Retiring Räikkönen despite dropping out ‘driver of the day’

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton starred on the Yas Marina Circuit. The Dutchman passed his British rival in the final lap and therefore took the world title. Räikkönen, the 2007 world champion, was voted driver of the day by viewers.

“It’s nice to see so many people showing their appreciation today, even though the race didn’t go as hoped,” said the Finn. “We had a technical problem after the pit stop. That is racing, sometimes things break. But this result does not affect how I look back on my career. I am happy that I am now going to a ‘normal’ life, there “I’m looking forward to it. Of course I’m going to miss a lot of great people I’ve met over the past 20 years. It went fast, I have a lot of memories; some are beautiful, some bad. They will stay with me forever.”