Nineteen years ago today, Formula 1 fans witnessed one of the most spectacular drives in modern racing history. On 9 October 2005, Kimi Räikkönen produced a masterclass at the Japanese Grand Prix, storming from a distant P17 on the grid to take a dramatic and unforgettable victory at Suzuka. It remains one of the defining performances of his career—and one of the greatest comeback wins the sport has ever seen.
The race, held at the iconic 5.8-kilometre Suzuka Circuit, began with Räikkönen facing a daunting challenge. After a difficult qualifying session hampered by rain and an unfavourable running order, the McLaren driver was pushed far down the pack. But from the moment the lights went out, the Finn—already known as “The Iceman” for his calm intensity—showed he was on a mission.
Räikkönen carved through the field with clinical precision, executing overtakes with confidence and finesse. The McLaren MP4-20, one of the fastest cars of the season, gave him the pace he needed, but it was the driver’s bravery, consistency, and relentless determination that turned the impossible into reality. Lap by lap, he gained ground, picking off rivals in a display that combined aggression with near-perfect racecraft.
The defining moment came on the very final lap. Chasing down Toyota’s Giancarlo Fisichella for the lead, Räikkönen refused to settle for second. As they approached Turn 1, he launched a bold yet controlled move around the outside—one of the most iconic overtakes in F1 history. The crowd erupted as the Finn surged ahead, completing a comeback for the ages.
With that move, Räikkönen sealed his seventh win of the season and one of the most cherished victories in his career. The triumph cemented his reputation as one of the purest racers of his generation—fearless, fast, and fiercely committed.
Almost two decades later, the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix remains a race fans revisit with awe. It stands as a reminder of Räikkönen at his finest: a driver who could deliver magic when it mattered most, turning a near-impossible challenge into a moment of sporting legend. And on this anniversary, the memory of that breathtaking charge from P17 to P1 lives on as one of Formula 1’s greatest stories.
