed.

[@emiliofernandez7117]

That’s why I don’t judge drivers purely on stats alone

[@AAMIRKHAN-yt1el]

@@emiliofernandez7117 perfectly said! for me Michael, Mika, Lewis, Alonso, Kimi, Seb all go in the list of best drivers of the past 2 decades

[@heianorge6426]

to be fair Schumacher also went into the Ferrari team when they were pretty much at the lower bottom of the F1 league, he worked harder than any other driver and got Ferrari back to the top Still tho I'd also say that 2005 Kimi was definitly the faster driver!

[@arcsephiroth]

Actually Kimi's and Michael's fastest laps are the true ones. Specially those set prior to full fuel era

[@klockenberg2299]

@@heianorge6426 They were never at lower bottom. It's exaggerating. They were more like years like 2011 or such.

[@DaniMacYo]

Schumacher, Kimi, Alonso. Those were some incredible season watching them duke it out over the years. We are truely privilege to have witnessed the greatness of the V10 era. Will be very sad when Raikkonen retires. Incredible we still Alonso having a go.

[@mitchell-wallisforce7859]

We? I was a hair off 3 years old back then! Y'all were lucky.....I was late! XD

[@broFH]

2003-2007 was the pinnacle of F1 IMO.

[@dbabu51]

@@broFH nah 2010 and 2012 were honestly the best years ever. I think 2021 is very close because it’s an amazing and drama filled battle between two titans. 2021 is better than 2005 because Alonso only won because Kimi had bad reliabiltu

[@ariefhf]

@@dbabu51 if you only see it from point wise yes 2021 better because all square again in the final race. But if you see from action, overtake, side by side, wheel to wheel action then 2005 is better. 2 young aggressive driver against the senior of them all. Why I said it because I don't recall this year championsip contenders fighting side by side, wheel to wheel without hitting each other out, without running out wide, no just clean overtake.

[@dbabu51]

@@ariefhf that’s what makes it so fun. So much drama between them and the teams and the crashes helped that

[@ghinafadhila]

THIS is the Kimi I want people to remember. Yeah, some of his radio and interviews were amusing, but come on. There's so much more to him than just a funny one liner guy. I don't want him to be remembered for the wrong reason.

[@Xiphactinus]

He had a nice little resurgence at Lotus as well, I remember that well!

[@foxjones_amv]

Why not both? I think we'll remember him from both, what he was like, and what he did on the track.

[@reycdgaming8448]

I think ure beautiful

[@ghinafadhila]

@@Xiphactinus Oh, for sure. I love his Lotus era so much.

[@ghinafadhila]

@@foxjones_amv It's mostly for the newer gen fans that thinks like this. They thought Kimi is just this 'senile' old man, driving backmarkers car with sometimes saying funny things on the radio. Also F1 sosial media team make this worse by keep posting his 'funny radio' instead of his best racing moments. I'm a big Kimi fan and seeing this keep happening really annoyed me.

[@pavels.2784]

We forgot Kimi is not only memes, He is one of the greatest in F1. What a drive!

[@Firebolt1729]

Shame that the McLarens he drove were made up of glass...

[@roastingminer6919]

2005 and 2003 should have been his, but the car didnt want to cross the finish line... ever lol

[@WassupWassup420]

You forgot

[@mike04574]

nobody thinks that, only little kids

[@mike04574]

@@roastingminer6919 2005 ye not 2003, he finished almost every race of 03 in the podiums but it wasnt enough

[@arindamsaha7062]

Kimi's prime was in his McLaren days, no one's going to change my mind

[@ajstyles5704]

No DRS, No Kers, just pure awesome.

[@Xiphactinus]

@@ajstyles5704 no overtakes either

[@sarumadaki]

@@Xiphactinus much prefer fewer but ballsy overtakes rather than everyone waiting to get to the big straight to pass the guy in front with DRS like he's just standing there

[@GarvitxGod]

Even 2012 Lotus season

[@arindamsaha7062]

@@GarvitxGod not even close

[@shmet]

Fanboys know him for the memes. F1 fans know him for the amazing races he's given us

[@suggestiveguy]

fanmen i guess

[@romoc0p]

F1 fans know him for both.

[@relli3035]

I know him for both lol

[@iamajeeeep]

Well f1 fans know him for both but mostly his driving

[@m80116]

Bring me back in time... I wanna see another 30 years of this stuff: V10 noises, real pit-stops with refueling, track battles with no DRS and boost trickery. It all ended too quickly for me.

