Räikkönen, Rossi, Nakajima… Drivers who retired in 2021

Valentino Rossi (ITA)

Le Moto GP has just lost its greatest ambassador. Aged 42 and with a track record as long as his arm, Valentino Rossi bows out after 25 seasons in Moto GP. Nine-time world champion including seven times in the premier category, he participated in 423 Grands Prix for 235 podiums and 115 victories. Dizzying figures for Doctor who broke a number of records. “He changed the image of the motorcycle,” declared Johann Zarco to pay tribute to the Italian pilot. Like Max Verstappen and his loyal audience dressed in the color orange, Valentino Rossi moved crowds of supporters around the world wearing yellow t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the VR46 logo. The man who rode a Yamaha for the majority of his career has already indicated his intention to reconvert to Endurance, notably by participating in the 24 Hours of Dubai next January.

Photo Studio Milagro / DPPI

Kimi Räikkönen (END)

Summarizing Kimi Räikkönen's career in a few lines is impossible. Let's not dwell on this last season in Formula 1 where the Finn could not do better than an anonymous 16th place in the Drivers' standings. Arrived in the big leagues in 2001 at the age of just 21 from Formula Renault, he will have a promising start with Sauber, before joining McLaren and to know the consecration with Ferrari and his title in 2007. Between 2010 and 2011, he will move away from the world of F1 for 2 seasons to participate in rallies, in WRC notably with a 5th place as the best result during the Rally of Turkey in 2010. He also holds the record for the number of starts taken with 349, the last of which was in Abu Dhabi on December 12. Personality apart in the paddock, Iceman left no one indifferent with his frank and taciturn character.

Photo Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Julien Ingrassia (FRA)

Unlike Sébastien Ogier who will continue his career in the WRC but with a partial program, Julien Ingrassia is hanging up for good. The French co-driver has just won his 8th and final world rally champion title alongside the Gapençais. Who else to pay tribute to him than his faithful companion over the past 15 years? “Julien, in my eyes it is unequivocal, you are the best co-pilot. A very big thank you for everything because I know what I owe you and you will be impossible to replace”, Sébastien Ogier admitted to him at the end of their collaboration. The native of Aix-en-Provence took part in 168 rallies for 54 victories and 91 podiums. He will have formed an unforgettable duo with his friend, allowing France to continue to reign over the world of WRC after the era Loeb/Elena.

Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI

Kazuki Nakajima (JP)

A reference in the world of Endurance has bowed out at the end of the season. Kazuki Nakajima fought his last battles in WEC during the rounds in Bahrain at the end of the 2021 season. Aged 36, he went through the promotion formulas and Formula 1 with Williams between 2007 and 2009 before winning the Super Formula twice in 2012 and 2014 with TOM'S. The Japanese achieved his most prestigious success by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 with Fernando Alonso et Sébastien Buemi with the Toyota Gazoo Racing. Le fils de l’ancien pilote Satoru Nakajima réitérera cette performance lors des deux éditions suivantes. Remplacé au sein de l’écurie japonaise par Ryo Hirakawa, Kazuki Nakajima ne quitte pas pour autant l’univers du sport automobile puisqu’il occupera le poste de vice-président de Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe dès 2022.

Photo François Flamand / DPPI

Anthony Davidson (ENG)

Aged 42, Anthony Davidson began his career in 1999 in British promotional formulas before landing in Formula 1, first as a test driver for Honda, then taking the start of 24 Grands Prix with Minardi, BAR Honda and Super Aguri between 2002 and 2008. But it is in Endurance that the Englishman will spend the majority of his career, participating thirteen times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a 2nd place in 2013 with Toyota Racing as best result before finishing 2nd in LMP2 in 2020 with Jota Sport. The highlight of his career will remain his WEC world champion title with the Japanese team in 2014 and his teammate Sébastien Buemi.

READ ALSO > Davidson announces his retirement

Photo Joao Filipe / DPPI

Chris Patterson (IRL)

Julien Ingrassia n’est pas le seul copilote de renom à prendre sa retraite au terme de cette saison WRC. Après 24 années d’activité, Chris Patterson raccroche lui aussi pour de bon. Considéré comme l’un des plus expérimentés sur le circuit mondial, il s’était déjà retiré dans un premier temps en 2018 mais les efforts de M-Sport et de Gus Greensmith en début d’année ont poussé l’Irlandais à reprendre du service. Au total, il a décroché 12 podiums et participé à 144 Rallyes dans sa carrière qui a débuté en 1993. Petit fait insolite, Chris Patterson est l’un des seuls copilotes à être passé sur le baquet de gauche le temps d’une spéciale. It was in 2011 during the Power Stage of the Swedish Rally with Petter Solberg's Citroën DS3.

Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI

Gabriele Tarquini (ITA)

A true legend in his discipline, Gabriele Tarquini is retiring from WTCR. Aged 59, he won two Touring championship titles (WTCC in 2009 and WTCR in 2018). In 85 WTCR races, he scored eight wins. The Italian has lived several lives in motorsport. By first starting in a car, he participates in the F3 Italian at the beginning of the 1980s. In parallel with his debut in Formula 1 under the colors of Coloni (he will compete in 78 Grands Prix in total), Gabriele Tarquini will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans but also in the European Touring Championship. Away from F1 since 1995, the Transalpine found refuge in Tourism and GT where he experienced his best years. If he announced his retirement, Gabriel Tarquini could occasionally put on the suit again because the race is like " a drug " for him.

Photo Frédéric Le Floc'h / DPPI