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WATCH : Kimi Raikkonen’s Insane Opening Lap at the Portuguese GP

Published 10/25/2020, 9:48 AM EDT

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via Reuters

What an absolutely crazy start we have had to the first-ever Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years. Definitely worth the wait. There were a few main talking points, one of them being Kimi Raikkonen and his super start.

The Alfa Romeo man had shown known no indication of getting into the points during his qualifying stint. However, perhaps the most optimistic of Raikkonen fans would have had butterflies in their stomach when he finished the first free practice session in P8.

On race day, the ‘Iceman’ got his fans all nostalgic. Raikkonen started the race in P16, but boy did he get off to an absolute flyer.

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Kimi started the race on the soft compound tires in hopes of an electric start. And he delivered what was asked for. He put his Alfa Romeo C39 in an incredible P6 at the end of a couple of laps.

However, his insane start wasn’t because he pulled off any ridiculously brave or audacious moves. Rather, the Finn kept things simple and just put his car wherever space opened up on the track and used his soft tires to breeze past some others.

Not to take away anything from him, though. He got off to a good start and had to make the moves stick.

Unfortunately for Kimi, his soft compound tires began degrading at a rapid pace. He saw himself being passed by Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly.

After slipping to P9, he decided to dive into the pits to get the medium compound tires on.

Can Kimi Raikkonen add to his points tally by the end of the race?

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via Reuters

The ‘Iceman’ isn’t having the greatest of times on the track this season. He sits in 17th place on the Drivers’ Championship table with just 2 points.

He’d definitely want to end the season with more points than his teammate Antonio Giovinazzi, who has 3 points to his name.

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Looking at the way Raikkonen has begun the race, you wouldn’t count him out of a top 10 place finish. Perhaps he may need a little bit of help from the weather, but it could be a possibility.

In fact, at the moment (lap 30), after coming out on the medium compound tires, Raikkonen is indeed in P10. Boy wouldn’t he love if the checkered flag was waved right now.

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Written by:

Ronan Carvalho

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Ronan Carvalho is senior F1 author for Essentiallysports. Ronan is currently pursuing his Journalism degree from St. Xavier's College.
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