thanks but I have to say that my italian isn't very good so I'm not understanding every word. " title="oi" /> The part at the press conference about Kimi having no cap and so on I translated already, the interview with Kimi doesn't have anything new really. Generally it seems italian press is more positive about Kimi, also as a person "the most mysterious and authentic person of F1.." “He is original and unintentionally he succeeds in making everybody laugh. Because of his silences, his predictable and short answers, his attitude, have almost always a comic side." still they can't let it go. "When he left Ferrari he still didn't know the names of his mechanics." " title="roll" />
ZitatF1: Lotus gave Kimi Raikkonen what he really needed
By George East
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix gave the world a good insight into the world of Kimi Raikkonen.
After having his contract cut a year early by Ferrari for reasons that only they and one of the most enigmatic of Formula 1 drivers will ever truly know, the pressure was truly off; the 2009 Ferrari was the Scuderia’s worst effort since 2005, Kimi had already bagged a world title in 2007 and given his relationship with the team was strained at best, they had paid him 20 million euros to not drive in 2010.
Little wonder then that given his situation, when asked his thoughts on F1’s then latest Middle Eastern instalment, he replied “the first few turns are quite good but the rest of it, it’s sh**.” He finished the race in 11th, duly packed his bags, and then shipped it to the World Rally Championship for a few seasons in a Citroen.
Despite not –in terms of results at least – being the most successful period in his career, in retrospect Kimi’s two years in the WRC may have actually been just that.
Whilst fifth place on Rally Turkey 2010 behind the wheel of Citroen C4 may not have set the world alight, it was the Kimi Raikkonen that the world saw on the stages of the WRC that made him appeal to Formula 1.
No more 'stock' answers In a world that thrives on corporate answers, ‘stock’ answers and a lack of personalities, the Raikkonen who now dwelt in the service parks of the WRC was the complete antidote to the “for sure” answers and awkward sponsor events that are so intrinsic for Formula 1.
With clear Oakley sunglasses perched on newly grown shoulder length hair, Kimi was free to do what he wanted. If he didn’t want to do a media event, he wasn’t obliged. If he through something wasn’t to his liking, he’d say (after beaching his C4 on Rally France 2010, he mused “it was a stupid place to go off”) and if he fancied a beer, he could.
His role in the WRC was also welcomed, as Citroen teammate, Sebastien Loeb will tell you with the following story.
Following Kimi’s failure to turn up on time for a mini bus transfer to the stages, Loeb grinned “well, it takes some of the pressure off of me” after the Finn arrived 30 minutes late. Dani Sordo, another one of the Citroen drivers also enjoyed having Kimi around: “[he] seemed quiet at first, but it turned out he’s funny and not like his public image at all.”
Despite his laconic personality thriving in the WRC and winning him yet more fans, the results still did not come. Something did not gel, and it seemed that Kimi – as he did with Ferrari – was getting losing interest WRC due to lack of success. He’d tried his hand at something new, and whilst he believes “with zero experience [for that] I did pretty well”, he still couldn’t quite match his F1 triumphs.
Naturally then, for a man so motivated by winning as Raikkonen, it seemed Kimi needed Formula 1 as it was where he speed lies. For a sport so lacking in personalities, it seemed Formula 1 needed Kimi. The two just went together.
A new life at Lotus F1 So for 2012, he returned; the newly branded Lotus F1 team confirmed Kimi as one of their drivers alongside Romain Grosjean and the (now) 33-year old exceeded all expectations by finishing every race in 2012.
He also finished third in the championship after scoring five podiums and winning the ‘sh**’ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he famously delivered the “leave me alone, I know what I’m doing” line to his race engineer…
… And it’s that atmosphere at Lotus that has made its partnership with Raikkonen the success it is. The ethos of ‘leave him alone and in the race he shall deliver’ became apparent again in Australia last weekend when he delivered his second win for the team.
Speaking ahead of the 2013 season, Lotus owner, Genii’s Gerard Lopez commented in Gazzetto dello Sport that he wants ‘drivers and not robots’. In Kimi, he has exactly that. Lopez continued that at the Enstone based team, “Raikkonen feels utilised for what's most important [driving], while he is free for everything else. He has found balance.” Just let him get on with what he does best; driving.
Lopez’s comments seem true as following his popular win at the 2013 season opener, journalists around the paddock commented on how fit Kimi looks, and were in awe at what was possibly the longest ever answer he’d ever given at a press conference.
If the atmosphere at Lotus continues as it is and if its E21 car is as good as it looked throughout last weekend, then expect Kimi to make a serious go at claiming a second championship.
Don’t expect any drama though. It simply isn’t the Raikkonen way…
That story about Kimi being late for the minibus. I read the whole story translated by Nicole, I don't know if I posted it here. But I remember one of the media guys following WRC was so impressed about Kimi being funny. He remembers the hotel was completely sh*** (but Citroen chose it because it was near the rally) and Kaj was pouring steam out of his ears because he kept calling Kimi from the front desk since he was really late. Usually was Loeb who had all the media attention until Kimi went to WRC.
Then he remember seen Kimi walking down the stairs like nothing was hapening saying: "the hotel was so nice I thought I'd enjoyed it a while longer" " title="lol" />
d" title="nod" /> that's what he said " title="ha" /> it's from an article in this months F1Racing, you can read it here http://kimiraikkonenspace.com/2013/02/2 ... l-picture/
ZitatKimi Raikkonen Q&A: Friday doesn't mean much 22 Mar 2013
A race win at round one in Australia and top of the timesheets on Friday in Malaysia - things are looking good for Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus. But as is his way, Raikkonen is playing down his early form at Sepang, only too aware that plenty could change between now and the chequered flag on Sunday…
Q: Kimi, aren’t the conditions reminding you of a Finnish sauna? Kimi Raikkonen: That is in fact a completely different story. Yes, it is humid and so probably not the easiest place to be, but the track is nice. And the conditions are the same for everybody - so why worry about it?
