Andreas will particularly enjoy this....... Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY from corriere dello sport Translated interview with Raikkonen: Q: ''Kimi, welcome back to work. It's something different returning to work as a worldchampion, isn't it ? Raikkonen: ''It's definately a nice feeling. But winning the title hasn't changed my life. It is what I wanted, what I had always desired to become when I started driving. I've tried it for many years, I've come very close to it twice. At the end it came to me.'' Q: It's a very special championship. Raikkonen: ''Special because it was a really unexpected one. In fact, at some stage we looked beaten. We've overcome our difficulties and we've done it. It's true, finishing first like that has a different taste to it.'' Q: Some people say that on the night after becoming worldchampion, you've celebrated in a rather, how do you say it.... obstreperous fashion... Raikkonen: ''Hehe...we've had a nice party and that was all.'' Q: But the story didn't even end there. How did you experience the 'fuel case' that could have cost you the title ? Raikkonen: ''I wasn't worried. It's a mood I always try to avoid getting in. Let's say I was rather confident. There were no reasons to change the result in Brasil. It's true that you're never certain of anything. This year really a whole lot of things happened.'' Q: So...? Raikkonen: ''So I was at home (I think he means his hotel - AFCA) waiting for news to come out, without much distress. Domenicali called me up to tell me everything was fineell. At the end it's what I had expected. At that point I've started to fully feel worldchampion.'' Q: And you say nothing has changed ? Raikkonen: ''I haven't changed. My life hasn't changed. I can understand that some people look at me in a different way now. The worldtitle perhaps changed things for others, not for me. Let's put it like this: I've reached a goal that I've been striving for for a long time.'' Q: To get to the point, you've given up driving for a team that seemed to be made for you, McLaren, and you've gone to a team that apperantly wouldn't have suited you, Ferrari. Raikkonen: ''And I'm happy that the worldtitle has come here (at Ferrari). At Ferrari I feel very well, and I've left McLaren because they had some problems, that seems obvious to me.'' Q: Problems similar to those experienced by Alonso and Hamilton this year ? Raikkonen: ''I don't feel like getting into this diatribe at all. What happened at McLaren (this year) doesn't interest me, honestly. I was in a situation that I didn't like much. There were things not strictly related to the races. It were rather things to do with my behaviour, with the way I spent my spare time. I've always been very clear: I want to live my life !'' Q: How would you have felt in Alonso's place ? Raikkonen: ''Not even bad, I'd say. I've always looked to the relationship with my teammates with great ease.'' Q: And if he finds a seat at Ferrari in 2009 ? Raikkonen: ''No problem. I won't change my way of life, or that of driving. It would be interesting to compete against each other in the same car. But I don't know when and if it will happen. Perhaps it takes a very long time.'' Q: Was you relationship with Dennis very tense ? Raikkonen: ''Oh, we've had some discussions. But no e-mail contact.'' Q: In short, at Ferrari you feel a lot better... Raikkonen: ''Definately. I'm happy with the team, I'm satisfied about the relationship with the engineers and with all the rest of it. I don't see any reason to move anywhere else. This team is simply it for me. I don't know if this will be my last contract, but I want Ferrari to be my last team.'' Q: Are you already thinking about retiring ? Raikkonen: ''Not at all. My horizon goes as far as 2009, when my contract with Ferrari comes to an end. I don't restrain myself with any limits. I don't know for how many more years I will drive.'' Q: But surely you know how many more worldtitles you want to win. Hamilton has said he wants seven. Raikkonen: ''I've always said that I didn't want to retire as long as I hadn't won one. This objective has been reached. Now I want other titles, as many as possible. To start off with the next.'' Q: And if you don't make it next year ? Raikkonen: ''Then I'll try again in 2009. I definately haven't run out of fuel for the moment.'' Q: Let's talk about the championship once more, the one you just won. How did Hamilton loose out on it ? Raikkonen: ''Simple. He made a number of mistakes. His car was very reliable and he's done silly things at the wrong moments. It happened.'' Q: In his debut year with McLaren do you think he collapsed under the weight of this very hard season... Raikkonen: ''I don't know if it's relevant to talk about him being a rookie. I think that finding yourself in a certain situation and in a team in which the psychological pressure is always high, he has had his share in going the wrong way at the decisive moment.'' Q: Are these Hamilton's woes and Raikkonen's merits ? Raikkonen: ''I've won more races. In racing that's how it works.'' Q: But there's something not right. You've won the title in a way people should still be remembering it after a long time. Instead, we're always talking about Hamilton the rising star, about Schumacher who won't come back racing, or perhaps he does, about Alonso who still hasn't found a new team. Isn't that strange to you ? Raikkonen: ''That seems very nice to me. In that way the others are always in the spotlights and I live a quiet and amusing life. You know what ? I'm worldchampion and no-one will take that away from me. The only thing that interests me is the trophee that belongs to the worldchampion and that I'm going to collect in Monaco on Friday. I gladly let the others have other rewards, those like the driver of the year and that kind of thing.'' Q: Do you not feel the best driver