Romain Febvre crowned in Australia under Raikkonen’s Kawasaki banner
Kimi Raikkonen has added a fresh chapter to his motorsport legacy — this time from the pit wall. As team principal of the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT), the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion oversaw Romain Febvre’s capture of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship in Australia, marking the French rider’s second MXGP crown and the first world title for KRT under Raikkonen’s stewardship.
Arriving in Darwin with a 47-point advantage over his nearest challenger, Febvre banked a measured fourth place in race one of the season finale. Adverse weather then forced the cancellation of race two, sealing the championship and delivering a landmark triumph for Kawasaki, KRT and Raikkonen as a team principal.
“Having raced in and won the Formula 1 World Championship, I understand how Romain must feel at this moment,” Raikkonen said. “I want to add my sincere congratulations to him, the Team, Kawasaki and also all the Kawasaki fans globally. We came into this project seeking to win and, as a team, that is what we have achieved. This has been the goal for me and Antti since the day we started – Mission Accomplished! Our thanks go to Romain, Pauls [Jonass] and Mathis [Valin] for their dedication and commitment. After celebrating, we will focus on repeating our success in MXGP in 2026 and also capturing the MX2 title as well.”
Raikkonen stepped away from Formula 1 after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, closing a storied career that delivered Ferrari’s most recent drivers’ crown. He took the helm at KRT in 2022 and has largely kept a low profile, occasionally reappearing for competitive outings including NASCAR Cup starts at Watkins Glen in 2022 and Circuit of the Americas in 2023.
What the title means for Kawasaki and MXGP
- First MXGP title for Kawasaki Racing Team under Raikkonen’s leadership.
- Second premier-class world championship for Romain Febvre.
- Momentum for Kawasaki to target a repeat in MXGP and pursue MX2 honors.
For Raikkonen, the victory underscores a seamless transition from driver to team builder, and for Febvre and Kawasaki, it validates a season defined by consistency, speed and composure under pressure.
