Räikkönen has been particularly disappointed in this season's results.
One would think that Räikkönen's public image is causing him even more grief than the probable failure to win the drivers' title.
Numerous stories of binges and "tired and emotional" behaviour have created an image of a driver who drinks at every opportunity.
When Michael Schumacher commented at a press conference in Spa that he would like to have a drink with Räikkönen, the gathering of journalists burst out laughing as everybody pictured them both legless.
Räikkönen is likely to carry the reputation of a heavy drinking driver for the rest of his driving career. But how does it make him feel?
Räikkönen has been a celebrity for five years, ever since he broke into Formula One as a much-hyped child prodigy.
Yet somehow it seems that he still hasn't quite accepted his status.
Hence the question must be asked: when comparing your life with the lives of your friends out of the spotlight, are you tempted to swap places?
The same story was also published in Finland, yet nobody seemed to think such behaviour would have been distinctly unlikely during a two-day stint testing his McLaren-Mercedes.
Räikkönen won at Spa on Sunday, but it did not help his cause very much: Fernando Alonso finished second and the gap between the two men remained a daunting 25 points.
(end)
"Naturally I'm upset as I'm losing the title for a second time", he says.
"Currently the point margin is even bigger than it was in 2003. This year we had a car which could have potentially enabled us to win races and take the championship, whereas in 2003 the car wasn't really competitive. However back then it was our reliability that allowed us to climb up the points. If anything, this year has been a bigger disappointment, considering all the potential we had back in March."
One would think that Räikkönen's public image is causing him even more grief than the probable failure to win the drivers' title.
Numerous stories of binges and "tired and emotional" behaviour have created an image of a driver who drinks at every opportunity.
When Michael Schumacher commented at a press conference in Spa that he would like to have a drink with Räikkönen, the gathering of journalists burst out laughing as everybody pictured them both legless.
Räikkönen is likely to carry the reputation of a heavy drinking driver for the rest of his driving career. But how does it make him feel?
"At the beginning of my career I was very disappointed in the way the papers wrote about me. I still am, but I refuse to let it change my life. Even if the stories contain a grain of truth, they're solely used to sell papers. I read the stories and laugh at them", Räikkönen says.
"It doesn't seem to matter what I have in my glass, as everybody always assumes I'm drinking alcohol. I've been in a nightclub on several occasions and behaved myself, but on the following morning I've read from the papers that I've been thrown out of this or that nightclub. Many people get bitter if I don't sign autographs, and they know people who write these stories. However, I refuse to let these things destroy my life."
Räikkönen has been a celebrity for five years, ever since he broke into Formula One as a much-hyped child prodigy.
Yet somehow it seems that he still hasn't quite accepted his status.
Hence the question must be asked: when comparing your life with the lives of your friends out of the spotlight, are you tempted to swap places?
"If I could choose, I'd be a normal person but I know it's not possible", Räikkönen replies. "In many ways it would be ideal if I could be an F1 driver but lead a normal life. When I go out with my wife or my friends there's always somebody bothering me at the very moment I want to be left alone."Räikkönen doesn't accept the claim that publicity is one of the very factors that make Formula One drivers the royalty of motor sports.
"My life isn't what the papers make it out to be", Räikkönen states. "I still do things that I like and if the papers choose to write about them, well, let them do so."Räikkönen's relationship with the media is precisely the same as with everything else he regards as irrelevant to his driving: he just tries to block it out of his mind.
"However, there's a limit to everything", he says, and he is referring to a recent piece published in the German magazine AutoBild motorsportmagazine.The story claimed that Räikkönen was blind drunk and ran naked through the gardens of Monza during a test session at the Italian track.
The same story was also published in Finland, yet nobody seemed to think such behaviour would have been distinctly unlikely during a two-day stint testing his McLaren-Mercedes.
"In this case the magazine ran the story without even bothering to find out if the rumours they heard had any truth to them", Räikkönen says.Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 10.9.2005
"We're thinking of suing the paper in order to put a stop to articles of this sort being published."
Räikkönen won at Spa on Sunday, but it did not help his cause very much: Fernando Alonso finished second and the gap between the two men remained a daunting 25 points.
(end)
11/29/2008 02:01:00 p.m.
No comments
MANAMA (Reuters) - Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen said on Thursday he would like to follow his Ferrari predecessor Michael Schumacher in trying out a MotoGP bike.
Schumacher, the seven times world champion who retired at the end of 2006, took part in his first competitive motorcycle race in Italy at the weekend after previously trying out Ducati's MotoGP machine.
"I only saw some pictures but I don't know anything about it," Raikkonen told reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix when asked if he seen Schumacher's race.
"I never tried road racing. I have done motocross often and that is more normal for me," added the Finn, who is chasing his second Formula One victory in a row on Sunday after last month's triumph in Malaysia.
"For sure I want to try the MotoGP bikes once, but we'll see."
Schumacher finished fourth in his KTM minor series race at Misano on Sunday and recorded the second fastest lap.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; editing by Trevor Huggins)
Schumacher, the seven times world champion who retired at the end of 2006, took part in his first competitive motorcycle race in Italy at the weekend after previously trying out Ducati's MotoGP machine.
"I only saw some pictures but I don't know anything about it," Raikkonen told reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix when asked if he seen Schumacher's race.
"I never tried road racing. I have done motocross often and that is more normal for me," added the Finn, who is chasing his second Formula One victory in a row on Sunday after last month's triumph in Malaysia.
"For sure I want to try the MotoGP bikes once, but we'll see."
Schumacher finished fourth in his KTM minor series race at Misano on Sunday and recorded the second fastest lap.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; editing by Trevor Huggins)
11/28/2008 11:14:00 p.m.
No comments
(…)
(Travelling with his good friend Kalle Jokinen, Räikkönen’s mechanic during his karting years)
The two of them set off to London in a battered Renault Clio for an agreed meeting with David Robertson. The location for the meeting was the Thistle Hotel in Brands Hatch. Robertson’s son Steve had himself been on the race track in 1990 (among other occasions) in the British F3 series during the so-called “Mika-Mika” year when the Finns Mika Häkkinen and Mika Salo had been fighting for overall victory in the competition. The Räikkönen/Jokinen conquest of the world looked as if it had come to a premature halt at the border crossing between Holland and France, when the vehicle’s Dutch number plates turned out to be a problem. The border guard waved his hand at the two Finnish passports and looked at the car.
“Those passports and this car. Hmmm… I’ve nothing that tells me whether you have permission to drive that vehicle,” he said. The two Finns had no choice but to turn the car around and set off back in the direction they‘d come, searching the map for other border crossing points.
(…)
People working close to them said that the Robertsons’ behaviour towards Räikkönen was akin to worship. It was difficult for them to say anything remotely negative about their protégé, whatever actually happened. This approach was perhaps based on the early stage of their relationship and the Renault Formula competition in which Räikkönen’s success was more the rule than the exception. On one occasion, when Kimi failed to gain pole position on the starting grid, the Robertsons investigated. They recalled that Räikkönen had taken a phone call just before the time trials. The party on the other end was eventually identified as Paula, Kimi’s mother, and the subject as a difference of opinion over his girlfriend of the moment. According to Räikkönen, he shouted at his managers, demanding that his private affairs should never again be interfered with in such a way. Although David Robertson was obviously only trying his best to find out whether something was wrong, Räikkönen was clearly upset about the way that things had been handled.
(Travelling with his good friend Kalle Jokinen, Räikkönen’s mechanic during his karting years)
The two of them set off to London in a battered Renault Clio for an agreed meeting with David Robertson. The location for the meeting was the Thistle Hotel in Brands Hatch. Robertson’s son Steve had himself been on the race track in 1990 (among other occasions) in the British F3 series during the so-called “Mika-Mika” year when the Finns Mika Häkkinen and Mika Salo had been fighting for overall victory in the competition. The Räikkönen/Jokinen conquest of the world looked as if it had come to a premature halt at the border crossing between Holland and France, when the vehicle’s Dutch number plates turned out to be a problem. The border guard waved his hand at the two Finnish passports and looked at the car.
