start time?
NASCAR is way better at "exiting" rain off the track than F1. They've got a fleet of different vehicles/ tractors exiting the rain off the track
Oh well, he had fun I presume. Tweet— Twitter API (@user) date Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
At the start he had moved up about 10 spots from his bad qualifying in 27th, although the announcers didn't talk about him at that time, then some cars started pitting and I lost track of him. Looked like the accident was totally not his fault, just got stuck in traffic in the bus stop and hit from behind. I never really watch NASCAR, but tuned in to see how Kimi would do. Geeze, they delayed the start for rain, but about all the announcers could point out was that there had been no races in the wet in the current cars so no one had much idea of how it would go in the wet, and then transition to dry.
I gave up on NASCAR years ago but tried to watch this race just to see Kimi in action. I don't get the whole Stage 1, 2, 3 thing and don't care enough to understand it--just another artifice. Thanks but no thanks.
All I know is that at the time of his accident, he had the 5th fastest lap. Not bad going all things considered!
There are many and varied opinions on Kimi. One thing that most have in common is recognition of his talent. Some say he squandered it. But pretty much everyone agrees that he can flat-out drive.
I agree with that: Kimi was a wasted talent. He gave his best in his early years in F1 (at McLaren) and then "free-wheeled" for the rest of his career. Personally, I think Kimi was too laid-back and couldn't care less. Kimi races because he likes it and has a good time. I put Jenson Button in the same category, and Eddie Irvine too. All these 3 were talented, but not focussed on winning. Same with James Hunt really: immensely talented but no concentration. When the ground effect cars arrived, Hunt couldn't be bothered to adapt to them, and just gave up mid-season.
I don't think his career was squandered, maybe from an objective POV but his main limitations where out of his hands: He really enjoyed the early Michelin's but at the time his Mclaren was massively unreliable. He didn't like the Bridgestones but just about managed to win a title with it. 2008 he was quick but early on Ferrari changed the suspension in a direction that was quicker on paper. After spending almost the entire season like that and Ferrari refused to change it, finally with a few races to go they changed it back on his car and he was immediately on form. The Pirelli's where ok on his comeback but halfway through 2013 they changed the tyre structure and he lost the feedback he wanted from the car. The tyres only got worse after that for his liking. Yes he's not a master of adaption like the true greats are, but *******, if he was in a car he liked he was unbeatable. Shame that the time he really had that, the car was massively unreliable (2005) or old (2003, which was essentially the 2002 car, which was far from great). For me he remains a great champion
Bas and william -- thank you both for making my first sentence about Kimi (above) look very apropos. For my part, I've come to believe that Mr Raikkonen is F1's equivalent of a zen koan. We contemplate him and his career to push our minds beyond the rational and find enlightenment. Sadly, it hasn't worked for me. Despite deep thinking about #7, my laptimes haven't dropped. Which is a great reminder of just how truly talented Kimi is. *note: it has been suggested by some that you need a mind with which to meditate, and mine is sadly absent. This may or may not explain my love of driving around in funny shaped circles, as well as why they insist on putting us on loop courses. We drivers are less prone to getting lost that way.
He ran as high as eighth yesterday, but some of that might have been due to pit stop rotations. He was holding his own, for sure. I always liked the guy. He does things on his own terms and isn’t too concerned about what others may think of him. He may have stayed around for one or two seasons too long, but I’m sure it was about the money, and why not?.
In his day/on his day he was nearly unbeatable. Lightning fast and decisive, he raced hard but always raced fair. Can't say that about all of his peers.
Happy Birthday Iceman.....43 years young. Sauber in 2001. Mclaren F1(2002-2006) Ferrari (2007-2009) Lotus (2012-2013) Ferrari (2014-2018) Alfa Romeo (2019-2021) Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Kimi Raikkonen Tribute - The Iceman
"I'm always happy" Happy Birthday Kimi! Raikkonen Indonesia on Twitter: "Minttu: Happy? Kimi: I'm always happy #Kimi7 #KR7 https://t.co/uxcz2RTDK6" / Twitter
