Top 5 controversies of the 2018 F1 season

Kimi's ouster from Ferrari

F1 Grand Prix of Italy, Bwoah!

Truth be told, the 2018 F1 season was clearly the best of Raikkonen's career from the perspective of his second-wind at Ferrari.

It was to be a year where the laconic Finn would prove his detractors wrong by managing to put his car right on top at the US GP, thus ending the draught where race wins were concerned.

In winning the US GP, it could be said, Raikkonen served a fiery blow to his critics who'd confined themselves to a culture of Kimi-bashing, a trend for which, it could be said, Raikkonen's absence on the top of the podium could be held mightily responsible.

Also, 2018 would see the 'Iceman' deliver Formula 1's fastest-ever lap, an effort that was observed with incredible reception at Monza as the Ferrari driver blazed a trail with gusto and daring, driving at 1:19:119 in the battle for qualifying to set the record for the fastest lap.

Yet, all of these brave feats would come to be challenged by the news of Raikkonen's ouster from Ferrari.

This was confirmed at Monza, the home of the Italian Grand Prix, which was another interesting contest for Kimi, who, despite losing out to Hamilton, clearly the better driver in the race, notched up his 100th podium, albeit facing the inner strife of having been told to make way for Charles Leclerc for 2019.

But then again, could there have been a better way to prove Ferrari his worth, other than finishing on the podium, at a track where the Tifosi came in great numbers to rave for the Scuderia?

Raikkonen, before being told to leave, inspired what might be remembered in future too, as a famous effort initiated by his loyal fans who started a petition to urge Ferrari to keep the Iceman in the team. How many drivers can manage that popularity despite being at the fag end of their careers?