“Those passports and this car. Hmmm… I’ve nothing that tells me whether you have permission to drive that vehicle,” he said. The two Finns had no choice but to turn the car around and set off back in the direction they‘d come, searching the map for other border crossing points.
(…)
People working close to them said that the Robertsons’ behaviour towards Räikkönen was akin to worship. It was difficult for them to say anything remotely negative about their protégé, whatever actually happened. This approach was perhaps based on the early stage of their relationship and the Renault Formula competition in which Räikkönen’s success was more the rule than the exception. On one occasion, when Kimi failed to gain pole position on the starting grid, the Robertsons investigated. They recalled that Räikkönen had taken a phone call just before the time trials. The party on the other end was eventually identified as Paula, Kimi’s mother, and the subject as a difference of opinion over his girlfriend of the moment. According to Räikkönen, he shouted at his managers, demanding that his private affairs should never again be interfered with in such a way. Although David Robertson was obviously only trying his best to find out whether something was wrong, Räikkönen was clearly upset about the way that things had been handled.
11/27/2008 10:41:00 p.m.
No comments
Winter in Bahrain, all the Ferraris he wants and a £25m pay packet – it's a hard life for Kimi Räikkönen. Live meets him in the Gulf to talk about cars, how he beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2007 F1 title – and why he'll beat him again this year
On the side of Kimi Räikkönen's helmet is inscribed the word "Iceman". The Formula 1 world champion, who broke Lewis Hamilton's heart by pipping him at the death by a single point at last October's Brazilian Grand Prix, is known for his ice-cool attitude to most things in life.
"I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit to being a quick guy in a car," he deadpans.
"I'm not that patient in traffic. Yes, I have been fined. Sometimes the limits are very strict for the road conditions.
"Luckily, I've never had a crash in a road car, although I've had a few in Formula 1.
"I'd better not say the fastest speed I've ever driven on a road, but it was in Germany, where there are many stretches with no speed limit... Let's just say the car could go 190mph."
The Ferrari driver has just lapped the Sakhir circuit, Bahrain, in a blistering 1min 30.595secs, more than two seconds quicker than last year's pole-position time.
When he emerged from the cockpit after the morning session there was barely a bead of sweat on his forehead, and certainly no flicker of emotion. The Finn doesn't give much away.
After a brief lunch, he takes a spin in his other Ferrari, a 612 Scaglietti, but he's not looking for lap records this time.
Instead, he finds a suitable spot on the 3.4-mile, £100 million state-of-the-art circuit, then gets out and poses on the Tarmac for these exclusive pictures.
The temperature in the pit lane is 24°C but it's hotter still out on the race track, so beneath his black top Räikkönen's dressed down in a pair of camouflage shorts and trainers.
A peaked cap shields his eyes from the fierce Middle Eastern sun.
Ferrari have got the place pretty much to themselves.
Toyota are the only other F1 team to have made the trip to this tiny island state – home to just 600,000 – while the rest of the F1 grid battle with the Spanish winter at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
The isolation suits the world champion.
He doesn't like crowds and prefers to be left alone to do his job.
He's notorious for responding to reporters' post-race questions with one-word answers.
Today he seems more relaxed; he's happy to talk. Perhaps he's mellowed after achieving his childhood fantasy – not winning the world title, but owning a Ferrari. "It was always my dream," he says.
"There aren't many Ferraris in Finland, but for me they've always symbolised speed.
"Even before I signed for the Scuderia [Ferrari F1 team] I had bought one. Now I'm lucky enough to drive any Ferrari I want, like this 612 Scaglietti, a real grand tourer."
No doubt Räikkönen gets them for free, but he could easily afford one.
The £25 million salary Ferrari offered to tear him away from McLaren for the 2007 season (filling the legendary shoes of Michael Schumacher) makes him F1's highest-paid driver. Far from feeling the pressure, though, the champ can be found sleeping as little as 20 minutes before the start of a grand prix.
Off the track, he is a completely different animal.
In Finland, he and his beautiful wife Jenni Dahlman, a former Miss Scandinavia, are the most famous couple in a country with the population of south London.
Known for his penchant for clubs and vodka, fun-loving Räikkönen enjoys snowboarding and playing ice hockey, and was once seen passed out outside a Spanish bar, clutching an inflatable dolphin.
Last March, days before the first grand prix of the season in Melbourne, he entered a powerboat race with two friends dressed in a gorilla suit under the pseudonym James Hunt, after the British F1 champion who lived life to the full and died tragically young from a heart attack.
Räikkönen, who likes to win at everything, took a prize – but only for the best-dressed crew.
Like so many sporting greats, Räikkönen comes from a humble background.
His father, Matti, drove heavy road machinery in Espoo, near Helsinki, while his mother, Paula, worked as a clerk.
Kimi and his older brother, Rami (now a rally driver), spent much of their childhood with their grandfather, who arranged their first driving lessons.
"My grandparents' house was in the same yard as ours, but ours was smaller," says Räikkönen.
"The toilet was outside, and every year my father promised my mother we would build one inside, but there was always something else to spend money on."
That something else turned out to be motor racing.
Räikkönen started on bikes before switching to karts aged ten. Immediately he started to win.
"When we started racing, our cars were basic," he says.
"We bought spare parts other people didn't want or repaired broken stuff.
"I've always loved getting my hands on an engine, whatever it is. As a kid I was a mechanic for a kart team run by a friend and even today I enjoy tuning my friends' engines.
"Two or three times back in the early days we thought we'd have to give up because we had no money."
The lack of funds explains his first car.
"It was a Lada," he admits, with a smile.
"I've had better cars since then, like my Mercedes DTM and a white Audi Q7. My daily transport at the moment is an Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 JTS [Ferrari's parent company Fiat also owns Alfa], but whenever I get home I drive my red Ferrari Enzo, even though my favourite colour for a car is black.
"To be honest, I tend to go for cars without too many gadgets. I like them sporty and kitted out with just the basics.
The young Räikkönen took to motor racing like the proverbial duck to water.
After becoming an international karting champion, he impressed in the Formula Renault UK Championships so much he was signed up by the Sauber F1 team in 2001 aged 20 – even before he had the "Super Licence" required to compete in grands prix. Räikkönen rewarded Sauber with a point on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
A year later, he moved to McLaren, becoming an instant title contender for the next four years. But during his time there he also had to complete his Finnish military service.
"It was a little bit difficult because I was flying back and forth to Finland all the time," he says.
"I was allowed 70 days for races – and if you did well you got a few extra."
On one occasion he was briefly jailed by the army for going AWOL, and top brass had to be persuaded to let him out to compete in a race at Donington Park. He duly won it.
Winning the world championship is only the start for the Finn, who admits he wants to try other forms of racing one day.
"I once tried out a rally car and it was great fun," he says.
"When I'm finished with F1, I'd like to compete in a real rally.
"I like to drive anything with an engine and do so as often as I can. When I'm back in Finland I love to take a snowmobile through the woods."
What is it about Finland and driving? Apart from a clutch of world rally stars, the Finns have clocked up three F1 world champions, with Räikkönen joining past champions Keke Rosberg and Mika Häkkinen.
"I think the reason why we have had so many champions is because of the driving conditions back home," he explains, gazing out over a Middle Eastern terrain far removed from Finland.
"You have to teach yourself to deal with unusual conditions right from the start. Also, it's natural that once you have great champions on the scene, the youngsters want to emulate them."
