From the very young age of 11 up to 15 years, Kimi Raikkonen was very successful in kartracing. He became the winner of National Karting several times and in 1995, being 16 years old, he entered Formula A Karting with even more progress and success.
One year later, Kimi pariticipated in the European series of Karting Grand Prix which was followed by the Finnish Championship, Nordic Championship, World Championship races, Monaco Cup, Formula Super A etc. With outstanding success in these races for the young and talented Finn, it later resulted in racing Formula Renault cars; beginning in Haywood Racing and Formula Renault Winter, followed in the year of 2000, in British Formula and European Formula Renault 2000. Nobody could really keep up with him there, as he continued to win race after race, e.g. totally thirteen times out of the seventeen events. It went on to the extent that in the year of 2000, being only 20 years old, Kimi was contacted by Peter Sauber for a test -race. First Kimi did not realize the possible outcome of that test, as he knew nothing about Peter Sauber having a signing of contract in mind for Kimi. However, the great impression remained in Peter Sauber, as it resulted in a contract for Kimi with the Sauber team for the year of 2001.
This was remarkable in history, as Kimi had no experience whatever by Formula 3 or Formula 3000, as actually was necessary entering Formula 1. Because of his very fast progress and his young age, he easily became very popular in media and in public. However, there were some from FIA who were reluctant about him in the beginning, because of his lack of experience in Formula 3 and Formula 3000. They were reluctant up to that point that they first did not want to give him the super-license necessary for the racing! Next page >>
