Kimi in a talking mood (relatively speaking): Monza, contract, Fisi etc.

This is perhaps the most informative single interview Kimi has given to the media during the current season, if not ever.

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/f1/2009/09/951579

Translation:

Räikkönen: Competitiveness in Monza is anyone’s guess
10.09.2009 19:17

Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen who is preparing for the Monza GP weekend considers the competitiveness of the Italian team on its home track a total mystery.

What do you expect from this weekend here in Monza? You’ve said earlier that there will be no victory from here. Is that so?

- We don’t know yet. I’ve always said that we have to see first how our car works here in Friday’s practice and because this is a low downforce circuit, we really don’t know how competitive we are. The kerbs are at places higher than before and it could benefit us but let’s see first how everything goes tomorrow, Friday. Perhaps other teams will have to drive around the kerbs more than before.

- At any rate the car is the same as it was in the previous four races so the only big difference is the low downforce on this track. It can change the situation a lot.

Does the Italian audience give you some extra power, like a double-KERS for this weekend?

-There are always lots of our fans here and therefore it is nice to come here as a member of the Ferrari team. Hopefully we can give them a good result. But as I said, so far it is just guesswork. Hopefully we can amass plenty of points and hopefully we can get on the podium again.

- Because this is Ferrari’s home race coming here is always a special occasion. Despite that it is our intention to do our work just as well as in other races. Although there are lots of Ferrari flags and red caps in the stands it will not really help us but of course we aim to give our fans the best possible result.

Is this a track that will benefit teams using KERS like Ferrari, McLaren and Renault?

- I can’t say. There are other fast cars out there too. I believe that the differences in performance between teams will be small.

How important was it to you to win in Belgium? Was it your way of letting everyone know, especially Ferrari, that you are still fast enough to fight for wins?

- They know at Ferrari what I am capable of and what I’ve accomplished before so the results don’t always tell everything. As far as my own future is concerned, I’ve always said that I have a contract for next season and it will not change whether I finish last or win races. In that light, the win in Belgium had no special significance. Of course I want to win and get good results and success is always good for the team. However my future is not affected by that.

You have collected more points after Silverstone than any other driver. How big of a surprise has it been to you?

- I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me that back then (at Silverstone). The last three races have been good to us but we have had some bad races too on the way. Although it has been good lately, it has come little too late. Had the results been good from the beginning of the season, everything would be better. Our car has not been bad although it has not been as fast as some others. We know why that is and in the last races we have managed to get everything possible out of it.

What can you tell us about your new teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella?

- I know him like I know the other drivers and we have on OK relationship as teammates. We work together just like I have always worked with my other teammates but for the most part I take care of my own business and he takes care of his. Hopefully together we can give the team a good result here.

- We really usually work with our own engineers and mechanics and if there is a part we can share somehow it could be comparison of tires.

Was the team’s decision to replace Luca Badoer with Giancarlo Fisichella the correct one?

- I cannot comment on that because it was not my decision but the team’s. Compared to Badoer, Fisichella has the advantage of having driven this year’s car a lot and although it is a different car, they are largely similar. In addition he has a lot of experience and therefore we have a chance for good results.

- He was perhaps the best available driver and in that sense it will be interesting to see how well he can drive.

What did the Belgian GP victory mean to you? Was it in a way an important milestone?

- Of course it was a great thing. We knew from the beginning of the season that our performance was not on the level we desired and we also knew that in Belgium we had a small chance to win in which we succeeded. We still aren’t at the level we’d like to be and we have no new parts for the car so it will not be easy from here on. Our success in the remaining races will depend on the tracks and conditions. Regardless, we will do our very best.