That said, these days Räikkönen spends much of his time abroad, living as a tax exile in Switzerland. Until recently he was also based in Britain – in Chigwell of all places, where he lived with his manager.
For all the talk of rally driving, the Finn is far from finished with F1, and he has every intention of keeping hold of the world title he fought so hard to obtain. He's particularly looking forward to two races at the world's most challenging circuits.
"Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium is the most beautiful on the calendar, and the most demanding from a technical point of view.
"Monaco is very special, so out of this world that it is really thrilling. Driving a race car through the city streets, with the sea on one side and palaces on the other, is always incredible."
As always, before the start of the new season, there is much speculation concerning which car is the quickest, and whether the removal of traction control will make a difference. Räikkönen thinks not.
"From a driving point of view it doesn't change much, because after a few days in testing you get used to it.
"I'd be very surprised if it isn't another big fight for the title. I expect Ferrari and McLaren to be challenging hard again, but also Renault, now that Alonso is back with them, and BMW-Sauber, who did so well last year.
"There are so many good drivers in F1 right now that plenty more are capable of getting on the podium, too.
"Last season was unforgettable for me, not only because I won the world title for the first time, but also because I was so far behind the leaders at one stage but never gave up believing."
The bad news for his rivals is that the Iceman is pleased with his new car, the F2008.
"The car has been quick and reliable, but we'll only find out where we are compared to the other teams at the Australian Grand Prix next month."
Räikkönen won it last year – thrashing the rest of the field in the process. This year he's got a new car and new rules to contend with. But it will take more than that to throw the ice-cool Finn off course.
11/26/2008 10:49:00 p.m.
No comments
Petri Nevalainen: The Iceman – A Portrait of Kimi Räikkönen
(Jäämies - Kimi Räikkösen henkilökuva)
Ajatus Kirjat 2008
224 pages
Cover design: Jenni Noponen
ISBN 978-951-20-7805-9
Excerpts from the book translated by Raymond Carter
…)
Finland’s 2007 midsummer celebrations were just around the corner, and the Formula One drivers’ season was approaching its half-way point. The second part of the American section of the tour, the seventh race in the series, would take place at Indianapolis. Even though many distracting thoughts must have been running through Kimi Räikkönen’s mind in a location so far from home, he showed no external signs of this. But the wish to speak to his old friend Kalle Jokinen just wouldn’t go away. According to Jokinen, his mobile phone rang on that Indianapolis weekend while he was in a karaoke bar with friends. The caller was Räikkönen, who said that the team had a lot of work to do to build a car that would see off McLaren. Then Kimi obviously recognised from the background noise that his friend was not at work.
”Could you go and sing ‘Truck driver’ for me,” he said. “And leave the line open while you’re singing. It helps, because sometimes it’s a little lonely out here.” Jokinen did as he’d been asked and went off to perform Matti Esko’s version of Räikkönen’s favourite song at the top of his voice. Another of Kimi’s karaoke favourites is Kari Tapio’s ”Pole position” - for obvious reasons. Thanking his friend, Räikkönen said he’d get in touch later.
(…)
Räikkönen’s fans had to cope with an extra ration of nervousness as they followed the last laps and the battle between Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for 4th, 5th and 6th place. Even though they were only driving to beat each other, their final positions would have an effect on the struggle for the championship. Quite unexpectedly, they had been given the decider’s role in the bigger battle. While everyone was concentrating on Räikkönen and Hamilton, the fierce tussle between these three turned into the heart of the competition. On several occasions, it looked as if they would force each other off the circuit. Tyres were smoking and brakes were locking up, but the trio kept going. On this occasion, luck was at last on Räikkönen’s side. He won the race, and Hamilton was unable to do better than seventh position. After this incredible phase, this meant that Räikkönen became only the third Finn to win the world championship!
“It’s difficult to find any words,” he said after the victory. “My feelings are so strong.“
(…)
(Comment by Jean Todt)
”Kimi’s focus on the job he’s doing is absolute. He wants to succeed and has all the necessary motivation. He’s also normal in the sense that he’s not always happy with the way things are at any point in time. The team supports him in every way, and the results have been good, says Todt. According to him, Räikkönen did not make a single unnecessary complaint during the whole of the 2007 season.
“That’s how he’s made. He’ll open his mouth when it’s the right thing to do, and he doesn’t speak without good reason.
“He’s an easy guy to work with. He gets straight to the point and concentrates on the essence. He’s able to say “Yes” or “No” as the situation demands. For the team this is good, because his answers are always clear and they don’t have to wonder what the question might have been.
11/25/2008 10:31:00 p.m.
No comments
Now who can say Kimi isn't a sport :P?
11/24/2008 10:29:00 p.m.
No comments
Hmm, Kimi once said "I'm a bit lazy somethimes"... that's exactly what I was on 2008 :P here are the 18 signs I had in the forum this year :) hope you like them
11/23/2008 01:54:00 p.m.
No comments
Q. Kimi, to what extent is the season now finished for you personally?
For the Drivers' Championship, but there are still two races to try to win the Constructors' Championship but we will do the best that we can for the last two remaining races.Q. Does anything change for you in these last two races?
Of course, in one way because were fighting hard for the Drivers' Championship and for me personally it is more important than the others but of course I want to do the best for the team also but it's not so exciting any more.Q. So, what has been the most significant point for you this season?
I think once we got back to Europe, the package started to go better, we got the best out of the car and the package, so I think that was the important part of the season and then we started winning. Of course it was nice to win the races and we aimed to win the Championship also but anyhow we did the best we could and we will try next year again.Q. So what have you learned this year?
I don't know what I've learned really. Of course, you always learn from mistakes from your driving in races, but nothing really significant.Q. Your hopes for 2006?
We will try to fight for the Championship and try to win it but with all the new rules we don't know what's going to happen next year. But I think we will have a good package anyhow and hopefully it will be good enough for winning races and fighting for the Championship.Q. And in ten years time, can you see yourself still racing?
I don't know. I think that is too far away. It all really depends what in the coming years. If you enjoy it then maybe you will keep going, but ten years is quite a long time so I don't know.Q. Finally, there is continuous speculation about you and Ferrari. Can you make a comment?
They're not new rumours, they are already three years old. But of course, now, everyone knows that my contract is only to next year with McLaren so maybe it becomes more exciting to write those rumours but the fact is that I have a contract next year and I'm happy with the team and for sure the car will also be good next year and I don't see any reason to go anywhere else. OK, after next year, we will see again, but I'm happy to stay.
11/22/2008 02:12:00 p.m.
No comments
Q: Kimi, a sensational win from you from 17th on the grid, first of all talk us through the first lap, I think a bit of contact with your team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya.
“Yeah, there was quite a lot happening in the first and second corner so I was turning into the second corner and Montoya touched me on the rear wheel a little bit and got sideways and he got past me but luckily enough we didn’t damage our cars, so it was alright. The first lap was quite exciting but I ran wide in the chicane and then unfortunately for him he something happened to him and he went off but otherwise it was a good race.”Q: Then some sensational competition and Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.
“Yeah, I was behind them but unfortunately we had a slight problem with the gearing and seventh gear was a little bit too short and every now and then when I got really close I started to hit the rev limiter so it was very difficult to get past people but in the end the car started to get better and better all the time and we were able to catch up in the later part of the race.”Q: Well it looked like a phenomenal move at the end there on Giancarlo, talk us through that.
“Yeah, just before my last pit stop I was able to go fast and I pulled out a bit of a gap and I was not too far behind any more when I came out so I thought maybe I would have a chance to catch him up and try to overtake and just into the last lap I was able to get him on the main straight and then I started to hit the rev limiter again but I just went as quickly as I could outside on the first corner and luckily I made it through, so it was very good.”Q: Obviously it was a disappointment not securing the Drivers’ Championship but how does this race rank in your mind in terms of enjoyment and achievement?
