GPI 2017 Monaco Grand Prix | Page 158

REVIEW BY BEN STEVENS Saturday Kimi Raikkonen on pole. What year is this? Nearly nine years have passed since the Finn last occupied the occupied the first slot on the grid – a lot has changed in the interim, both for Kimi and the sport as a whole, but for one day at least, he was once again the fastest man on track. Naturally the moment meant a lot to him, Raikkonen clearly fighting to hold back the emotions brought on by his achievement. There was actually a moment where the corner of his mouth curled upwards… at least I think so. Obviously he headed into Sunday with excellent odds of breaking another drought – having last won a race in Australia at the start of 2013. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, this is a big accomplishment. Since coming back to Ferrari in 2014 he’s been little more than a punching bag for his teammates, first Fernando Alonso, now Sebastian Vettel. He’s been written off more times than you could count, while no seat is hotter than his for 2018. If only for one day, it doesn’t matter. The Ice Man is back, baby.