Kimi Räikkönen's first appearance on MTV3 in 2000.

Kimi: I don't remember the first times because we started as small, it was completely different than it is now.

Santtu knows already that he will become a F1-driver, when did you realise that this is really becoming a career for you?
Kimi: Well, probably only last year. I got a good manager-contract and he started taking care of my things so that I could concentrate on driving and it made things a lot more easier. It guaranteed that I always had a place the next year where I could drive.

The F1-negotiations are now going on but what are your options if you don't get that seat in Sauber?
Kimi: Well, of course I could be a test driver and then there would probably be F3 in Britain as another noteworthy option.

Do you think that you are mature enough for F1?
Kimi: Yes, of course if I get there it will require some work in the beginning of the season until you learn all the tracks but I think I would learn them quite quickly, you get used to the job quite quickly.

What do you know about the car that your are driving, Santtu?
Santtu: At least it goes fast....and a bit of everything.

Can you do something to the car yourself?
Santtu: The track I guess.

What about when you take a peek at the engine, what do you understand about that?
Santtu: I haven't looked.

Kimi, they say that your strenght is that you understand the car so well. What do you know about the car?
Kimi: Well, I was in the car-department in school when it was current. I have fumbled with them quite a lot so it's pretty much under my control.

How well should a driver know his car, according to you?
Kimi: It's always better the more you know about the car. You know better what should be done with it and it's also easier to tell what you want the car to be like. It always makes it easier if you know the car well.

Who fixes and sets up your car, Santtu?
Santtu: Well....Tero .

You mean your daddy?
Santtu: Yes.

F1 means a lot of money. How do you get there if your parents aren't millionaires or you don't have any financial backer?
Kimi: It is difficult. You have to show to get in there. Drive as fast as you can and hope that it catches someone's eye.

In other words if you are skillfull and fearless enough it's still possible?
Kimi: Yes but it is really difficult. Money helps always but there aren't so many drivers anymore who pay for their seat, the whole things is more or less about talent these days.


source: KR Forum