“Of course, it was much more difficult than any other of my wins but in one way it is much nicer when you have to fight for it. So it is one of the best ones. It was great, you know, with all the problems in practice with the engine, then the ten-place penalty and all the problems in qualifying with the weather. We were still able to win and now we have a perfect place for qualifying in the last race.”Q: Kimi, what are your thoughts going into China. With the Constructor’ Championship as close as it is, it is going to be a tense finale to the season.
“Yeah, it is going to be a nice race for both teams I think. Last year our car was pretty quick there and I quite like the circuit, so for sure we will try to win the race and hopefully we can win the championship too for the team. We just need to do the best we can and we will see at the end of the race what happens.Q: Kimi, how does that win rate for you?
“I think it is one of the best for sure, maybe the best one, because I really had to fight for it and after all the problems we had this weekend, it was very nice.”Q: It certainly looked fantastic from outside, what was it like inside?
“Yeah, there was quite a lot happening during the race all the time. There was traffic and I was not really able to run at my own speed, in the clean air, only at the end. It was exciting with some nice overtaking and it is always nice when you can fight like this.”Q: You and Fernando had fantastic opening laps, were you a little bit more held up than Fernando?
“Actually I went a little bit straight in the last chicane, I tried to overtake in some places and then the safety car came out. Montoya touched me a bit at the rear tyre, so I got sideways and lost a place from him but apart from that it was pretty okay.”Q: And behind Michael as well.
“Yeah, after the pit stop I was able to get past him. He made a little mistake and I was quicker than him on the main straight but I had a little bit too short seventh gear, so I was hitting the limiter.”Q: And then the vital later second stop got you past Webber and Button.
“Yeah, I was quicker than them but I was just closing up and I was not able to get a good run on them and I knew they were going to stop before me, so I had two laps to really push and try to gain time. I was able to pull a little bit away from them and then after the last pit stop I saw that he was not so far away and there were seven laps to go, so I went as quickly as I could and luckily I caught him on the last lap and got past him.”
11/21/2008 02:08:00 p.m.
No comments
How old were you when you first became interested in cars / speed / racing?
Growing up, which drivers do you remember watching and who were you impressed by?
When did you think you might become pretty good yourself and why?
Wouldn’t it make sense if all testing was banned? More time for snowmobiling, less expensive for the teams and still the same for everybody!
But that’s unlikely, so what do you find most useful about testing, personally?
While you’re testing and racing, how aware are you of the part you play in helping develop new technologies, like Shell V-Power, for example?
What was your most satisfying Grand Prix win ever?
What were your main reasons for joining Ferrari from McLaren?
Is Ferrari just another team for you or does the immense history and list of its previous great drivers ever cross your mind? Does Ferrari feel different in this way?
Many fans don’t understand how much the driver does during a race. Can you talk us through some of the things you have to do while racing – brake adjustments, driving around problems etc…
What’s the best thing about your job?
And the worst?
Right from when I was very little, I was interested in anything that had an engine. If I had not become a driver, I would certainly have been a mechanic.
Growing up, which drivers do you remember watching and who were you impressed by?
I never had a hero or an idol. My friends tell me I should have raced in the Seventies when maybe Formula 1 was less formal and I would definitely liked to have known James Hunt.
When did you think you might become pretty good yourself and why?
That’s not for me to say. I always wanted to be a racing driver and I gave it everything I had to do that. From then on, it’s my results that speak for me.
Wouldn’t it make sense if all testing was banned? More time for snowmobiling, less expensive for the teams and still the same for everybody!
No, I’d be asked to spend more time on the simulator! But joking aside, I think the current situation is pretty well balanced. We don’t test as much as we used to a few years back and we work more efficiently.
But that’s unlikely, so what do you find most useful about testing, personally?
I just love driving a Formula 1 car, which means I even like testing.
While you’re testing and racing, how aware are you of the part you play in helping develop new technologies, like Shell V-Power, for example?
In a sport as finely honed as Formula 1, where the difference between first and last is measured in tenths of a second, you have to push to the limits in terms of car development, in all areas. As far as the engine is concerned, we are currently in a particularly special stage, where development on certain components is frozen for a few years. This means we can have a fuel or an engine oil that gives us a few horsepower more, a gearbox oil that improves lubrication and makes such an important component more reliable and that is a really vital point.
What was your most satisfying Grand Prix win ever?
Hard to say as all the wins are great. Of course, the first one and the one in Interlagos last year which meant I was world champion will always stay with me.
What were your main reasons for joining Ferrari from McLaren?
Simply a desire to change after so many years with the same team. I felt comfortable at McLaren, just as I feel comfortable at Ferrari. The two teams are different because of their different character, but both share a common desire to get the very best results.
Is Ferrari just another team for you or does the immense history and list of its previous great drivers ever cross your mind? Does Ferrari feel different in this way?
There is definitely a special atmosphere at Maranello and you can feel the special appeal of a marque that is part of racing history. It’s nice and I’m proud to be part of this history.
Many fans don’t understand how much the driver does during a race. Can you talk us through some of the things you have to do while racing – brake adjustments, driving around problems etc…
That’s true, from the outside it is difficult to understand all the details of what happens on track. First and foremost there is so much work that one does along with the engineers when the car is in the garage: defining the set up, the day’s work programme, strategies. Then, when you are sitting in the cockpit, there are so many parameters you can control: the brake balance, some engine and electrical parameters, the gearbox. Then there are unexpected situations such as the arrival of the safety car and specific moments that require you to go through complex programmes such as the start. This year, with the introduction of a standard electronic control unit, there are slightly less things to do, but next year, new parameters will come into play, such as the electronic control of the flap on the front wing and the boost switches linked to the energy accumulated through the KERS system.What makes a great driver, in your view?
In the end what matters are the result, but one has to take into account that in the current Formula 1, the car remains the dominant factor. Without a competitive car, you can’t win, no matter how talented you are.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Driving and racing to win – there’s nothing else.
And the worst?
Speaking in public?? Honestly, it’s not a strong point of mine, but I know it’s part of my job and I have to accept it as such
11/20/2008 06:45:00 p.m.
No comments
"For me, the ideal would be to drive in Formula 1 and enjoy a normal life"
By Juha Päätalo in Spa-Francorchamps
When it comes down to it, who is Kimi Räikkönen?
Perhaps the fastest driver in Formula One racing at the moment? Maybe, but he is still probably not going to take the 2005 Drivers' World Championship, because his McLaren-Mercedes car has let him down too many times this season, while Fernando Alonso's Renault keeps on going and delivers podium positions to its driver with Swiss-watch regularity.
Or is Räikkönen "Finland's biggest A-list celeb"? Undoubtedly that, too. But this is a role Räikkönen would gladly surrender.
The biggest star in Finnish sport right now? Probably, yes. Aki Hintsa, the personal physician to the 25-year-old from Espoo regards Räikkönen as a once-in-a-century find: a sporting gold nugget the size of your fist.
"Räikkönen's ability to conceptualise three-dimensional space is quite out of this world. His test results are off the chart, quite the best I have ever seen", says Hintsa with more than an ounce of admiration in his voice.
Räikkönen just shrugs, however, as he sits in the pit area at the Spa track. He has no truck with test-results.
"Aki is a doctor and he doesn't know anything about driving", laughs Räikkönen during our interview.
"As long as I'm going fast in a car, I really don't think too much about what it is I'm seeing."
This is nevertheless precisely the response Hintsa expected Räikkönen to offer up. "Kimi is very reluctant to draw attention to himself. However, he is incredibly observant."
Räikkönen's way of thinking is very straightforward. When the conversation turns to Alonso and to the fact many consider him [Räikkönen] to be the faster driver of the two, Räikkönen finds little consolation in this.