[@hudionoalim]

This is racing before the maFIA took over

[@harjonotanuwira8226]

How I wish I could go back to 2005

[@srdjanstevanovic4245]

So well said, ended too quickly and abruptly, this was so emotional to read... imagine the kids who never watched a live race with engines screaming at 18-21k RPM

[@source9264]

Grid girls!

[@GolfieButterbro]

Its truly unbelieveable, bro😩

[@ashutoshjha9711]

Kimi is one of its kind maybe not so many championship to his name but he truly stands among the greats

[@taccus3990]

He only got what he wanted. Got the title he was happy and considered his mission finished, then he went on just because he liked it. Legendary

[@hybridAbsol]

He did the Nico Rosberg before Nico himself can :v

[@klockenberg2299]

@@hybridAbsol Unfortunately Nico was kinda lucky to win 1 title (Hamilton had bad luck on Malaysia), but Kimi was unlucky to win *only* 1 (like Mansell).

[@eraserwithholes6093]

Kiitos paljon kimi, että teit joka kilpailusta paremman, saat kaikki thr paddockissa nauramaan ja olet kiistatta paras kuljettaja. Kiitos Kimi!

[@yellowflag9945]

I don’t speak Finnish but I felt this

[@danmoroz96]

@@yellowflag9945 Thank you Kimi that you've done every competition/race better, made paddock laugh and were during races the best driver. That is a translation

[@danmoroz96]

@@yellowflag9945 Oh, I forgot. Thank you, Kimi

[@eraserwithholes6093]

@@yellowflag9945 Thank you!

[@LinksuHD]

Kiitos Kimi olet maailman paras ja aliarvostetuin kuljettaja Ansaitset 10 mestaruutta❤️

[@leomartin636]

When that McLaren finally showed some reliability, Kimi (and I say It as a Fernando fan) was the fastest man on track and absolutely clínical lap after lap, banging the apex perfectly lap after lap, putting the throtle the exact same in each corner, the rocket McLaren and Kimi were such an underrated pair due to reliability, shame honestly.

[@MiguelMedV]

Great seeing this from a Fernando Alonso fan ✌🏼...

[@leomartin636]

@@MiguelMedV man u cant deny talent when you whitness it

[@MiguelMedV]

@@leomartin636 True, I hope both drivers go down very well remembered in history, number of titles never tell the whole story...

[@robertomingo9822]

Absolutely true. Still I wouldn't say alonso didn't deserve the title, he did perform consistently great. However kimi was untouchable in some races

[@klockenberg2299]

@@MiguelMedV Alonso and Kimi both achieved too little with their talents. In contrast to Hamilton and Seb.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Fastest driver I have seen this century, at his peak. He deserved the 2003 and 2005 titles. He should be on the grid in 2022. 2:47 look at the front end of that McLaren - absolutely perfect for Kimi!

[@sohambelge8318]

He deserved the 2003 and 2005 tittle more than the 2007 one. 2005 he was scary fast

[@jamesford4950]

A legend, not sure I could deal with the front end being that lively - his steering input is first class.

[@xxtermite4427]

@@chamindujanith6337 just no. If it wasn't for bad luck/mclaren reliability he'd of got at least 3 wins and won the title in the 3rd best car

[@aarav9376]

Kimi you legend You will be missed by everyone

[@kennyyuliandrika7162]

The legend that doesn't care about himself became legend. What a legend! Hope he's ended his F1 career with a smile this time. Not like last time in ferarri.

[@hybridAbsol]

I think Alonso had it worst when he joined Ferrari team

[@dylaniceman7354]

"Grand prix racing at its finest!" Truly a moment to remember. Each overtake was done cleanly, unlike today's F1 racing...

[@lazaalecs]

yep, was thinking the same.

[@hybridAbsol]

Lewis crashing in Max couple times, yeah....

[@wssw680]

Max, the media and the fans' favorite's pushing everybody off the track without penalties and causing crashes and damages tactic must be the pinnacle of grand prix racing for sure..

[@danielhao5595]

I always liked Kimi for his clean driving like he demonstrated here and when Lewis passed him in Monza a few years ago. That’s proper racing.

[@waterbottle1234100]

Worth mentioning that this is without DRS.