having won the title ? Raikkonen: ''Coming from the presumption that Formula 1 drivers are the best in the world, that means I'm one of the best 22 and that already means a lot to me.'' Q: Thursday you will take part in the celebrations of Finlands' independance, Friday you'll go to Monaco and on Saterday you'll go to Maranello for Ferrari's Christmas party. What do you think you'll enjoy most ? Raikkonen: ''The feast on Saturday, the least official one. There are a lot of kids. I like kids. Q: Once you chose a pseudonim for taking part in an ice race. You chose James Hunt. Why ? Raikkonen: ''It's a character I've always liked. He was a worldchampion and lived in a way I liked. He was a different driver to all the others I'd known. But Formula 1 as a whole was probably different in the '70's.'' Q: You're a universial character too now, a worldchampion, eventhough you're still not driving with the number 1 on the car. Feelings about that ? Raikkonen: ''The number isn't all that important eventhough I'll like it more when I see the 1 on my car. I've won the title and I count on winning it again next year. But I'm perfectly aware that will be very difficult. Q: Is it more or less difficult to drive without traction control ? Raikkonen: ''From that point of view, it will be fun. When I've sat in the car it felt as if I had returned to 2000 when I tested the Sauber at Mugello without electronic aids. I've had the impression of being younger, not bad.'' Q: How will the driving style change in the race ? Raikkonen: ''Essentially, you'll need to be more concentrated. Every small distraction could lead to a decisive mistake. It won't be that easy.'' Q: Schumacher now has a much more active rol in the team compared to the last months. Did your relationship with him change ? Raikkonen: ''Not at all. I continu to have an absolute friendly, I'd say normal, relationship with Michael. We're not great friends in a way that you call each other regularly or go out together on evenings. But that doesn't mean anything. It's the same with Felipe.'' Q: But it was wise of the team not to let you two test together. Raikkonen: ''Yes, for a number of good reasons. First of all there's no temptation to push very hard just for the sake of it. And then a lot of useless talk is avoided.'' Q: Can I ask you a comment on an alleged love story in the papers about you and an Italian girl. Raikkonen: ''Of course you can ask that and of course I won't respond to it.''
Just what I would expect from him a pure class act IMO..Didnt know he was a James Hunt fan more respect to the man.. Q Kimi whats happening with this Italian bird..? Real translation: Raikkonen:mindyourownfrickinbusinessyoutoe-ragmumblemumble
...I like this guy Raikonnen, he can stay around as long as he wants. ...Loved the answer to the italian girl Affaire...classy ...or classic?
Sounds like he was not going to be henpecked by RD. "I live a quiet and amusing life." James Hunt, and you all say Kimi has no sence of humor.
Q: Was you relationship with Dennis very tense ? Raikkonen: ''Oh, we've had some discussions. But no e-mail contact.'' ROTFL
i think ever since Kimster joined the Scuderia, he seemed more calm and relaxed since he was in his Mac days. look at those responses. btws Kimi, what Italian chic?
He is more relaxed. They don't have all the rules and restrictions on his private life. For better or worse.
I knew I liked Kimi before, love him now! I was just looking at an old F1 Racing I have comparing the new guns in F1, Montoya, Alonso, Raikkonen, and Bernoldi, quite the read!
I remember several people here on this board screaming that Ferrari should not only institute some of those rules but just about put him in lockdown when his performance wasn't up to par after the first race. Boy, how times change.
I posted this on another thread: don't ever see Alonso at Ferrari. There are too many similarities to Alain Prost. (Disaster, waiting to happen) My prediction - and you read it here first - in 2009 or 2010, you will see in a Ferrari F1.............................. . . . . . . . . . Sebastian Vettel here are my reasons why. 1. He's talented 2. Schumacher loves him. 3. He is in their 'B' team currently, so they are going to keep a close eye on his development. I have no facts other than the above. Just Bar talk. Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY
I apologize ahead of time if this question was answered/posted elsewhere, but why is Kimi not going to have the number 1 on his car?
I apologize ahead of time if this question was answered/posted elsewhere, but why is Kimi not going to have the number 1 on his car? It will be issued in 2008. they still leave the 2007 numbers on until year end.
Excellent interview. Kimi comes across as more relaxed now that he's WDC. Hopefully he'll drive even better in 2009 From the test pics I've seen Kimi is still using number 6. #1 will be issued until the 2008 season. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Kimster is just the man. I love the youtube video of him when some girl reporter is nagging him on the grid and he just totally blows her off and when he does answer the questions they are the most smartass remarks ever.
Q: In short, at Ferrari you feel a lot better... Raikkonen: ''Definately. I'm happy with the team, I'm satisfied about the relationship with the engineers and with all the rest of it. I don't see any reason to move anywhere else. This team is simply it for me. I don't know if this will be my last contract, but I want Ferrari to be my last team.'' Very interesting, as we all first thought his icy Finnishness and excessive partying wouldn't mate too well with the hot-blooded, but dilligent Italians. Opposites attract, it seems.
I loved him when all the MS fawning was going on in Sao Paulo last year and his comments were that he was having a ****. He bows to no god and I like that.
