Source: AFCA
In an exclusive interview on Sky Italia tonight, Kimi Raikkonen talks about making impressions as a F1 debutant, reaching over due success at Ferrari and plans for the future.
Q: What did you think when you came into Formula 1, when you were
approached by a prestigious team like McLaren and when you moved to
another great team, Ferrari ?
Raikkonen: ”I don’t remember too much of the first test and the first
experience. It was all electrifying and new. It was a fun first year.
Certainly, there were also dissapointments, but they’re inevitable when
you confront yourself with a new experience. You try, but at times you
don’t exactly know what you have to do and what you don’t. It was a
more than positive year for the team. I’ve felt well at Sauber.
Straight after the first year I’ve gone to McLaren, where I’ve stayed
for a a number of years. It was a nice period, eventhough we’ve
expected better results. And then lastly the move to Ferrari. It was
the best chance I’ve had so far. I’ve won the first race of the season
and the title. Moreover, I like working at Ferrari. Like I’ve said
before, there’s a nice atmosphere. They let me do what I want and we
work well together. I feel well within the team. Without a doubt it’s
the best experience I’ve had in Formula 1. From that point of view I
succeed in enjoying Formula 1 more than I was able to in the past.”
Q: What meant Formula 1 for you when you were a boy ? What’s it like
now being a worldchamp ? Do you like this kind of Formula 1 ?
Raikkonen: ”As a kid I used to watch the Grand Prix’. Everyone was
dreaming of becoming a driver, I only started thinking about it at the
age of 18-19 though. It was at that age I started thinking of really
doing this job. Before that I changed my mind every other day dreaming
to become this character or that one, also from other sports. Today
Formula 1 is my job and it’s also what I love to do. I’m more enjoying
it now becuase I’ve won. I like to drive and to race. Of course,
Formula 1 isn’t just about fantastic things, but it’s part of it.” Q: There are people that say you’re an unlucky driver because you’ve
lost out on two worldtitles. What do you think about that now ? Have
you ever thought about being unlucky ?
Raikkonen: ”During some moments luck wasn’t on my side, but there were
also a lot of other reasons to it. Things could have gone differently a
few years ago, but at least I’ve won last year. Moreover, when you
loose, you always learn something. It’s not the nicest ways of
learning, but it helps from a certain point of view. Now I’m content
and I don’t think much about fortune. When you work solidly, you’ll
obtain what you want.”
Raikkonen: ”No, it’s not really like that. I think there were some
longer ones. Our relationship is very good. ”He can be hard when it’s
necessary, but also very amicable and correct with everyone. He’s very
friendly, like everyone in Formula 1, or better at Ferrari. A good
person he is.”
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know, ask them. I don’t really care. Certainly,
there are people that like you and others that don’t, but I don’t think
you can be sympathetic perforce to everyone, so I do what I want and if
people don’t like that, then so be it. It’s not my problem.” Q: What are your objectives ? Win as many worldtitles as Schumacher ? Or become the ‘oldest’ Formula 1 driver ?
Raikkonen: ”I surely don’t want to become the oldest Formula 1 driver,
I’ll stop earlier than that. I want to get good results and win as many
races and championships as possible. I’m not prefixed to break other
drivers’ records or to remain in Formula 1 longer than everyone else.
I’ll continue to do so for as long as I like it. I’ll stop on the day I
no longer have fun.”
Raikkonen: ”Who, me ? I was a kid, so everything was a lot more fun.
It wasn’t all that serious. In Formula 1 a lot of things are done
seriously. It are different situations. Back then it was a game, it was
a lot more fun.”
Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done as a kid ? Perhaps so crazy
you’re father was shouthing: ‘Enough Kimi….come here !’ ….
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know, there have been a lot of these things.
I’ve combined a lot of them so I can’t remember one particularly…” Q: What kind of boy were you ?
Raikkonen: ”I was pretty wild, always doing things I shouldn’t have. It was always like that.” Q: Is there something that you wouldn’t do again ? Something crazy… ?
Raikkonen: ”No, for now no.”
Raikkonen: ”I don’t know. I want to have kids, but not now because I’m
too busy…. When you have kids it would be nice to see them also. We
should wait some years.”
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know. We’ll see…I think I’ll manage.”
Raikkonen: ”I am who I am…. and I’m happy with myself.
Raikkonen: ”Yes. I don’t see why one must change. You’re life is no
longer nice and fun when you try to be someone you’re not.”
In an exclusive interview on Sky Italia tonight, Kimi Raikkonen talks about making impressions as a F1 debutant, reaching over due success at Ferrari and plans for the future.
Q: What did you think when you came into Formula 1, when you were
approached by a prestigious team like McLaren and when you moved to
another great team, Ferrari ?
Raikkonen: ”I don’t remember too much of the first test and the first
experience. It was all electrifying and new. It was a fun first year.