[@arroe8386]

Yeah, people always forget that when they look at races from the past

[@DTheVigne]

and without tire change. Only refuelling

[@stanstansky5522]

*cough hamilton brazil*

[@no1washerezz]

also worth mentioning he had an adrian newey chassis and the most powerful engine on the grid. not discrediting him but it played out similarly to hamilton in brazil last month

[@theempires5]

@@no1washerezz That Mercedes was far from being powerful and it had notorious reliability issues. Kimi suffered no fewer than 3 Friday engine failure which necessitate an engine replacement and a 10 place grid penalty (Silverstone, Magny-Cours, Monza). Honda was reckoned to be the most powerful as it was clocked producing 985 bhp at Suzuka.

[@ajmalhussain3574]

I still can't quite believe that Kimi was able to fight Schumacher in his prime with an outdated 18 month old car from 2002 for the whole of the 2003 season. Simply amazing! If only he had a few years of world championship dominating cars 😭

[@kevinprengemann7456]

Believe it or not, but the 2002 cars were on average faster than the 2003 cars. I compared quali times and fastest laps of the first 10 races each year. A following year does not automatically mean the cars are faster. Over longer time spans, sure, they became faster and faster.

[@akshatmathur4560]

Please everyone who's seeing this comment. Let us vote for kimi as driver of the day regardless how the championship goes and how he performs..

[@Firebolt1729]

BWOAH

[@MarkM22]

I don’t know

[@DarthJF]

One of the all time great drives in F1 history. Kimi deserved the title in 2005 but unfortunately McLaren's reliability was what it was.

[@greybo4034]

He was 2 points behind in 2003 too...if it wasn't for 1 dnf which was because if the car he would have won by 2 points ...

[@kevinprengemann7456]

​@@greybo4034 That is the nature of F1. There are dozens of ''if cases'' especially in the past when reliability was a major factor.

[@antonvongarrel8995]

I want to see 100% of the DOTD votes for Kimi in Abu Dhabi! Don't disappoint F1 Community!

[@sohambelge8318]

Max fans will 🤡

[@Firebolt1729]

Max fans will somehow find a way to make him DOTD

[@judge81]

Was gonna say the Dutch fans will definitely try to ruin it

[@grandg3578]

@@sohambelge8318 lol like the Hamilton fans aren't way worse

[@mentosz9609]

@@sohambelge8318 tf ? U hate Kimi or something!

[@mrandyarg]

He always had respect in track with the other drivers, always giving the space, breaking before curves if someone was already on the inside space. A complete driver, it'll be sad to not have him anymore on the grid but he'll be always a legend to the fans, despite the team. "it's goodbye, not farewell" :)

[@ballistischerfalke4061]

Prime Kimi between 2003 and 2005 was an alien and probably at the time the best driver on the planet.

[@sandalphoncpu]

Who needs a safety car to pass the entire field in Suzuka when you have Prime Kimi

[@dickyangkoso8958]

HE MUST BE DRIVER OF THE DAY ON ABU DHABI! let's go people! He truly deserves it.

[@ritwizrai8550]

It's quite unlikely but I still hope we get to see Kimi doing some donuts at the end of the last race.

[@akmal94ibrahim]

Kimi being Kimi, he'll probably just go home like nothing happened

[@hybridAbsol]

Or he'll just drive home in his Alfa F1 car :v

[@justmax3095]

MP4/20 THE GREATEST CAR TO NEVER WIN THE TITLE. DEFINETLY MY FAVOURITE F1 CAR.

[@klockenberg2299]

MP4-22 is better.

[@gianlucasebastiano8481]

To quote the final line of the clip... "He got the job done. Sensational, brilliant skills...What a pleasure has been to watch his carrer".

[@pierrebernard7665]

That's why he's my favorite ever. At the time he was absolutely magical. His last seasons at Ferrari as a number two are an insult to this era.

[@robertsmithers7591]

Kimi's only sad moment that day was at 4:37 where he had to cry a little bit as so much champagne was being wasted and not consumed xD

[@saltbjorn]

So much talent packed into one man

[@acalin5]

Yes, great race this one. But people easily forget his 2002, 2003, 2004 seasons. He was a youngster and battled the mighty Schumacher at his best and with the Ferrari having a dominant car in 2002 and 2004. Kimi showed moments of utter brilliance (Silverstone 2004, Spa 2004). 2002 he had 11 DNFs :))))), but when he finished with that dog of a car, he was up there most of the time.

