How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen’s emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber team-mate’s own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here’s how Nick Heidfeld’s career was chilled by the Iceman
The recent 20th anniversary of Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula 1 debut with Sauber was a timely reminder of the impact that the Finn made back in 2001.
It was one of the sport’s great stories. A guy straight out of Formula Renault 2.0 who drove his first few grands prix with a provisional superlicence became a regular top-six contender. He did so well that he was head-hunted by McLaren, at great expense, to replace double world champion Mika Hakkinen.
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