Certainly, there were also dissapointments, but they’re inevitable when
you confront yourself with a new experience. You try, but at times you
don’t exactly know what you have to do and what you don’t. It was a
more than positive year for the team. I’ve felt well at Sauber.
Straight after the first year I’ve gone to McLaren, where I’ve stayed
for a a number of years. It was a nice period, eventhough we’ve
expected better results. And then lastly the move to Ferrari. It was
the best chance I’ve had so far. I’ve won the first race of the season
and the title. Moreover, I like working at Ferrari. Like I’ve said
before, there’s a nice atmosphere. They let me do what I want and we
work well together. I feel well within the team. Without a doubt it’s
the best experience I’ve had in Formula 1. From that point of view I
succeed in enjoying Formula 1 more than I was able to in the past.”
Q: What did you think at the moment you were alone for the first time after having won the championship ?
Raikkonen: ”I was very happy because I had finally obtained what I
dreamt of all my life. It was a wonderful feeling. Being there alone, I
thought of all the years before I got to the point (of actually doing
it – AFCA). A unique and intense feeling, also considering the way in
it was won.”
Q: What meant Formula 1 for you when you were a boy ? What’s it like
now being a worldchamp ? Do you like this kind of Formula 1 ?
Raikkonen: ”As a kid I used to watch the Grand Prix’. Everyone was
dreaming of becoming a driver, I only started thinking about it at the
age of 18-19 though. It was at that age I started thinking of really
doing this job. Before that I changed my mind every other day dreaming
to become this character or that one, also from other sports. Today
Formula 1 is my job and it’s also what I love to do. I’m more enjoying
it now becuase I’ve won. I like to drive and to race. Of course,
Formula 1 isn’t just about fantastic things, but it’s part of it.” Q: There are people that say you’re an unlucky driver because you’ve
lost out on two worldtitles. What do you think about that now ? Have
you ever thought about being unlucky ?
Raikkonen: ”During some moments luck wasn’t on my side, but there were
also a lot of other reasons to it. Things could have gone differently a
few years ago, but at least I’ve won last year. Moreover, when you
loose, you always learn something. It’s not the nicest ways of
learning, but it helps from a certain point of view. Now I’m content
and I don’t think much about fortune. When you work solidly, you’ll
obtain what you want.”
Q: How’s your relationship with president Di Montezemolo ? He’s said
that the longest sentence he has once heard you say was: ‘I’m very
happy to drive for Ferrari’…
Raikkonen: ”No, it’s not really like that. I think there were some
longer ones. Our relationship is very good. ”He can be hard when it’s
necessary, but also very amicable and correct with everyone. He’s very
friendly, like everyone in Formula 1, or better at Ferrari. A good
person he is.”
Q: Do you think people like you ?
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know, ask them. I don’t really care. Certainly,
there are people that like you and others that don’t, but I don’t think
you can be sympathetic perforce to everyone, so I do what I want and if
people don’t like that, then so be it. It’s not my problem.” Q: What are your objectives ? Win as many worldtitles as Schumacher ? Or become the ‘oldest’ Formula 1 driver ?
Raikkonen: ”I surely don’t want to become the oldest Formula 1 driver,
I’ll stop earlier than that. I want to get good results and win as many
races and championships as possible. I’m not prefixed to break other
drivers’ records or to remain in Formula 1 longer than everyone else.
I’ll continue to do so for as long as I like it. I’ll stop on the day I
no longer have fun.”
Q: Were you as serious as a kind (as you are now) when you were driving karts ?
Raikkonen: ”Who, me ? I was a kid, so everything was a lot more fun.
It wasn’t all that serious. In Formula 1 a lot of things are done
seriously. It are different situations. Back then it was a game, it was
a lot more fun.”
Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done as a kid ? Perhaps so crazyyou’re father was shouthing: ‘Enough Kimi….come here !’ ….
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know, there have been a lot of these things.
I’ve combined a lot of them so I can’t remember one particularly…” Q: What kind of boy were you ?
Raikkonen: ”I was pretty wild, always doing things I shouldn’t have. It was always like that.” Q: Is there something that you wouldn’t do again ? Something crazy… ?
Raikkonen: ”No, for now no.”
Q: Would you like to have a big family ?
Raikkonen: ”I don’t know. I want to have kids, but not now because I’m
too busy…. When you have kids it would be nice to see them also. We
should wait some years.”
Q: Do you think you would be a good dad ?
Raikkonen: ”I wouldn’t know. We’ll see…I think I’ll manage.”
Q: Have you never thought about it ? Do you think you’re cool ?
Raikkonen: ”I am who I am…. and I’m happy with myself.
Q: And you’re always yourself ?
Raikkonen: ”Yes. I don’t see why one must change. You’re life is no
longer nice and fun when you try to be someone you’re not.”
FUCK ISRAEL 