[@stanstansky5522]

Beautiful. No DRS just pure speed and determination. This was peak kimi, he could of been champion that year if it wasn’t for mclaren s reliability

[@davitdanelia1749]

Without him F1 will be poor, dark place for me. Him and Alonso are truly last of the old timers. Forever Kimi.

[@SigmaEngine2099]

Now this is pure Formula One

[@tonim.8016]

I want this to be Kimis last team radio: Kimis race engineer: "Hey Kimi, this was an amazing performance. Thank you for those last points you've given us here, you drove your heart out there." Kimi: "Thank you too, you guys were amazing. Great race." Fred Vasseur: "and Kimi, we've just got the message that you became Driver of the Day." Kimi: "Bwoah." Change my mind.

[@patrickmarcello5103]

Kimi, V10, one of the greatest drives in F1 history. If an alien wants an explanation for F1, they can watch this 👌

[@JustAnotherGuyOnTheInternet]

A 4 time world champion in my eyes will miss him alot when he's gone

[@Antti88]

This was The last REAL F1 era. Monstress V10💪

[@MulsanneRacing]

Chidlhood F1. the reason why this are my favourite F1 cars,the sound of the V10 engines ... music!!!.The best race of Kimi in my opinion.

[@andre_star7776]

Unfortunately, new fans will only remember Kimi for his glorious radios. When he was on his prime, he was a absolute monster. He was set to be a 3 time World Champion (2003 - 2005 - 2007), but reliability didn't played on his side in 2003 and 2005, and he only got 2007 (If we think about this, is sad, 'cause he deserved more). Kittu Kimi, and we all must vote him as Driver of the Day on sunday

[@NERGYStudios]

Grande Kimi. He deserved at least two more titles

[@cikif]

4:25 he's so happy. He finally got his gloves and steering wheel.

[@TheCoBBus]

Kimi has given so much to this sport ! It is a shame to see him leave and I think we will not see much of him after this year. I hope to see a Räikkönen in F1 in 10 to 15 years

[@DanHill1991]

Kimi in a McLaren was such a joy to watch. It's such a shame he never one at least one championship with them because he came so close on multiple occasions.

[@nimishchauhan7432]

Why was Ron Dennis' reaction not included when Kimi overtook on the final lap.

[@parathoxicz1720]

Ive grown up watching michael win, i followed kimi and alonso too. after michael retirement i became a kimi fan. That was a great era of F1.

[@leewat9068]

Finally F1 posted a video about Kimi charging through the field in Suzuka 2005😃

[@guitarman813]

Both Kimi and Fernando shot off the line! The definition of launch control!

[@mokatta17]

It will feel like a disturbance in the force when kimi leaves😔 So let's vote him for driver of the day in Abu Dhabi🙂

[@user-oj3cv1ws5u]

What a brilliant move...GP racing at its absolut findest ... ever 18 years later i get an goosepump everytime i hear that... brilliant Racer, brilliant GP, brilliant Emoticons... unbelieveable Race Weekend !!May be Kimi will never be the best... but He will Always remember as one of the greatest !!

[@MohdShahid-nr5hl]

Absolute best. Kimi is a legend an second to nobody! F1 will not be the same without the ice man.

[@TimTaylor99]

I just have to look for this race in KZbin. This was so amazing. Love Kimi 2003 and 2005, he really nailed it on some tracks. Unbeatable pace! 💯💥💥💙

[@elkyf1]

I can't believe it was 16 (SIXTEEN) years ago. I remember it like yesterday.

[@detonator2112]

Kimi in his prime was the best F1 driver during his McLaren days. Ron Dennis said that he was the fastest driver he has ever seen. And this is from a guy who had Senna, Prost, Hakkinen and Lauda in his team. Kimi was never again the same driver at Ferrari for whatever reason. Always solid and some occasional glimpses of greatness. But he definitely was something else 2002-2005.

[@nikovirtanen]

Kimi should've been world champion that year, best looking car too!

[@kHz33]

James Allen's commentary on the last lap is goosebumps-inducing, no matter how many times I've seen it already. He was such a fan of racing, his passion could be easily heard.

[@mclarenrob2]

Buttons first win was pretty awesome too

[@grannieannie1371]

Don't forget to vote him driver of the day. It's the best way we can say thanks for the memories and see ya ice man.

