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Formula one is known for its heart-stopping moments when drivers get inches closer to each other driving at 300kmph, those millimeters perfect overtakes and some high-speed crashes, enough to make your heart skip a beat.
Here is a heartwarming story of Kimi Raikkonen and his young fan Thomas Danel from the 2017 Spanish Grand Prix which was one of the most circulated posts in social media after the race.
Kimi started the race from P4 on the grid and crashed out of the race on the opening lap at the very first turn at the Circuit de Catalunya, TV cameras picked up a young fan dressed in the Ferrari outfit crying hysterically at the sight of his hero’s race coming to an end so early in the race.
Ferrari couldn’t miss the sight of the young boy and tracked him and his family down before inviting them to join Kimi and the team in the paddock.
Tears soon turned to smiles and Thomas and Kimi were pictured together in the Ferrari garage where he was presented with a team cap by the man himself.
The gesture went viral with fans around the world who took to social media to praise the Ferrari F1 team and Raikkonen.
In a press release circulated by F1 management after the race, the boy’s father, Coralie, said: “This has been the most fantastic day for us. We could not believe it when they came to get us and took us to Ferrari. This is great for fans like us, it really makes F1 and all of its people come alive. Brilliant!”
After meeting his hero, Thomas and his family then celebrated Sebastian Vettel’s second-place podium finish with the Ferrari team.
Thomas explained his emotional rollercoaster when interviewed by Sky Sports.
“Yes, I was sad (that he lost). Very, very sad. I cried,” he said.
Video - Best moments of Kimi and Thomas from the 2017 Spanish GP:
