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Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s gesture from the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this year, where they invited a young crying fan to join them in the hospitality area, is up for the Laureus “sporting moment of the year” award. After Raikkonen had retired early on lap one, television cameras focused on young Thomas Daniel decked in full Ferrari gear, crying at one of his heroes having to retire from the race.
The images caught fire on social media and prompted Ferrari to track him and his family down and invite him to the Ferrari hospitality area where he posed for a photograph with Raikkonen and was handed a signed cap. These sorts of pictures were seen as a symbol for the new direction for the sport under its new leadership of liberty Media, who are seemingly trying to make the sport more accessible and less elitist.
The award is run across all sports, and there will be six nominees each month from August until December, with each winner then going head to head for the final award at the 2018 awards ceremony. It is only the second time the award has been handed out, with last years winners being the Barcelona U12 team consoling their Japanese rivals after beating them 1-0 in the Junior soccer world challenge.The gesture is amongst the first set of nominees, and is currently leading the vote on 53%, some way ahead of Barcelona’s miraculous comeback in the champions league against PSG.
Sam Gale
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Replies (4)
Login to replyF1racefan97
Posts: 113
It really was incredible, certainly wouldn't have happened with Bernie around, he would have asked the kid to fork out hundreds for a paddock pass ?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
This was a great moment. However, I am certain it had very little to do with Raikkonen and more to do with some clever Ferrari PR/Marketing folk. Raikkonen showed up for literally 30 seconds and promptly disappeared after the picture was taken.
Xtreme
Posts: 53
@AJPENNYPACKER
It doesn't matter who's idea it was. It was great to see!!! Offcourse Kimi did not stay for long but he was there for the kid. Great move- Great smile...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@Xtreme it was a fantastic moment. I loved it. I'm just saying he doesn't deserve a Laureus Award because of it. Maybe the Ferrari team does.