Kimi Raikkonen’s brilliant reaction to his first points in F1 shows exactly why he’s dubbed ‘The Iceman’

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Kimi Raikkonen was famous for saying little and feeling even less, and his reaction to scoring his first Formula 1 points shows exactly why he became known as ‘The Iceman’.

The 2007 Formula 1 world champion was one of the most enigmatic figures in the paddock during his 19-year career in the category.

Raikkonen’s blunt and unemotional personality became a hit with fans, and when Ron Dennis came up with the nickname of ‘The Iceman’ for him, it seemed to sum him up perfectly.

Not one for small talk, the Finnish driver developed a reputation for speaking only when he had something to say, and showing little outward reaction to success or failure.

However, Raikkonen was also a lightning-quick race car driver. His talent was undeniable, which is evident through the exceptionally short route he took to secure a seat on the F1 grid.

Having raced in just 23 bouts before his call-up to the pinnacle of single-seater racing in 2001, the Finn was destined to etch his name in F1 history.

• READ MORE: How Kimi Raikkonen reacted to McLaren bosses fawning over Lewis Hamilton before his F1 debut

Sauber director Beat Zehnder once revealed how Kimi Raikkonen reacted to his first points in F1

Raikkonen was the featured driver of the August 2001 edition of the F1 Racing magazine (now Autosport). The Finnish driver was in the midst of his rookie season at the time, and was impressing everybody in the F1 paddock.

During an interview with personnel from Raikkonen’s Sauber outfit at the time, the sporting director of the Swiss racing team, Beat Zehnder, revealed ‘The Iceman’s’ immediate reaction to finding out that he had just secured the first points of his F1 career.

Zehnder said, “He’s as good as it gets – both talent-wise and temperament-wise. Look, after Australia, when he finished seventh on the road, I phoned him to tell him that [Oliver] Panis had been disqualified from fourth, moving him up to sixth.

“‘Congratulations, Kimi!’ I said. ‘You’ve scored a point in your first race.’ He just said, ‘OK. Thanks.’ That’s all.

“And in Austria, where he came fourth, I said to him, ‘Well done! Brilliant!’ And he said, ‘OK, but there were three more to beat.’ He’s just so cool. He’s great for Sauber.”

In today’s landscape, Nico Rosberg believes Oscar Piastri is the next Raikkonen, given the fact that the Australian maintains exactly the same demeanour at all times.

Martin Brundle agreed with Rosberg’s sentiments, adding to the German’s words with, “They’re quite similar. They wouldn’t use three words when two will do.”

• READ MORE: Helmut Marko explains why he opposed the signing of Kimi Raikkonen when Red Bull sponsored Sauber

Will Piastri have a better career than any driver on this list?

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The 2001 Formula 1 grid were stunned by Kimi Raikkonen’s impressive rookie season

Despite being linked with a move to Ferrari during his rookie campaign due to the ties between Sauber and the Italian outfit, Raikkonen opted to strike a deal with McLaren, where he would replace his mentor and compatriot Mika Hakkinen.

McLaren was also interested in Nick Heidfeld at the time, but the move was heavily influenced by the two-time world champion, who told Ron Dennis, via Carmag, “If you want to win, get the Finn!”

During the feature in F1 Racing, Hakkinen made his feelings clear about Raikkonen’s talents, saying, “I tell you, that boy is just fantastic. And he learns circuits so fast! Unbelievable.”

He wasn’t alone in the assessment of the future 2007 world champion. David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher were also very impressed with his race craft.

After setting a very competitive time on just his second flying lap on the streets of Monaco, Coulthard couldn’t help but applaud as he said, “That was very impressive. I think maybe he’s even better than [Juan Pablo] Montoya.”

Schumacher predicted that Raikkonen was destined for greatness, too. The seven-time world champion told F1 Racing, “He’ll win world titles.”