"I want to win", he says. "And if somebody other than me wins the Drivers' World Championship, nothing that people think of me can change that. The driver who has the most points at the end of the season is the new champion. Simple as that."
(end of part I)
11/19/2008 01:03:00 p.m.
No comments
11/18/2008 12:55:00 p.m.
No comments
11/17/2008 10:21:00 p.m.
No comments
11/16/2008 10:55:00 p.m.
No comments
F1 star who is currently on holidays enjoyed winter.
Other quests were for example Suvi Linden( transportation and communicationsminister),Jari Piirainen( ex-skiing association chairman),freestyle olympic winner Janne Lahtela, ex-icehockey coach Erkka Westerlund and few FIS bosses who were very pleased to organization.
Kimi was sitting in corner table with Kalle Palander about two hours.He was dressed very casually with jeans and black cap on his head. Obviously he was on very relaxed mood.
WATCHING WOMENS SLALOM
On saturday Kimi watched womens slalom world cup with his friends in Levi Black.After the cup event he stayed at Calsberg restaurant with them. On sunday he was seen in the audience during mens world cup.
He stayed over night a few kilometers away from Levi center.
F1 champ Kimi Räikkönen spend a weekend at Levi (finland) during a slalom world cup. Kimi didnt play hide and seek at his cottage but was attended in VIP event at friday night.
Other quests were for example Suvi Linden( transportation and communicationsminister),Jari Piirainen( ex-skiing association chairman),freestyle olympic winner Janne Lahtela, ex-icehockey coach Erkka Westerlund and few FIS bosses who were very pleased to organization.
Kimi was sitting in corner table with Kalle Palander about two hours.He was dressed very casually with jeans and black cap on his head. Obviously he was on very relaxed mood.
WATCHING WOMENS SLALOM
On saturday Kimi watched womens slalom world cup with his friends in Levi Black.After the cup event he stayed at Calsberg restaurant with them. On sunday he was seen in the audience during mens world cup.
He stayed over night a few kilometers away from Levi center.
11/15/2008 10:53:00 p.m.
No comments
The F1 season ended last weekend, but the drivers' work with the media and the sponsors continues. Ferrari's spokesman Luca Colojanni is happy with the job Kimi Raikkonen is doing outside the races.
Especially in Italy people are often baffled by Kimi's way with words as he doesn't speak too much.
Through the already ended 2008 season the Italian press occasionally critisised Raikkonen's performances with some harsh words. This hasn't surprised the Ferrari team.
Before leaving Ferrari's spokesman yet again gave praise to Kimi's faithful and honest attitude.
Kimi is a true professional. He always follows the schedules given by the media and the sponsors, Colojanni said to MTV3.
Especially in Italy people are often baffled by Kimi's way with words as he doesn't speak too much.
It's true that he's not the most talkative person in the world. There are also good sides in it. When he has something to say, he really says it and won't start playing with the words. I like working with Kimi. He's a nice guy, Colojanni stated.
Through the already ended 2008 season the Italian press occasionally critisised Raikkonen's performances with some harsh words. This hasn't surprised the Ferrari team.
This season was tough for him and critisism did increase. We knew to expect it as this is how it's always been, Colojanni expressed.
Before leaving Ferrari's spokesman yet again gave praise to Kimi's faithful and honest attitude.
The picture you get from Kimi is real. He's not showing off. He's not putting on any special role for the media or when he's being friendly to people. Even if he was in bad mood he behaves professionally. There's nothing to improve, Colojanni convinced.
11/14/2008 10:50:00 p.m.
No comments
11/13/2008 10:42:00 p.m.
No comments
.............
Despite his anger, however, di Montezemolo has said he is now philosophical about what happened.
"I reckon that in the history of F1, we have never seen a world championship decided on the last bend of the last lap of the last Grand Prix," he said. "And we've never seen a driver crossing the finish line as a world champion."
"Miracles, when they happen, usually only happen once. I say that because last year was a miracle. A repeat is usually impossible. In Brazil, with Massa, we were in the process of producing another miracle."
And di Montezemolo made special reference to the efforts of Kimi Raikkonen this year who, although out the hunt for the drivers' championship, played a key role in allowing Ferrari to win the constructors' title.
He did first of all joke, however, that Raikkonen did not appear to be himself in the final part of the season – when he was left firmly in the shadow by Massa.
Despite his anger, however, di Montezemolo has said he is now philosophical about what happened.
"I reckon that in the history of F1, we have never seen a world championship decided on the last bend of the last lap of the last Grand Prix," he said. "And we've never seen a driver crossing the finish line as a world champion."
"Miracles, when they happen, usually only happen once. I say that because last year was a miracle. A repeat is usually impossible. In Brazil, with Massa, we were in the process of producing another miracle."
And di Montezemolo made special reference to the efforts of Kimi Raikkonen this year who, although out the hunt for the drivers' championship, played a key role in allowing Ferrari to win the constructors' title.
He did first of all joke, however, that Raikkonen did not appear to be himself in the final part of the season – when he was left firmly in the shadow by Massa.
"Is it really you, the real Kimi, the one in flesh and bones?" said di Montezemolo at Raikkonen, who was sat in the same room as him. "Or is it a friend of yours, a stand-in, the one that in the last Grands Prix was racing for Ferrari? Because in my opinion, Kimi, you were a bit tired and you let a friend of yours race for a while. OK, enough kidding.
Kimi has been a world champion right up to the last race this year. He has contributed to two constructors' titles," he said. "His points were fundamental. With all respect for Lewis Hamilton...I'm happy with my drivers, the best pair in the world."
11/12/2008 10:41:00 p.m.
No comments
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali expects Kimi Raikkonen to do a Valentino Rossi next year - and return to form after a disappointing campaign.
Raikkonen was overshadowed by teammate Felipe Massa this season, as Ferrari won the constructors' championship but lost the drivers' title battle by one point.
And with Massa having found a new maturity and the consistency he was lacking in his early career, Raikkonen will have to lift his game if he wants to emerge as team leader again.
But Domenicali has said that he reckons Raikkonen can do what Rossi did in MotoGP this year - capture the crown after being written off by critics.
Raikkonen was overshadowed by teammate Felipe Massa this season, as Ferrari won the constructors' championship but lost the drivers' title battle by one point.
And with Massa having found a new maturity and the consistency he was lacking in his early career, Raikkonen will have to lift his game if he wants to emerge as team leader again.
But Domenicali has said that he reckons Raikkonen can do what Rossi did in MotoGP this year - capture the crown after being written off by critics.
"I think for sure this year was a difficult year for him," said Domenicali when asked by autosport.com about how Raikkonen would move on from the events of this season.
"But he is happy because we won together as a team. And he is looking forward to starting again, because for sure this is not the one that he knows.
"I already said that a lot of people were talking last season about Valentino Rossi being finished this year, and he has actually done a lot. So I am expecting the same kind of approach in 2009."
11/11/2008 10:32:00 p.m.
No comments
Kimi Raikkonen was happy that Ferrari secured the constructors' championship, despite Felipe Massa being unable to clinch the drivers' crown.
The Finn helped his teammate and finished in front of Lewis Hamilton in today's Brazilian Grand Prix, but that was not enough, as the McLaren driver secured fifth place and the title.
Raikkonen, who wound up third, admitted it had not been an easy race, but was pleased that Ferrari took the teams' title.
The result allowed Raikkonen to move into third place in the championship, overtaking BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica.
The Finn helped his teammate and finished in front of Lewis Hamilton in today's Brazilian Grand Prix, but that was not enough, as the McLaren driver secured fifth place and the title.
Raikkonen, who wound up third, admitted it had not been an easy race, but was pleased that Ferrari took the teams' title.
