Q. The start in Malaysia seemed to be the key moment of the race. Would you agree?
Kimi Raikkonen: I think the start is always important. We did
not have exactly the best start, but we were not happy after the race
anyhow. So we need to look into the last race to see the reasons why we
were not as good as we wanted to be. But for sure the start was not
ideal.
Q. What are your feelings for this race?
KR: I think we are going to be much happier here than we were
in the last race. Hopefully we are can work as we want and not be
forced to do anything that we don’t really want to do. If we can get a
good weekend without problems then we should be okay.
Q. What happened at the start in Malaysia? Why were the McLarens so good off the line?
KR: We lost two places at the start, that is what happened.
Sometimes it can happen in the starts. We didn’t have an ideal
situation at the start, but it has passed now and we will try to do
better next time.
Q. Did Lewis Hamilton take you by surprise coming up the inside like he did? It seemed you left a bit of a gap there?
KR: I don’t think so. I think looking at it afterwards it
would not have been good to move there. I wanted to do something else
and it cost me a place, but I don’t worry about it. It is only one
start out of many. These things happen.
Q. Lewis says he is learning a lot about other drivers in these races. Are you learning things about Lewis?
KR: I think you can learn a lot from people, about how they
race, but we are only a few races into the season and many things can
happen. Let’s see how it goes. I think he is doing a good job, but we
also should do better than we did last race.
Q. Fernando Alonso still believes McLaren have a long way to
catch up with Ferrari, even though they are leading both championships.
Do you think McLaren are still behind you?
KR: Looking at the last race it seems not, but it changes
very quickly. Hopefully we can be at our own level again here and be
challenging for the win. It is too difficult to say because the results
of both races were so different. Let’s wait until Sunday to see what
happens here.
Q. The last time McLaren fought for the world championship it was with you. Are they in better shape now than they were then?
KR: I don’t know. I haven’t driven their car but probably
yes. I think they are more at the level where we were in 2005 when they
had a good car. So it is going to be a big battle against them. In one
way it is nice, although we would rather be winning every race. We will
do the best we can and try to beat them always.
Q. Should you take more risk to win this race because of the championship situation?
KR: Like I said we are only two races into the championship.
It is not time to start panicking. I think what we had in the last
race, it didn’t make any sense to do any stupid things in the race. We
will see how it goes here and work out what we are going to do later.
Q. Do you understand what happened in Malaysia?
KR: I think we know most of the reasons but you never know
before the next race. We will see on Sunday, but I think we know why
were not so happy or so quick.
Q. Were you surprised your race pace was not so strong in the race?
KR: A little bit, yeah. But we know what we need to do and what was wrong – and hopefully it will be better here.
Q. McLaren talked about having a ‘tactical’ race in Malaysia,
with Lewis Hamilton backing up Ferrari as Fernando Alonso raced away in
the lead. Could such tactics be a worry for the championship as you are
fighting with Felipe Massa?
KR: I don’t know. I think there is always talk about being
number one or number two. But in the end we have the situation where we
are. It is normal to fight against your teammate and if some other
teams do something else, then it is up to them. We just need to make
sure we are in the front, and then we don’t need to worry about it.
Q. What is the best quality of McLaren?
KR: I don’t know. I think they seem to be strong again this
year. It is going to be hard to beat them, but that is why we are here.
But we definitely have the car and the team to beat them. But it is
early in the season so it can change a lot.
Q. Fernando says he is working harder at McLaren than before. How is it for you?
KR: I am more happy. I think I enjoy it more here.
Every team has different working ways but I am happy here so I don’t
know if it is harder work or less work. There are so many different
ways of looking at it. I am happy here so that is the main thing.
Kimi Raikkonen’s quiet confidence on track and party-friendly
reputation away from the paddock makes for an interesting combination. Formula1.com caught up with the Finn ahead of the Bahrain GP to find out a little more…
Q: What’s in your garage at home?
A: I have all kinds of things with motors like bikes and cars… basically anything that is quick.
Q: Tell us something we don’t know about you?
A: I’ve got two dogs, Ajax and Pepe.
Q: Your favourite song for karaoke?
A: I’m not the best singer in the world, but I do like a couple of Finnish singers and bands.
Q: What’s the most unusual request you’ve had from a fan?
A: There have been so many weird requests that it would be better if we don’t print them.
Q: Funniest thing you’ve read about yourself in the press?
A:
There have been many. Especially things where they say I was somewhere,
doing something when in reality I was at the other side of the world.
Q: When you’re at home, what do you listen to when driving?
A: Mainly today’s hits and Finnish music.
Q: Best part of being a Formula One driver – apart from the driving?
A: The competition.
Q: Your most prized possession?
A: My wife and my Ferrari Enzo.
Q: What would you be if you weren’t a racing driver?
A: I would probably be a professional in hockey or some other sport.
Q: Person you most admire?
A: My parents.
Q: Last good deed you did?
A: Charity things in Finland.
Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie?
A: Somebody who stars in action films.
Q: Do you have any bad habits?
A: Biting my nails
Hamilton on cusp of F1 history < This is one dude Kimi must watch out for this year
Engine not to blame for Kimi struggle – rival
McLaren joins race to lure Brawn – report
FUCK ISRAEL 
Pre – Bahrain news, regarding Kimi Raikkonen. Latest interview, photos are up.KRS – Evenstar Saima
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I can’t believe Kimi’s a nail biter 😛
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Really? Have a loot at his nails then 😛
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