Austin, Texas — In one of the most popular victories of the modern Formula 1 era, Kimi Räikkönen claimed a sensational win at the 2018 United States Grand Prix, fending off a charging Lewis Hamilton and postponing the Briton’s bid to seal his fifth world title — at least for one more race.
Driving for Ferrari, the Iceman rolled back the years at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), executing a perfect race to secure his first victory since the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, and his first with Ferrari since 2009.
“It’s been a while,” Räikkönen said on the team radio after crossing the finish line.
“But we never stopped trying.”
Starting from P2, Räikkönen made an aggressive move at Turn 1 to pass pole-sitter Hamilton and take the lead early on. What followed was a masterclass in tire management, pace, and composure — everything that defined Räikkönen during his prime years.
Despite pressure from both Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Kimi held firm in the closing laps, thrilling fans and showing that even in the latter stages of his career, he still had what it takes to beat the best.
🏁 Top 3 Finishers
- Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
The result not only delighted Ferrari fans around the globe but also ignited the title race with just three rounds to go in the 2018 season.
While Hamilton still held a commanding lead in the championship standings, he needed to outscore Sebastian Vettel by eight points in Austin to seal the deal. With Vettel finishing fourth, Hamilton fell just short, and the champagne stayed on ice.
“Of course I wanted to win the title here,” Hamilton admitted.
“But credit to Kimi — he did an amazing job today.”
The win was met with a standing ovation from fans, paddock members, and even rival teams. Social media erupted with celebration for the 39-year-old, who reminded the world why he’s one of the most loved — and respected — figures in motorsport.
“Kimi Räikkönen is Formula 1’s coolest driver,” one tweet read.
“He leaves, comes back, wins again. No drama. Just racing.
Räikkönen’s win at COTA became one of the defining moments of the 2018 season — a fairy-tale triumph for a driver who had spent much of the season playing a supporting role. It was a victory that proved age is just a number, and that class, composure, and raw speed never go out of style.
For one incredible Sunday in Texas, the Iceman thawed — and stole the show.