"I did what I was supposed to do, and it wasn't the best race ever but the car was quite difficult," said Raikkonen. "It was quite tricky to get the front tyres working and the first and second stint were quite difficult at the beginning.
"I was catching up Fernando but then came the rain and I was right behind him but I could not come in. We decided to stay with third place.
"For us we won the teams championship and it was unlucky for Felipe but that was one of our aims, that is what we wanted.
"It was not the easiest thing for the team but we got the good results for the team and we must be happy. It hasn't been an easy year all the way through but I am very happy with that."
The result allowed Raikkonen to move into third place in the championship, overtaking BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica.
11/10/2008 10:28:00 p.m.
No comments
11/09/2008 10:24:00 p.m.
No comments
The season is over and this is the verdict: Ferrari won again! The last race was a mirror for the Championship. We were really strong and we gained and excellent result, but not the perfect one. The most important thing is that the Team gained the Constructors' World Title; the most realistic goal we could reach in this last race.
My hopes ended up in smoke at Spa and Monza. From then on I tried to gain as many points as possible for the Team and I tried to understand how to improve things for the next year.
The last season didn't go as I wanted. It started very well, but then there were too many negative moments. We made some mistakes, as did our competitors. But we paid a higher price for them, we couldn't make up and I was out of the title race too early.
It's a very important result for all who work for or are part of the world of Ferrari: the people of the Scuderia, our partners, and more above all Stefano Domenicali, during his first year as Team Principal. It's also a little victory for me, at the end of difficult and complicated season. It's good to win after such a year; it shows how united the Team has been and that we have fought right until the end.
My hopes ended up in smoke at Spa and Monza. From then on I tried to gain as many points as possible for the Team and I tried to understand how to improve things for the next year.
I want to congratulate Lewis Hamilton. He gained more points than any other driver and the one who's leading the standings earns the title. It doesn't make sense to think of the "ifs" and "buts"; that only makes you feel worse and it won't change anything anyway. I'm sorry for Felipe: the situation last year was very similar and things went our way; this year it went the other way. It was a season our fans will remember for a long time. Now it's time to relax and to celebrate together with our supporters at Mugello another win of the Costructors' Title. Then we will think about our holidays, to charge the batteries for the 2009 season.
The last season didn't go as I wanted. It started very well, but then there were too many negative moments. We made some mistakes, as did our competitors. But we paid a higher price for them, we couldn't make up and I was out of the title race too early.
But this already part of the past. Next year we'll be back to win again. There will be new rules and many things will change. So it's difficult to say how it will lool like in 2009. But I think we'll be very competitive again. Whenever there were changes Ferrari usually managed to adapt to them faster as all the others. We have to wait and see what our capacities will be and we can reach in the next Championships.
11/08/2008 10:19:00 p.m.
No comments
SAN PAOLO - Musica e drink fino all’alba di lunedì nella discoteca “Disco” per la Ferrari. Chiamiamola festa perché si è sbevazzato, anche un po’ brindando al Mondiale costruttori. Ma è stata una mezza festa, senza discorsi e con poco buon umore. C’era la linea di comando della Ferrari, c’erano tecnici e meccanici, c’era Felipe Massa con la moglie e la famiglia e c’era pure Rubens Barrichello, rimasto buon amico. Non c’era Kimi Raikkonen. Il finlandese aveva prenotato da tempo un volo immediato per Zurigo, ma è significativo come sia stato l’unico assente eccellente in uno dei momenti che Maranello ritiene fondamentali per creare il collante, per «fare squadra» , che è uno degli slogan di Montezemolo.
Ieri sera anche la McLaren ha festeggiato il trionfo in una discoteca di San Paolo. Hamilton, giunto verso la mezzanotte, era in compagnia della sua fidanzata e di alcuni membri del team, tra cui Heikki Kovalainen, il collaudatore Pedro de la Rosa e Ron Dennis.
[source]
No party for Kimi :P
Ieri sera anche la McLaren ha festeggiato il trionfo in una discoteca di San Paolo. Hamilton, giunto verso la mezzanotte, era in compagnia della sua fidanzata e di alcuni membri del team, tra cui Heikki Kovalainen, il collaudatore Pedro de la Rosa e Ron Dennis.
[source]
No party for Kimi :P
11/07/2008 10:16:00 p.m.
No comments
While Sunday in Brazil belonged to Lewis Hamilton, last year’s Interlagos race was a different story altogether, with the Grand Prix ending in equally heroic circumstances as Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen claimed his maiden drivers’ title.
Following his 2008 return to Sao Paulo, we caught up with Raikkonen to ask how it felt to be back, and to discover how he spends his time ‘in the office’ over a race weekend and find out why sleep plays an intrinsic part in his pre-race regime…
Q: We were in Brazil this weekend, what do you associate with this circuit?
Q: You don’t take to the track until Friday morning, but when do you like to fly in?
Q: What’s your exercise regime over a race weekend? Does it vary according to the race location, demands of the circuit etc?
Q: What’s your preferred accommodation at races - city hotel, hotel near the circuit, your own motorhome near the paddock?
Q: Anything you have to have provided in your hotel room or any luxuries you always bring with you from home?
Q: Do you enjoy entertaining friends and family during a race weekend?
Q: Do you get the chance to go out and socialize on Friday and Saturday night?
Q: Any drivers you particularly like hanging out with?
Q: Your favourite race for nightlife?
Q: What’s the best night out you’ve had at a Grand Prix? And have you ever overslept the next morning?
Q: What do you have for breakfast on a race Sunday?
Q: How do you spend the morning on race Sunday?
Q: How do you like to get to the circuit on Sunday morning? Do you drive yourself?
Q: How do you like to spend the hour or so before the race? Any superstitions or pre-race rituals you always go through to bring you luck?
Q: Do you have a lucky charm?
Q: What do you do to stay calm as you’re sat on the grid awaiting the formation lap?
Q: How do you wind down after the race?
Q: If things don’t go your way and you retire early, do you prefer to get away as soon as possible, or hang out and watch the rest of the race?
Following his 2008 return to Sao Paulo, we caught up with Raikkonen to ask how it felt to be back, and to discover how he spends his time ‘in the office’ over a race weekend and find out why sleep plays an intrinsic part in his pre-race regime…
Q: We were in Brazil this weekend, what do you associate with this circuit?
Kimi Raikkonen: For sure I had there the best memories of my racing career. The 2007 Grand Prix will always remain in my mind and in my heart!
Q: You don’t take to the track until Friday morning, but when do you like to fly in?
KR: It depends on the programme. Usually in Europe I arrive at the track Thursday late morning, so I do not touch down later than Wednesday afternoon.Q: Do you make an effort to discover your surroundings at a race, or do you stick to the airport-hotel-track-airport itinerary?
KR: No, unfortunately there is not too much time during a race weekend. It is different maybe when there are back-to-back races overseas, like Japan and China in the last two years. Then, for instance, I love to go to Tokyo and spend two days there.
Q: What’s your exercise regime over a race weekend? Does it vary according to the race location, demands of the circuit etc?
KR: No, basically it remains the same. The only change this year was for Singapore, as we had to adapt to a different timetable.
Q: What’s your preferred accommodation at races - city hotel, hotel near the circuit, your own motorhome near the paddock?
KR: It depends where the race is hosted. If it is a street circuit I like city hotels. If not, I prefer to stay not too far away from the track. But, as I said, it depends case by case.
Q: Anything you have to have provided in your hotel room or any luxuries you always bring with you from home?
KR: No, I am a simple man! I only bring with me my computer and my iPod.
Q: Do you enjoy entertaining friends and family during a race weekend?
KR: Usually the family is not with me because we don’t really have time to spend together, so it would make no sense to have them around.
Q: Do you get the chance to go out and socialize on Friday and Saturday night?
