F1: The King of Spa, Best of Kimi Raikkonen in the Belgian Grand Prix

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps motor-racing circuit has been hosting the Belgian Grand Prix consistently since 1985 every year except during 2003 and 2006. Despite its name, the circuit is not in Spa but lies in the vicinity of the town of Francorchamps.

The interesting part of Formula One is when certain drivers try to own certain racing tracks. Their best comes out in those alone. The Spa is one such circuit for the Iceman. The Finnish driver has won 4 times at the Spa-Francorchamps, most for him at any circuit. Three out of those 4 wins came in consecutive seasons. In his 11 outings at his favorite Spa, he has won on four occasions, finished once at 3rd and twice at 4th.

Kimi Raikkonen who has 99 podiums to his name as of now, would be licking his lips to make the 100th at his favorite Spa in the coming weekend. Lets now take a look at why Kimi Raikkonen is known as the King of Spa.

#5 Rage at Eau Rouge, 2012 Belgian GP

Kimi Raikkonen at his best during 2012 Belgium GP

After leaving Formula One racing for 2 years, trying his stints at Rallying and NASCAR, the Iceman returned to the domain where he is much better at, this time with Lotus. Raikkonen who has been literally taming the Spa circuit is probably the only driver who has aced at the Eau Rouge corner, which is considered to be the most challenging out of the 19 turns. The corner is basically a left-hander at the bottom, proceeding to the downhill is a steep right-hander towards uphill.

The Finn's comeback was marked in style when he overtook the legendary Schumacher at the Eau Rouge corner with his Lotus E20 was sheer brilliance. It can easily be said as one of the best overtaking maneuvers in the recent times. Though he could outwit Schumi who has 2 more wins than him at the same venue. Raikkonen with his mediocre car couldn't go past Button or Vettel who were racing with faster cars, finished the race at 3rd having started the race at 4th position.

#2 First Spa Day, 2004 Belgian GP

Kimi Raikkonen celebrating after his first win at Spa

Kimi Raikkonen's chance of getting his second Grand Prix win was very less when he qualified for the race at 10th place. As it was the lottery of the one-by-one qualifying system used at the time it was pure luck as to who got the better conditions. McLarens who were yet to get a win that season prior to this race never knew about the rising of the 'King of Spa' would be that race.

Kimi had his fortunes from the start of the race, the traffic jam at first corner got him hit at the right sidepod by Felippe Massa who was back then with Sauber. However, Kimi emerged from the bump unscathed and also finished the first lap at 5th place. At the 10th lap of the race, Trulli went in for the pit stop and when Kimi was about to gain the second spot, Alonso spun off the track giving away the lead to Kimi. From there on it was a faultless race from the iceman despite the Safety car interruptions throughout the race.

#3 Win wasn't enough, 2005 Belgian GP

Kimi Raikkonen celebrates his 2nd consecutive win at Spa

Sometimes a win isn't just good enough. Having won the Belgian Grand Prix for two consecutive years Kimi seemed to have celebrated less than Fernando Alonso who finished second. As finishing second Alonso went closer towards the season's title despite Raikkonen's sixth win that year. Unlike the 2004 season, McLaren in 2005 season was more competing and was on to an easy path for the Constructor's title if not for the Montoya's crash.

The pattern from the last race at Belgium seemed to repeat with McLarens dominating, and it was expected to see the McLarens at the top two. However, Montoya's clash with Pizzonia pushed the Mclaren 10 14th place from the lead. This paved way for the Renault's Alonso to hunt down to the second spot, making it a tough glimpse for Kimi through rearview mirrors. "A win is always a win" proclaimed the Finnish after winning the race just ahead of the season title competitor Fernando Alonso.

#4 Hat trick, 2007 Belgian GP

Kimi Raikkonen celebrates his hat-trick wins at Spa

More than Kimi there wouldn't have been anyone more upset when the Spa was dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2006. The organizer of the event went bankrupt in late 2005, so the planned improvements to the paddock and the race track was in halt. Before the Wallonia government stepped in and provided the necessary funds it was too late for the 2006 race to take place.

When Ferrari's took the front-line up having dominated the practice sessions and qualifying rounds, it was evident that all these years, McLaren wasn't the one that was dominating but it was the Finnish with McLaren back then. The order during the chequered flag was pretty much the same till eighth position compared to the start of the race, except for Heidfeld and Rosberg who swapped their positions. At 16th lap, Massa took the lead for a brief time until Raikkonen retook it back in the following lap after pit, to complete his hattrick at his favorite Spa.

#5 4th time charm, 2009 Belgian GP

Kimi Raikkonen celebrates his 4th win at Spa

Though Kimi has been showcasing his dominance every time he races at Belgian Grand Prix, it dates back 9 years to see the King of Spa's last win the Spa-Francorchamps. The 4th win for the Finnish racer at Spa came during the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix with the F-60, which happens to be the only win with it that season.

Having qualified for a 6th place start in the race, it was sheer talent and complete support from KERS that made it possible for the Finnish to hunt down the lead and maintain it till the chequered flag. The starting lap gave him a boost to 3-places push up the order. Then got better of Fisichella at lap 5 during the Safety car period by showing his supreme skills at the Eau Rouge corner and passed him on the way into Les Combes. From there on Kimi was flawless in defending the lead to the Force Indian driver who would later become his team-mate for five Grands Prix as from the next race.