Kimi Räikkönen won from 17th on the grid, overtaking the race leader on the final lap in one of Formula One's most dramatic late recoveries.
Key Facts
- Race date
- 9 October 2005
- Championship round
- 18th of 19 (penultimate)
- Winner's starting position
- 17th on the grid
- Pole position
- Ralf Schumacher (his 6th and final)
- Circuit
- Suzuka International Racing Course
- Japanese GP running number
- 31st overall, 19th at Suzuka
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2005 Formula One World Championship reached its penultimate round at Suzuka, with Ralf Schumacher taking pole position for the final time in his career. Räikkönen, starting 17th after qualifying difficulties, faced a significant grid deficit, while Giancarlo Fisichella led much of the race from a strong position.
Kimi Räikkönen drove through the field from 17th place, executing numerous overtaking manoeuvres throughout the race. On the final lap, he passed long-time leader Giancarlo Fisichella to claim victory. Teammate Fernando Alonso, who also started 16th, completed the podium after a notable outside pass on Michael Schumacher at the 130R corner.
The win proved to be Räikkönen's last for McLaren and his last victory until the 2007 Australian Grand Prix. McLaren would not win again until the 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix. The result also stood as the last win by a driver starting so far down the grid until Max Verstappen's victory at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix.