ZitatEXCLUSIVE: Kimi on the F1 title and why he's keeping quiet about Red Bull rumours By PHIL DUNCAN PUBLISHED: 23:01 GMT, 29 June 2013 | UPDATED: 06:20 GMT, 30 June 2013
Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen was thrust into the limelight on Thursday after Mark Webber surprised everyone - including his employers at Red Bull - by announcing that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season. It's not a position the media-shy Finn, who is favourite to replace Webber at Red Bull, enjoys. But ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, Sportsmail tracked down the 2007 world champion to find out where his future lies, his title aspirations this term and why he isn't bothered about breaking Michael Schumacher's points record on Sunday.
Kimi, you're 42 points behind Vettel. After the Red Bulls dominant display in Canada, do you think the championship is now beyond you? No I don't think that the championship is over. You never know what is going to happen and we're not even halfway through the season yet. It would take just two bad races for Sebastain Vettel and two good races for me to be back on top so we will see what happens. The aim is always to win, and there's still a good chance so that's what I'll work for.
The British Grand Prix is one of only seven races in Europe this season. What do you make of there being so few races at traditional tracks on the calendar? It doesn't make much difference. The tracks are all different and challenging in their own way and there are some very good circuits outside of Europe, like Suzuka for example, so as long as the track is good, I don't mind where it is.
You've been involved in a number of incidents with Sergio Perez this season. How would you rate the standard of driving in your second stint in F1 in comparison to your early years in the sport? The standard of driving never really changes – you will always have experienced drivers and you will always have new ones who are a bit younger and are just starting out. When you reach Formula One, your level of driving has to be a certain standard otherwise you won't last long.It's frustrating when it affects your championship, but everyone goes through it.
You appeared to lose interest in the sport during your time with Ferrari. Can you explain why that was? And how different is the environment at Lotus? Life at Lotus is good – the team know what they are doing and I think we are very strong together. Everybody knows I just like to drive, but at Lotus I'm allowed to be myself and they respect who I am. It works well and I feel very comfortable here.
You could break Michael Schumacher's consecutive points record this weekend if you finish in the top 10 on Sunday. How would that rate among your other notable achievements in the sport? To be honest I don't really care about records. It is what it is, and it's never my aim. The aim is just to do well and to win always.
Who is the driver you most enjoy racing directly against and why? I don't really have one favourite – it's not just about who you are racing against, it's more often the situation. It depends on the corner, or the overtake, or the battle that you have. You just hope that there is enough experience and respect that to keep it clean and strong.
If there was one thing you could change about Formula One, what would it be? And why? People ask this quite a lot. I probably wouldn't change anything, just the amount of media that I have to do! F1 is what it is and part of the challenge is learning to adapt to the new rules and changes. So if you don't like it, don't do it.
Your contract with Lotus expires at the end of this season. Would you relish the opportunity to join Red Bull and race alongside Vettel next year? I don't pay attention to rumours and I'm not thinking about my future right now. We'll see what happens, my focus is on racing with Lotus and winning races.
Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button... and why? I wouldn't pick between the two. They are both cool guys and good drivers in their own right.
I was thinking about Kimi not caring about his record... But as I come to think of it, he sure has very good reasons for not caring much, because records don't always tell the whole truth. Still is quite an impressive achievement to finish 25 races in a row in the points. But compared with Schumacher's 24, they were from a different era, when only the top 6 drivers scored points and during Ferrari domination period. It also talks much about car reliability as it does about flawless driving.
I'm not a Schummy fan and I'm not diminishing Kimi's achievements but I'm still impressed when I read that out of those 24 finishes, Schummy had 14 wins (to Kimi's 2) and 21 podiums (to Kimi's 11). But you also have to take into account that Kimi did it after a 2 year F1 brake and without the top car! Plus Lotus team's blunders who may have cost him a few podiums or even some more wins.
So is pretty relative if you give it a thought. As always the Iceman is waaaay ahead of me.
ZitatKimi Raikkonen Q&A: I have no deadline for 2014 decision 06 Jul 2013
With his contract at Lotus expiring at the end of this season and a vacancy at Red Bull opening up following Mark Webber's confirmation he will leave at the end of the year, Kimi Raikkonen has been the talk of the paddock over the last week. We caught up with Raikkonen to find out his thoughts…
Q: Kimi, in 2009 Ferrari seemed like they couldn’t wait to get you out of their cockpit but three and a half years down the road you are now the hottest thing in an overall in the paddock. Are you surprised about your huge increase in popularity? Kimi Raikkonen: No, actually I’m not. Last year when I came back was not too bad and this year has been pretty okay. Things change quickly in Formula One. There have been many reasons for what happened in the past - but it is the past. Now let’s see what happens in the future.
Q: But it seems there’s something like a Kimi-mania at some teams at the moment… KR: …no, I am just doing my own stuff and obviously there are some people who like it. (laughs) I am only trying to do the best for myself and the team.
Q: When will you make a decision about where you will race next year? KR: I have no idea. I will obviously decide at a certain point but there are still a lot of things that have to be right and good things always take time. I have no deadline.
Q: You have frequently said that you feel comfortable at Lotus. What does ‘comfortable’ mean to you? KR: I want to do what I want. That’s it.
Q: Do you think you will have that luxury if you move somewhere else? KR: I have no idea. I have only been at some teams. Each team is different and you always have good things and sometimes there are bitter pills attached to it. There is no perfect world…
Q: But personal freedom seems very dear to you… KR: …yes, and I have always looked to get the maximum in that respect. But yes, at some teams you have a little more to do than at others. It largely depends on the sponsors. The important thing for me is that I can do my stuff and that has not been different in the past and will not change in the future.
Q: People dismiss lightly that money could be a decisive factor for you but, on the other hand, it is no secret that money makes the cars go round. What role could a well-stocked piggybank play in the decision process? KR: The money is one part of it but there is also another side to the coin. Whatever the decision will be, it will be very similar to what the situation is now in terms of the ‘piggybank’.
Q: Do you still dream of another title? KR: That’s why we are here. If it doesn’t happen this year we will try again in the future. It is always the aim to win races and championships. If it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen, but at least we keep trying.
Q: Hand on your heart. Is the title still on your agenda after all these years you’ve been in Formula One racing? KR: Of course. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
Q: You seem to have a good time here so why break your back? KR: Ha, I would have an even better time not racing! (laughs)
Q: What factor could play to Red Bulls advantage? Adrian Newey? KR: There is not just that one thing. I think there are things that matter with regards to racing and also some that are outside of racing. And it is never one thing that makes me make a decision. It’s the overall package. As surprising as this might sound, I look at the details! (laughs)
Q: Some teams would kill to get Adrian Newey on their payroll and you could be given the chance to drive his car… KR: …I’ve raced cars that he has designed! At Red Bull they want me but I have other choices - so time will tell.
Q: It wouldn’t be a surprise if those teams that develop engines and chassis have an advantage over the others in 2014. But obviously the two teams that do - Ferrari and Mercedes - are probably not an option for you. Could you therefore deduce that Red Bull might be closer to Renault than Lotus and would that be a factor in your considerations? KR: Stop, stop! I have no idea what they are doing at Red Bull. The only thing that I know is that Lotus is very close with Renault and they are working fantastically together. I don’t think that there is any difference between how the teams work together with Renault. They are very fair, so these considerations are not affecting my decision.
Q: How much will the friendship between you and Sebastian Vettel play a role? KR: It plays no role in the decision.
Q: What is relevant to your decision? KR: The decision has to be made in light of a bigger picture and not on single things. There are so many aspects that have to be considered. But one thing I can say is that right now I don’t know myself how the die is cast.
Q: Will you sit down with advisors and management to make the decision? Or wake up one morning and know which contract you will sign? KR: I will make the decision. And if it is good or bad I will be the one to blame. I can live with it, as it has been my choice.
Q: What do Sebastian and you both find so exciting in badminton? KR: It is a nice sport for practice. And I have to do something…
Q: Niki Lauda is quoted as saying that if you don’t move to Red Bull you are a mouse not a man. Does his viewpoint surprise you? KR: No, because it is normal for him to talk. (laughs) He can talk what he wants and I know him a little to know what he thinks.
Q: Will you make a return to the podium this weekend? KR: Obviously it hasn’t been too bad today, if you compare it to the previous three races. Hopefully we can challenge for a podium tomorrow.
Q: Have you been worried about the performance of the E21 in the last three races? KR: No. We just had some issues at the last races but we should have been on the podium in Silverstone. So the speed is definitely there.
Q: So you aren’t worried about a development slowdown? KR: No. Never.
ZitatRäikkönen in a rugged situation: No salary, no support
Julkaistu: 8.7.2013 17:01
Kimi Räikkönen is leaving Lotus after this season. It already starts to be sure in practice, although he almost won Germany GP.
They whispered on Nürburgring paddock that Lotus once again has difficulties paying Kimi's salary. Motorsport-Total even claimed that Räikkönen had threathened to leave the team in the middle of the season if the situation doesn't change.
Eric Boullier is also a small problem to Räikkönen. Yesterday Boullier's dual role as Lotus-team's team manager and Romain Grosjean's unofficial manager came inevitably to mind once again. The team's 2nd driver was allowed to hamper the 1st driver's chances to win the WDC. Grosjean has already lost his own chances for that.
The team order leading to the overtake was given though, but way too late. Räikkönen couldn't attack Vettel flatout because he wore out his tires behind Grosjean.
Räikkönen scored 7 points less than Vettel. The defeat can be much bigger in the WDC-battle, perhaps even crucial. Lotus doesn't work as well on many other tracks.
Zitat Kimi Raikkonen: Lotus move to convince driver not to join Red Bull By Andrew Benson Chief F1 writer
Lotus are trying to convince Kimi Raikkonen he should stay on next season rather than move to Red Bull.
Raikkonen, along with Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo, is a candidate for the Red Bull seat being vacated by Mark Webber, who is leaving Formula 1.
Team boss Eric Boullier told BBC Sport: "Two years in a row we have closed the gap with Red Bull. He wants to know if we will keep going like that.
"We are in discussions about the technical package we'll have."
Boullier said he expected a decision "before August".
"He is mature enough to decide for himself what is the right thing to do," Boullier said. "There are some upsides to going to Red Bull and some downsides as well."
After nine of this season's 19 races, the Finn is third in the championship, 41 points behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and seven adrift of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
Moreover, Boullier has to convince Raikkonen that the loss of highly rated technical director James Allison will not harm the team's prospects. Allison is expected to join Ferrari.
Boullier also confirmed that the team had been late in paying Raikkonen his salary, which insiders say had not been paid since the beginning of the year.
"It was paid late, yes," Boullier said. "But it has been paid. We have to if we want to keep him."
Asked if Raikkonen's salary was now up to date, Boullier replied: "Yes."
Red Bull have said they will decide by the end of August whether Raikkonen or Ricciardo would be a better choice to partner world champion Sebastian Vettel.
The other Red Bull junior driver at Toro Rosso, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, is out of contention.
Both choices have pros and cons for the teams.
Raikkonen, as world champion and winner of 20 grands prix, is a known quantity, who is fast and consistent but may not be as engaged technically as Red Bull would like.
Ricciardo has shown promise, with some impressive qualifying performances, but there are questions over his race-craft, consistency and ability to handle the pressure that comes with partnering Vettel and being expected to perform consistently at the front of the field.
Raikkonen has to weigh up the benefits of a potentially faster car against the prospect of taking on Vettel in the same team.
While Lotus want to keep Raikkonen, there are doubts about the future of his team-mate, Franco-Swiss Romain Grosjean, who finished a strong third in Germany but has been inconsistent this year after a crash-strewn debut full season in 2012.
Grosjean's presence brings a guaranteed sponsorship from French oil company Total, reputedly worth around £5m.
German Nico Hulkenberg, whose relationship with his Sauber team has deteriorated since he joined them for this season, is keen to move to Lotus.
Williams driver Pastor Maldonado has also been linked with the team, but Williams sources say there is no way out of his contract.
Maldonado is linked to the team's sponsorship deal with Venezuelan oil giant PDVSA, which is worth £30m a year and runs until the end of 2015.
Japanese former Sauber driver Kamui Kobabayashi, who is racing for Ferrari in sportscars this season after his failure to find an F1 seat, has also been mentioned in connection with Lotus.
McLaren are likely to retain both Jenson Button and Sergio Perez.
Ferrari have to decide whether to retain Felipe Massa, which is the preferred option of president Luca Di Montezemolo.
Massa's prospects have not been improved by four difficult weekends in a row. He crashed in practice at the Monaco, Canadian and British Grands Prix and then spun out of the race in Germany on Sunday during lap four.
Ferrari's list of alternatives includes Hulkenberg, Force India's Paul Di Resta and Marussia's Jules Bianchi.
The reports they are getting from Sauber about Hulkenberg have not been positive, despite the obvious promise he has shown in some races, particularly in leading last year's Brazilian Grand Prix for Force India.
Di Resta is considered an outside bet and while Bianchi, a member of Ferrari's driver academy, has impressed in his debut season, it is hard to judge his ultimate potential.
It would be a risk to throw him in alongside Alonso, who is a commanding figure both in and out of the car.
Twitter: Peter Baert: Kimi Räikkönen is special guest during "Everts and Friends" on July 21 in Genk (Belgium). Kimi will race on a MX bike! " title="blink" />
ZitatLotus: Kimi probably has the toughest attitude of all drivers
Iltalehti 12.7.2013 (paper edition)
By Riku Korkki
Lotus-team's branding manager Stephane Samson told Iltalehti that the team hasn't planned any marketing strategy around Räikkönen. Everything just fell in place.
According to Samson Lotus wants to be as transparent, open and friendly as possible. The team has applied the same philosophy with Räikkönen also.
Samson says that Kimi is already a big boy who knows how the F1-circus operates.
–We have never asked him to smile or to give longer replies to the media. We have only asked him to be himself.
–Maybe this is why he feels safe and why he has started to show more of his personality. But I emphasize that this has not been any deliberate action. Kimi is Kimi. Period.
Samson tells that Räikkönen is much more multidimensional than the tv-footage reveals.
–He is honest, straight, loyal, easy-going, brave, caring and also very funny.
Samson confirms that Räikkönen demands a lot from his team.
–Working with Kimi is like sky diving. If you fail once, you don't get a new chance.
–But this suits us well. He only demands as much from others as he demands from himself. There is no room for mistakes.
According to Samson Kimi has to be given his own space when he needs it.,
–You can see from him when it's a good time to talk, joke or just walk in another direction.
Motivates the whole team
Samson says that during GP-weekends Kimi's attitude is probably tougher than any other driver's attitude is.
–But when the race is over, Kimi turns into a whole different person. He becomes one of the most relaxed guys on our planet.
Samson also praises that Räikkönen knows how to take victories. This motivates the team's 500 employees in the factory.
–His ability to manage the car is completely amazing.
And Räikkönen never resorts to politics.
–He just does his job. It makes the team's life so much easier.
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