It was a long press day for Kimi Raikkonen at two events and the FIA press conference. Quotes and videos below. Check out the photo gallery here.
Drivers – Marcus ERICSSON (Caterham), Pastor MALDONADO (Lotus), Sergio PÉREZ (Force India), Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN (Ferrari) Adrian SUTIL (Sauber), Jean-Eric VERGNE (Toro Rosso)
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: First of all, a question to all of you about the ban on large amounts of radio traffic between the team and the driver. Kimi, you famously told the team “leave me alone, I know what I’m doing.” Does that mean you welcome this change?
Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN: Well, obviously we don’t speak a lot on the radio in my case usually, when there are no issues – but obviously it might get quite complicated if there are some problems with the car and you have to change certain things to try to finish the race. I don’t know how the rule goes at those times. Obviously it makes it more complicated for us but it’s part of the game so it’s OK.
Q: Kimi, coming back to you, obviously this season hasn’t been quite what you expected it to be – but did you expect to have your problems sorted out by now? And what’s your focus for the remaining six races or so?
KR: Obviously to do as well as we can and have good results for the team and for myself. I expect it to be difficult. Probably the team didn’t expect to have such difficulties over all. We expected to be more stronger overall. It’s part of the game and we have to try to sort things out. I think we have done pretty good improvements – compared to where we started – as a team and obviously then I’m getting more happy with things but obviously still not where we want to be in the end. Still a lot of work to do.
QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Heikki Kulta –Turun Sanomat) Kimi, it’s two hours in very humid conditions; Nico Rosberg said that the last laps are always very painful here because it’s physically so demanding. How painful are they for you?
KR: I don’t know. Everybody has their own feelings so I can’t know how they feel like but in the past it hasn’t been a problem. It doesn’t feel as hot or humid in the last years unless the course has slowed in the race, so I don’t see why it should suddenly be a problem.
[ Source: fia.com | espn.co.uk | crash.net ]
Raikkonen plays with Shell V Power Lego Collection
Kimi Räikkönen is a man who loves his beauty sleep. Shortly after admitting that the F1 Night Race gets in the way of his tuck-in time, the Finnish racer fails to suppress a yawn while answering a question.
In that moment, his seemingly smug saunter and aloof mannerisms just became the quirks of a simply tired man.
When asked if the hot and humid weather in Singapore would affect his performance, Räikkönen curtly answered, “No. We practice whether it’s hot or cold.”
Well, isn’t he a hard-hitter! That’s F1 World Champion material right there.
And while he expresses appreciation towards the folks at Shell and Ferrari for helping him improve his performance, he is quick to lay down the cold facts. It’s his engine team who works with the machine, he says, so he doesn’t have much engagement with the technical end of things.
Personally, Räikkönen’s honesty is very refreshing.
What he does get hands-on with are the miniatures of Shell V-Power’s new Lego collection, which he takes for a race on the stage. That’s right – together with a lucky #readysetbuild contest winner, he raced the miniature against Shell’s Trackside and Logistics Manager Ian Albiston.
And of course, Räikkönen emerged on top.
Interestingly, he’s got some stringent standards on who should be playing Lego. He explained that he did play with building blocks when he was younger, “but not anymore,” he remarks with a cynical glint in his eyes.
“And it is only for those who are not too young,” he asserts, putting an age limit on the fun of Lego.
[ Source: weekender.com.sg | ferrari.com ]
Kimi Wishes Hublot in Singapore Happy 5th Birthday!
Celebrated driver makes an exclusive appearance at Hublot Boutique at Marina Bay Sands in conjunction with the adrenaline-charged 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.
Hublot Boutique in Singapore had the privilege of having distinguished Scuderia Ferrari driver, Kimi Räikkönen visit, commemorating the boutique’s fifth year at luxury destination Marina Bay Sands. A milestone to remember, there was no better way than to honour this special moment.
An exclusive private event to some of Hublot’s top VIP guests, it not only celebrates Hublot’s anniversary but also underlines Hublot’s strong partnership with Ferrari. A watch enthusiast and friend of Hublot, Kimi Räikkönen showcased his skills by assembling Hublot’s Manufacture UNICO movement a caliber engineered in all Big Bang Ferrari.
Hublot is the « Official Watch » and “Official Timekeeper” of Ferrari worldwide since 2011. A comprehensive collaboration covering all the activities of Ferrari with Hublot, both in terms of communication, motorsport and commercial activities with also an Hublot presence on the Scuderia Ferrari cars and drivers’ gloves. The outcome is the creation of an exclusive range of bold timepieces that uniquely addresses the respective DNA of Hublot and Ferrari: innovation, performance, technology and exclusivity.
A comprehensive range of limited edition Ferrari timepieces were displayed in the boutique, showcasing the proliferating strength of Hublot and Ferrari’s partnership. ”I am happy to be representing Scuderia Ferrari to commemorate Hublot’s anniversary as a mark of respect of both brand’s illustrious affiliation. Here’s wishing Hublot greater success in the future!” says Kimi Räikkönen.
[ Source: Hublot Forum | ferrari.com ]
KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN SPACE 