[@claytonrenatodeandrade3505]

without a doubt one of the greatest drivers of all time 👏👏👏👏

[@evanroldan9566]

One Of the Greatest Races in History

[@abhijeetkulkarni9612]

This never gets old ! Forza Kimi !

[@Per_Hashisblad]

Kiitos Kimi kaikista näistä vuosista ja mahtavista kisoista!

[@akashsarma8241]

What a race What a driver

[@geoffhutchins3823]

Great driver Kimi

[@LesVoituresOntLaParole]

Don't forget to vote him for Driver of the Day in Sunday's race

[@joaquinfernandesgarcia3269]

3:50 OOOHHHH!!!! They're nearly touched!!!!

[@jannix5383]

Kimi might be the most underrated driver ever. He was such a force at Mclaren but let down by his car way to often

[@nickmildon6348]

That first lap he did in Portugal last year was insane. We will miss you Kimi but we will leave you alone now.

[@F1Plus]

The most beautiful car in f1 history, the MP4-20.

[@giahuyle8311]

And the most unreliable either

[@partule]

Kimi smiled at 0:05 !!!??

[@wazzzzzz123456789]

Absolute class!! Raced because he loved it. Even his last interview just 'I am not here to please people'. Still hard to believe only a one time champ.

[@MikDimitaPiosPaw]

Best race of his caarer, this was a real raikkonen, thank you Kimi!

[@TheLeadSled]

Today Sunday December 12, 2021 Kimi takes to the F1 track for his final time. What a career, world champion 2007, an absolute beast, you will be missed my friend.

[@un6250]

I highly recommend this race for everyone to watch if you haven’t already, this has to be one of the greatest drives f1 has ever seen

[@Iggsy81]

I remember seeing this live and as a huge Kimi fan boy it was unreal. 2003-2005 he was such a supreme driver.

[@satyasrikar4677]

How surprising it must be for Kimi to witness almost an ocean of change and developments in F1 in two decades. Without a doubt, he's was, is and will be the most coolest driver putting his valuable experience into an impeccable driving

[@thomasconway95]

No red flags or excessive safety cars, real flat out racing

[@reisanibal1]

Because there's hardly any on-track action. Everything happens in the pits.

[@kerotamahirome7869]

Now this is the F1 I like be back in the days from 2003-7

[@Hacker...s.s.]

kimi was a beast, kimi will be a forever known legend to the sport.

[@rkfinser]

The best of kimi ❤❤

[@Roger_EC]

Grande Kimi. Siempre a otro nivel, jamás será olvidado

[@GodsMemeTV]

this was the time when he cared about his job it was a short time

[@alsa4real]

Thank you for this.

[@colinstewart1432]

Kimi is one of a kind. In that Mclaren he was an absolute monster. 🤜💥🤛

[@IanTheMotorsportsMan_YT]

Thank you, Kimi!

[@stepladder3257]

Kimi lost championships because McLaren was unreliable, then he moved to Ferrari and won against them by one point, that is such a sigma move

[@deiwi]

I've been blessed with the opportunity to watch this race live back then. What a legend! Thank you to Kimi for 20+ years of pure racing entertainment both on and off the track.

[@bencekiss1990]

For me, Kimi is a three-time champion!

[@lasimies4142]

The music ruins the video just let us hear the engines

[@LordCommanderJonSnow]

If only Kimi won a championship with his mclaren

[@user-fp9wl3me5x]

Indeed. The reliability problems lost him 1 or 2 championships. But Kimi in the McLaren was so quick around the tracks that it would have been deserved to win a championship or two.

[@AlexTittyJohn]

Epic!!! What a drive!!

[@kibi979]

Kimi 💪

[@dhruvak9205]

MF fans of Lewis and Max who started watching F1 after DTS... This is called Speed, clean overtaking and presence of mind... A combination of these 3 the above mentioned idiots don't possess... This is the race that made me a fan of his... Lucky to have watched this live

[@mac119ify]

Why add the unnecessary music! The sound of the cars alone is the true music.

[@LaureusSport]

Amazing driving! Raikkonen's skills back in the day were insane! 🤯🤯 What a legend!

[@naokiiiii4179]

I’ll never forget these beautiful overtakes in Suzuka. I’ll miss your radio and champagne time… You’re the coolest ice man, Kimi!