Of course he is happy; the Iceman officially owns the Number 1 on his F1 car for the 2008 season as the FIA revealed the entry list today.
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1. Kimi Raikkonen 2. Felipe Massa
From Autosport.com
Ferrari CEO Jean Todt is confident that Kimi Raikkonen is committed to his future at Ferrari, as he plays down suggestions that the Finn could simply walk away from Formula One.
Raikkonen said at the end of last season that he could not see himself growing ‘old’ in F1, prompting talk that the Finn could be tempted to leave the sport sooner rather than later.
But speaking in an interview with German publication Auto Motor Und Sport, Todt has said he reckons Raikkonen is fully content with life at Ferrari.
When asked by the publication how big was the danger that Raikkonen could terminate his career before the end of his contract, Todt said: "I am sure, as far as one can be sure in this point, that Kimi is happy with Ferrari.
"He loves driving. We know that he does not like certain things, and that is why we don’t request those of him.
"Racing drivers are only employees, but they are the workers with the most pressure. If they do not function right, then that has far larger consequence for the company that if the receptionist does not do a good job.
"Therefore I try to arrange the life of the drivers to be as pleasant as possible. Up to now I can say that always, if we asked gently Kimi to do something, he did it."
Although Todt feels there is little to choose between the talents of Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, he thinks the Finn’s character is far better suited to Ferrari.
"Kimi has ranked for five or six years as one of the best drivers. Therefore, I never understood the people who were disappointed by his achievements in the first half of the season.
"Is Kimi better or worse than Alonso? I cannot answer that. For me, both are excellent race drivers. It is the car that makes the difference. I selected Kimi, because he fits from his character better into our team."
Schumi Turned Down Team Boss Offer – Ferrari
Ferrari CEO Jean Todt says that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher turned down an offer to replace him as boss of the Formula One team.
Todt moved on from his role as sporting director at the Maranello team at the end of last season to make way for Stefano Domenicali – with the team having held lengthy talks with former technical director Ross Brawn throughout last season.
Speaking in an interview with German publication Auto Motor Und Sport, Todt claims that his ideal replacement was the team’s most successful driver.
"He would have been the best candidate for this job, but he did not want it," said Todt about Schumacher.
Speaking about why in the end the team did not reach agreement with Brawn, Todt said: "Ross is a very good man. His successes with Ferrari speak for themselves.
"We spoke with each other for a long time – about what was best for Ferrari and what was best for him. But it was better for both parties, on a long-term basis, that he went to Honda and we occupied the team boss position internally.
"Ross is now a competitor, but he will remain a friend of Ferrari and myself."
Todt has said he intends to visit a few races next year, although he has not yet finalised exactly how much involvement he will have.
"In the last 15 years I dreamed of being able to watch a grand prix on television in peace," he explained. "But no matter whether I am at the track or not, for me a grand prix will always be stressful. That will only change if I do not work no more for Ferrari."
FUCK ISRAEL 