Domenicali On ‘Unbelievable’ Kimi & Driver Rivalry

From Eurosport

Ferrari’s world champion of 2007 Kimi Raikkonen is an ‘unbelievable’ character, team boss Stefano Domenicali said on Wednesday.

At the traditional ‘Wrooom’ ski and media event in the Italian
Dolomites, Domenicali was asked about the famous personality of the
team’s reticent Finnish driver, who carries the nickname ‘Iceman’ on
his helmet.

"Kimi lives in another world; on another planet," he is quoted as saying by the German news agency SID.

Domenicali’s point is reinforced by an anecdote of the Italian press following the launch of the new F60 earlier this week.

According to colleagues who attended the Mugello roll-out of the
2009 car, while drivers Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher, Luca Badoer
and Marc Gene conversed in the paddock, 29-year-old Raikkonen was
asleep in a car in the carpark.

"Kimi isolates himself," Domenicali confirmed. "If he feels pressure, then it’s only because he has put it on himself."

"Nothing that is coming from the outside affects him at all – and that is unbelievable," he said.

Domenicali said he would never expect Raikkonen to emerge from the
winter break and ‘has suddenly learned Italian’, or is ‘suddenly
smiling’.

"That is not the way he is," the Italian explained. "But he is completely impatient to drive and win races again."

Stefano’s got that right! He’s a funny guy himself. The "Wrooom" event is currently rolling and thanks to our great members, all pictures and videos can be seen in the multimedia section of the KRS forum, so don’t miss out!

Domenicali: We Work For Both Drivers

"Last year we didn’t lose a single point due to mismanagement by our
drivers," said Domenicali.

"The team works for both drivers and if we can give them a
competitive car – as we hope we do – we won’t have any psychological
pressure from inside."

Domenicali says he has no doubts that Massa has now matured into a
serious title contender on the back of the progress he made as a driver
last year. And it means embarrassing errors, like his spins in
Australia and Malaysia, are now a thing of the past.

"I’ve met a very fresh and motivated Felipe Massa," said Domenicali.
"He matured a lot over the last season. His strong point over these
years was that he always believed in himself. I think he’s mentally ready and mature enough to manage the pressure, from inside and outside."

Domenicali also believes that Raikkonen is fired up to return to form in 2009.

“Kimi can’t wait to get back into the car and he’ll have the
possibility at Portimao,“ continued Domenicali. “He wants to show that
he’s himself again, after President Montezemolo’s joke, that it was his
twin brother driving by the end of the season.

“Kimi has and always had an enormous capacity: knowing how to detach
himself. This allows him not to feel any pressure from outside."

Domenicali reiterated his comments from the launch of the team’s new
F60 at Mugello on Monday that he was predicting a tough championship
because of the new regulations.

“We must remain with the feet on the ground, because it will be a
very difficult championship,” he said. “Looking ahead will also be
required from our partners, especially from Marlboro, with whom we’re
sharing a common project.

“It will be fundamental to be immediately competitive and to invest
in reliability and in simulation, which is very useful, because the
results can also be used in the road car production."

Looking further to the future, Domenicali would not be drawn on
renewed speculation that Fernando Alonso has signed an option with the
team for 2011.

"I think it’s difficult to add anything else to what has been said
as far as this issue is concerned,” he said. “Our drivers have signed
contracts, even if President Montezemolo has said ‘wait and see’.
Fernando is a great driver, but we’re extremely happy with the drivers
we have."

Stefano…I like you, but this is the second time you’ve said something increasingly frustrating about 2008 – the team didn’t lose a single point due to mismanagement of Kimi and Massa? I’m sorry, but Kimi was in the lead of the championship after 5 races and he should have been the priority then, at least ahead of the development stage, and maybe the season wouldn’t have turned out so bad for him.

I guess it’s alright that Massa still didn’t become champion after a teammate like Kimi was literally stuck in the mud. Massa definately is more prepared for the future, which is good thing as this season he’ll have to face the pressure all over again as far as I’m concerned. Massa will try and fight back to Hamilton this year. But Kimi is going to fight even harder. Keep Flying Kimi!