Kimi Raikkonen Literally Gives Valtteri Bottas Pat On Back For First F1 Win

Given that Valtteri Bottas’ victory at Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix was his first in Formula One, he and his teammates understandably were excited. But it turns out drivers don’t have to be members of Mercedes-AMG Petronas to be proud of Bottas’ accomplishment.

After the race, Bottas was joined at a press conference by Scuderia Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, who finished P2 and P3, respectively. Like Bottas, Raikkonen is one of only eight Finnish drivers to have competed in F1.

But until Sunday, Raikkonen was the only Finn in the paddock who has won an F1 race. And as you’ll see below in a clip tweeted by F1 on Monday, Raikkonen had no problem welcoming Bottas to the exclusive club.

We’ll assume that means job well done in Kimi speak.

Considering how competitive Mercedes and Ferrari are this season, we probably won’t see much more good will between the two teams. Still, Bottas must be thrilled only to get the monkey off his back, especially with a one-year contract hanging over his head.

Thumbnail photo via Ferrari