What happens when a normal family's normal boy proves to be special and gets into the 22 best? Kimi Räikkönen got a F1-seat and a licence but mother and father, Paula and Matti Räikkönen hope that life wold stay as it was. Their wish is fulfilled if they have as much love in the family as they have had uptil now.

The feeling is the same as it usually is after a big moment of happiness. The dream becomes true, the joy is enourmous and yet there is sorrowness in the air: what was is left behind, a lot changes, maybe everything.

It's been a few days since Kimi Räikkönen, 21, came out with the historical news: he got the superlicense to F1 although he hadn't drove one meter in F3.

– We have done our part, Kimi and Steve Robertson will take care of the rest. We only give emotional support now, Matti Räikkönen, Kimi's father says.

– It is painful to let go. It will take a few weeks until we get ourselves psyched into thinking that this really is true.

Kimi's mother Paula Räikkönen continues:

– This came with such a bang. Kimi called Masa's cellphone on August 15th when we were in Tuupovaara where Rami was rallying telling that he will go and test F1 within a month. I thought then that I am going to faint. Fortunately Masa caught me when my feet just went under, really.

– I prepared her and told her to sit down, that I have an incredible thing to tell, Matti tells.

– Fortunately we have this older son Rami, who is one year and 10 months older than Kimi and how drives rally. I have enough to do with Rami, Masa says and grins somewhat sadly.

He is a big, stable, bearlike 46-year old man. Paula, 47, is smaller, blond, fast and clear in her talks, more temperamentic.


source: KR Forum