KR: Friday we finish our technical programme late so I just go back to the hotel. Saturday there is more time, but I prefer to spend the time in a relaxed way.
Q: Any drivers you particularly like hanging out with?
KR: No, not specifically.
Q: Your favourite race for nightlife?
KR: Monaco.
Q: What’s the best night out you’ve had at a Grand Prix? And have you ever overslept the next morning?
KR: Brazil 2007 - you can easily figure out why!
Q: What do you have for breakfast on a race Sunday?
KR: The same as for a normal day: some cereal and milk.
Q: How do you spend the morning on race Sunday?
KR: On Sunday morning we have a series of technical and sporting briefings with the team. Then there are the commercial activities which usually last a total of 45 minutes. In the meantime, I usually sleep as much as I can.
Q: How do you like to get to the circuit on Sunday morning? Do you drive yourself?
KR: By car, driving myself.
Q: How do you like to spend the hour or so before the race? Any superstitions or pre-race rituals you always go through to bring you luck?
KR: No, nothing special. As I said before, I try to sleep as much as possible.
Q: Do you have a lucky charm?
KR: No.
Q: What do you do to stay calm as you’re sat on the grid awaiting the formation lap?
KR: Nothing special. Usually I listen to my race engineer who repeats the starting procedure and the latest news.
Q: How do you wind down after the race?
KR: It depends on the result. If it is a good one I love to chill out with my friends. If it is a bad one, I prefer to go back home as soon as possible.
Q: If things don’t go your way and you retire early, do you prefer to get away as soon as possible, or hang out and watch the rest of the race?
KR: I would prefer to disappear but I still have to participate in the post-race debriefing so I just stay in my room and wait for that.
11/06/2008 09:35:00 p.m.
No comments
Q. Kimi, talk us through the race from your point of view.
Q. Kimi, obviously you were catching hard at the end, was it that the tyres really came to you? Was it a struggle early on?
Q. What were the conditions like out there?
Q. (Heikki Kulta – Turun Sanomat) Kimi, you just lost your championship title to Hamilton. How do you feel about that?
Kimi RAIKKONEN: I knew what I was supposed to do and it wasn't the best race ever. The car was quite difficult, I don't know why. The tyres felt quite tricky, especially the front tyres on the first set. The second set was a bit difficult at the beginning. It started to be a bit better in the end and I was catching up Fernando but then came the rain and I was right behind him and I got some instruction not to risk anything for Felipe and I decided to stay in third place.
For us we won at least the team championship. It was unlucky for Felipe but that was one of our aims. I mean we got that at least and it was what we wanted and we could do it. It was not the easiest year for the team and for both of us but we got good results for the team and we must be happy. It was Stefano's (Domenicali) first year as team boss and it has not been easy all the way through, so I am very happy for him.
Q. Kimi, obviously you were catching hard at the end, was it that the tyres really came to you? Was it a struggle early on?
KR: The first set, especially, was quite difficult. The car didn't want to turn but it was slightly better at the beginning of the second one, the second set of dry tyres, and then it got better all the time, so I was able to catch up. As Fernando said, when the rain came and I got close to him, they told me not to risk anything because if I went off, it would not be good for the team, for Felipe's situation at that moment. For myself it was no difference and the team would have won the championship anyhow, so we just came home third.
Q. What were the conditions like out there?
KR: Of course, it was wet at the start but the grip was not too bad, actually. It was trickier on dry tyres when there were some wet patches and I took it very easily at those places. My only mission was to get points for the team. Not the nicest race in the end but we got what we wanted, so that was the most important thing.
Q. (Heikki Kulta – Turun Sanomat) Kimi, you just lost your championship title to Hamilton. How do you feel about that?
KR: You can always lose some points. OK, I lost it this year, so well done to him, he deserves it in the end. He got the most points from this year, so I don't feel bad. Of course, my season was not what I wanted in the end but that's racing. Sometimes you have bad moments during the season and it cost too many points for me this year but I will try to come back next year and it's a completely different story again. I won it once and for sure I want to win it more times but this year didn't happen and we will come back stronger next year and try to get it back.
11/05/2008 10:13:00 p.m.
No comments
Q. Kimi, an unusual situation for you playing a support role for Felipe. But you have done a great job starting right behind him on the grid and ahead of both McLarens.
Q. The Ferrari looks to have been right on the pace since the start of the weekend.
Q. You were in Felipe's position this time last year. What sort of advice have you been giving your young teammate?
Q. Kimi, third on the grid as last year, when you went on to win and take the championship as well, so your feelings about that?
Q. It sounds as though the tyres could play more than their usual part in the Grand Prix. You were talking about tyre wear just now. Was that on hard tyres or soft tyres or both?
Q. (Fulvio Solms – Corriere dello Sport) Felipe and Kimi, do you think that this grid creates extra pressure on Hamilton, and how strong is this pressure?
FM: I think so. I think the pressure is on his shoulders because I have nothing to lose. I am already second in the championship. It doesn't just depend on ourselves as we've said many times, so I think the pressure is on his shoulders for sure and we will see.
Kimi RAIKKONEN: Yeah, I think I did more or less what I was supposed to do. I am in a good starting place. Actually I prefer to be third rather than second as here it has been pretty a good place to start. Hopefully we will get a good start and I think we have a car to pull away like we did last year and that would be perfect for the team and that is what we are aiming for and after that it is not up to us anymore. We can just finish where we want and see what happens after that.
Q. The Ferrari looks to have been right on the pace since the start of the weekend.
KR: I think the car definitely is good. I have not had the easiest weekend but anyhow we are where we should be. I think for the race I am pretty comfortable that my car is going to be quite strong. It wasn't perfect in the last qualifying, a bit too much understeer, but that is not a bad sign looking at how the tyres are working here and it is going to be hard for the tyres in the race. But I think we should be in a strong position for the race and in the end that's where we need to be strong. As long as we are in the front in qualifying it is enough and we will see what we can do tomorrow but not a bad team effort from us.
Q. You were in Felipe's position this time last year. What sort of advice have you been giving your young teammate?
KR: Like I said I think our only chance is to be first and second and hoping for a little bit of luck from the outside. It's not up to us anymore at that point. But that's our aim and we will see what happens.
Q. Kimi, third on the grid as last year, when you went on to win and take the championship as well, so your feelings about that?
KR: It's OK, not the ideal qualifying but I think I'm in a good position to have a good race, so that's the main thing. We will see what we can do tomorrow. I think the car should be strong in the race, so that's really the main thing in the end. As long as you're in a good position to start… I think we should have a good start and hopefully we are one and two after the first corner and then we can have a race from there but we will see what happens.
Q. It sounds as though the tyres could play more than their usual part in the Grand Prix. You were talking about tyre wear just now. Was that on hard tyres or soft tyres or both?
KR: I think the picture is quite similar to what it was last year here. Many people had some issues with tyres. Every time it's these kinds of conditions and people start to have problems with their tyre wear. We are usually in a strong position, and I think tomorrow, the tyres seem to be a bit on the edge here, so it should be OK for us.
Q. (Fulvio Solms – Corriere dello Sport) Felipe and Kimi, do you think that this grid creates extra pressure on Hamilton, and how strong is this pressure?
FM: I think so. I think the pressure is on his shoulders because I have nothing to lose. I am already second in the championship. It doesn't just depend on ourselves as we've said many times, so I think the pressure is on his shoulders for sure and we will see.
KR: I have nothing to add.
11/04/2008 10:09:00 p.m.
No comments
We're ahead of the season's last race and the last possibility to taste the pleasure of racing for a while. This is what a driver loves most: pulling on the helmet and fighting for the win. I want to fight for victory in Brazil and celebrate a good result with the Team: this would give me a good feeling for the winter and the upcoming season. There are not so many positive things for me I achieved over the last season. We have to analyze every single detail of what happened and try to learn from our mistakes to improve everything for next year.
