Growing older but still ever so popular

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He's been around for a while, but Kimi Raikkonen who celebrates on this day his 42nd birthday remains one of Formula 1's most popular characters.

From his debut with Sauber in Melbourne in 2001 to his current tenure with the Swiss outfit which will conclude at the end of the current season, the Iceman has enjoyed a bit of a hectic career in F1.

But Raikkonen followed up his first championship point in Australia in his maiden Grand Prix with a record 343 additional race starts that yielded 103 podiums, 21 wins and a world title in 2007 with Ferrari.

The Finn's retirement from the sport at the end of this year will sadden his fans but certainly gladden his better half Minttu and the couple's children Robin and Rianna.

But until the flag drops in Abu Dhabi and the Iceman mumbles his final "Bwoah…", it's full speed ahead for F1's senior citizen.