STORY OF THE DAY: Räikkönen Wins on His Ferrari Debut

Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in the number 6 Ferrari F2007. Starting from pole, he also set the fastest lap and defeated Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, opening his Ferrari career with a commanding victory in the first round of the World Championship.

Raikkonen controlled the race through both pit-stop cycles and seldom allowed the McLarens to threaten his position. The achievement carried particular weight because it was Ferrari’s first Grand Prix after Michael Schumacher’s retirement from full-time competition. Raikkonen immediately demonstrated that he could lead the team’s new era.

The F2007 was Ferrari’s first Formula One car designed around the control tyres supplied to every team by Bridgestone. It combined a carbon-fibre composite chassis with Ferrari’s 2.4-litre Tipo 056 V8 and featured a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Its speed and reliability carried Ferrari to the 2007 Constructors’ Championship.

Born in Espoo, Finland, Raikkonen progressed rapidly from Formula Renault to Formula One with Sauber in 2001. Five seasons with McLaren established him as a leading Grand Prix winner and twice a championship runner-up. His debut victory for Ferrari began a season in which he ultimately secured the Drivers’ Championship by one point.