We'll try a one-two win again. Winning the Constructors' Championship is very important for every team and even more so for Ferrari. I'm glad that I can help the Team to reach its goals.
We have to wait for Friday's practice sessions to see what our chances might be this year. It will be very hard with McLaren in the qualifying. Over the last two races I had a much better feeling with the car in Q3, when I had a bigger fuel load. It's important to believe in the car and the possibility to attack, this is what makes the difference. I hope that we can find the right set up, after we've been very close for a couple of times. At the beginning of the year things went very well, but then we lost track and we couldn't get back. It was a very long year and I can't wait to have a breack.
But now we have to give it all at the last race of the 2008 season.
I'm happy to be in Brazil again. Interlagos is a track where there are often really exciting races. We drive anti-clockwise here, which is very demanding. But more than anything else this place reminds me of something very special. Last year I won the race and the title, something really extraordinary. The Ferrari very often went very well on this track and I hope that it will be the same this year. We're fighting for both titles, just like in 2007.
We'll try a one-two win again. Winning the Constructors' Championship is very important for every team and even more so for Ferrari. I'm glad that I can help the Team to reach its goals.
After the Chinese GP I relaxed a bit. I went to Switzerland to meet my friend Anton Alen, Markku's son, who was driving a rally there. It was great seeing him in action. I didn't have to do anything in particular to charge my batteries for Brazil: that comes naturally. I had some pretty good results in this race, but last year's victory was the icing on the cake.
We have to wait for Friday's practice sessions to see what our chances might be this year. It will be very hard with McLaren in the qualifying. Over the last two races I had a much better feeling with the car in Q3, when I had a bigger fuel load. It's important to believe in the car and the possibility to attack, this is what makes the difference. I hope that we can find the right set up, after we've been very close for a couple of times. At the beginning of the year things went very well, but then we lost track and we couldn't get back. It was a very long year and I can't wait to have a breack.
There will be several new rules for the next season and we will have to work a lot during the winter. But before I go on holiday it will be great to get back to Mugello for a second time for the Ferrari World Finals. This is a very special event for all the Ferraristi. It would be even better if on 9th November we had a World Championship title with us to celebrate. I couldn't win the Drivers' title this year, but I assure you that I'll try again next year.
11/03/2008 09:56:00 p.m.
No comments
Kimi Raikkonen arrives in Brazil ready to help teammate Felipe Massa in the championship, but aware that the Brazilian will need the same amount of luck he had in 2007 to clinch his title.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Interlagos race on Thursday, however, the Finn made it clear everything is possible, as he found out last year.
Q. What can you do to help Felipe this weekend?
Kimi Raikkonen: In the end it is not up to us, we can only try to be 1-2 and it's up to McLaren if they have a problem of finish third, there is nothing we can do. The first aim is to try and be 1-2 and see what happens. There needs to be a bit of luck involved but we will see where we end up.
Q. Do you expect the same performance and result as last year?
KR: Definitely last year we were strong and the year before strong also, this year has been slightly more difficult. We have a little bit different tyres this year so probably not as good as last year, but I expect our car will be strong here anyhow and we should have a very strong race.
Q. What are you feelings about the weather?
KR: I don't know. Somebody local knows more very well, last year seemed sometimes very hot and sometimes quite cold, it changes very quickly. You just need to get the best out of it and make the right decisions when it comes so we will see where it comes.Q. There are lots of youngsters now like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. In F1, is there space for drivers below 30 years of age?
KR: I am 29, so not so old! There are others older and I have been many years in F1 but I can easily have four of five years if I want in F1. There is no issue if you are 30/31, if you are good enough you will stay there, even now we have a couple of guys who are 35 or 36, it depends which teams you are at and how you do. It is not a question of how old you are.
Q. Are you impressed by the new generation?
KR: For sure they are good, they seem to make good races all the time. You always going to get the young guys going and if you get in a young team they will get strong races.
Q. What do you think about the new regulations for 2009?
KR: New rules, new tyres and different things that are unknown for teams and drivers, it is difficult to say where we will be next year and how close the teams will be. For many we have had same regs so smaller teams caught up with big teams. Next year the big teams have an advantage and next year who makes the best job with the new car first will have a big advantage. There will be a bigger difference between the teams than in the past.
Q. Do you think Ferrari have overcome the qualifying problem with the tyres?
KR: I don't think there is an awful lot of difference to come here or the the last couple of races, it is more how the weather will plan out. I was pretty happy in the last few qualifyings so definitely for myself it has been better but we need to see. There is a lot to do with the weather and the surface of the circuits, last year we were strong here so we will see what we can do.
Q. Have you any idea how many times you have been asked if you are going to help Felipe, and does it bother you?
KR: Every time every race lately they ask and I think it is a normal thing, I know what I need to do for the team and in the end we try to win two championship. I am not interested if people don't like what you say or how it pans out, that is what I am here to do.
Q. McLaren seem faster in colder temperatures, do you see that as a problem and do they have a weak spot?
KR: I answered the tyre question already, it all depends on the weather and surface. Sure McLaren are often very fast on the one lap but I haven't been in McLaren for two years so I don't know if they have weak points, they seem to be strong they don't seem to have man mechanical problems and doesn't seem to be a weak point now. We don't think about it much, we try to do our best and if that is not enough there is nothing we can change.
Q. Will the change to slick tyres next year change your driving style?
KR: The rules have changed in the past and still more or less everybody drives the same way because you need to change a different way of driving but you try to get the car working for you and then you drive as you want. Like I said before it is new rules and new tyres so it's difficult to say how it is going to be. We need to wait until we get the new cars and in the winter you get a bit of an idea with new car and new tyres and teams will change cars to suit next year's rules, the first answers we get when we get new cars.
Q. How quickly will it take you to adapt?
KR: I don't think it takes a long time, now we have new tyres and new parts but we get a little bit of an idea over the winter. We do a few tests and we are learning all the time new things about new cars and new things but should not take too long.
Q. You worked with Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard. Do you believe Massa is the strongest of your teammates?
KR: It all depends on many different things, the cars and in the past years who has been happy with what. For sure he is definitely one of the strongest I have had, it is only a good thing you push each other and help the team go forward but definitely he is one of them.
Q. Last year you came here fighting for championship, this time you don't have any chance. Have you learned something from 2007?
KR: Like I said I don't have a chance this year, last year we had a small chance and were able to win it. For sure this year we learned from small mistakes that we did and we tried many things and we will have a better understandings on a few things next year and it definitely helps us.
It's too early to say how it helps us but I am expecting next year to be strong as well. We had a bad moment in the season and that is why we cannot win the championship but we had good bits before and afterwards, I am not worried about next year at all.
Q. Who is your tip for the championship? who has more pressure Felipe or Lewis?
KR: Felipe in the end does not have anything to lose, even if we are 1-2 it is not up to us any more, McLaren need to make mistakes so they need to be fifth, in the end they have more to lose than us, they have more pressure but we need to have a little bit of luck and if they have a very bad weekend then it is not too difficult, we see every race this year they are more or less there, top four of top five, it will be difficult but you never know.
Q. Is this your worst season since racing for McLaren and Ferrari?
KR: No, I would not say that. I would say the first McLaren season I think I finished only six or seven races all year, sometimes you have a bit more difficult season and after last year when I won the championship you have a little bit more difficult season and they look more closely, for sure we have had some good races and good plans, the overall results is not what we want but it is one of those years that is not easy and we made some mistakes, it hasn't been good but hasn't been the worst of my life.
11/02/2008 09:53:00 p.m.
No comments
11/01/2008 09:48:00 p.m.
No comments