Q: Niki Lauda said in Melbourne that you are his kind of driver, as you remind him of the times when drivers were real racers - like in the days of James Hunt and himself. Would that have been your era - the seventies? A time with less media, but intense racing? KR: Yeah, I am a fan of the old times. Racing was more dangerous so it was a bit more exciting. You paid a huge price when you made a mistake. But as we all know that we cannot bring back the so-called ‘good old times’, I try to pick the best out of the present. And at the moment the present is all well with me! (laughs)
Q: Can you recap that Melbourne race a bit? You started from seventh position, and while everybody was focused on what Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were doing you sneaked past them and won… KR: Looking back, that Sunday didn’t start too well. In fact I was pretty disappointed from qualifying. I definitely thought there should have been more for me. But considering where I started last year I told myself: don’t complain and make it better in the race. I felt that I had a good car and it turned out as such.
Q: You dared to run a two-stop strategy. Your former team principal Stefano Domenicali said that he still believes three stops was the right thing to do. You won - so your choice must have been better… KR: With no real data from the winter tests it is almost impossible to bank on any strategy being right - probably your gut feeling is the best signpost. We followed ours, took some risks and it paid off. I could save the tyres and I could go fast if I needed - I could really drive very easily, almost cruising to the chequered flag. It was one of my easiest wins - if you can ever consider winning an easy task.
Q: So what about here in Malaysia? With you on a high, do the others have any chance? Especially after this afternoon? KR: Look at this place: it is hot, it is humid and the track is completely different. On top of this we could see rain at any point of the race, so how should I know what is happening on Sunday afternoon? The only thing that I can say right here right now is that the car is good, that the team is working fantastically and that I want to keep the lead in the drivers’ standings. Let’s see where these factors will bring us in the race.
Q: So let’s recap: today it went pretty well for you, despite all the uncertainties you just mentioned, so the indications are that you will be able to defend your position on Sunday… KR: It is the first time that we really run in hot weather, so we have to set-up the car carefully to make the tyres work to our advantage in a long, demanding race. At the moment I would say that it is trial and error for all of us, and the more you are able to try the more you have the chance to eliminate any errors. It looked good for us this afternoon, but it is Friday so it doesn’t mean much.
Q: It is known that you and Sebastian Vettel have some kind of friendship. When asked how he sees that friendship, his reply was that he respects your honesty and down-to-earth attitude. How could that change, now that you are really racing wheel-to-wheel for victories for the first time? KR: Seb is for me an honest guy - and, yes, we get along very well. What happens on the track and life outside the cockpit are two completely different pairs of shoes. We are both professionals who can separate one from the other. I always wonder what people are expecting us to do? That we are running with a knife through the paddock seeking revenge after a race incident, or what? " title="ha" />
Q: Your contract runs until the end of the year. Now that things are really working out well for you, are you considering staying? KR: Let’s wait and see. We’ve only done one race so far, so it’s a bit premature to make any decisions for 2014.
Q: What’s your guess for Sunday? KR: That it will be a tough race and that all the ‘usual suspects’ have won here in the past so we know how to do it! (laughs)
ZitatQuestion: "You get on well with Kimi Raikkonen, what connects you?" Vettel: "Well we are not best friends, in the sense of that we spend every free minute together. But on the race track, we get on quite well, we haven't clashed yet. This test is still out but I believe even then we should both know how to handle it. I'm coming along quite well with him, he is - as the Austrians say - "ein gerader Michl". (= honest, straightforward guy) He is as he is. I have never beed disappointed by him especially with regard to the truth."
Question: "How glad were you for him?" Vettel: "At first I was quite surprised because I've never seen him on the track. First I thought that the pit board is not right. I've then looked around and saw on the screens around the track that there is one more in front of us. Of course I'm glad for him, but we would have been more happy if we had won."
ZitatLotus wants new contract talks with Raikkonen The 2007 World Champion is reportedly happier at Lotus than ever before in his F1 career
March 23rd, 2013 (GMM) - Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez has left the door open for a new deal with current championship leader Kimi Raikkonen.
Finn Raikkonen, who became the first winner of the 2013 season in Australia last weekend, is not saying if he wants to extend his contract beyond the end of the year.
"Let's wait and see," the famously phlegmatic 33-year-old said.
Luxembourger Lopez admitted he will stage talks with Raikkonen - who according to many is fitter and happier at Lotus than ever before in his F1 career - when the time is right.
"We have a very easy relationship with Kimi," Lopez told Turun Sanomat newspaper.
"At the moment everything is perfect, so of course we will discuss how to proceed.
"I don't think it's so much about negotiations, but how we decide to continue the adventure together," he added.
Raikkonen is, however, very expensive for a team without the biggest budget in pitlane, as the original contract negotiated includes healthy bonuses for points.
Last year, his 207 points reportedly earned him millions on top of his retainer.
"But these points are good for both sides -- team and driver," insisted Lopez.
"We are living in exciting times. We knew before the first race that we are better than last season, but we didn't know exactly what the others had done over the winter.
"We talk about tyres, but Kimi's performance (in Australia) was brilliant."
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Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:50 pm
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