ZitatKimi Raikkonen says it is no surprise to be second By Jonathan Noble and Sam Tremayne Tuesday, May 21st 2013
Kimi Raikkonen sees no reason to be surprised at his excellent start to the 2013 Formula 1 campaign.
The Finn triumphed in this year's Australian opener and has finished runner-up in every other grand prix bar Malaysia, where he came home seventh.
Though that has moved him to within four points of the outright points lead, Raikkonen insists there is no sense of shock within Lotus at such strong early form.
"I don't see why we should be surprised; I don't think there is any magic behind it," Raikkonen said.
"We wanted to improve on the start to last year and we have done that.
"I know the team and they know me, we have more experience [and] we've been quite consistent and quite fast this year.
"The aim was to start the first races better and we've already put ourselves in a strong position.
"We wanted to win more races already, but it hasn't happened.
"Looking at it afterwards, you're never happy - even if you win all the races, you're probably not 100 per cent happy."
While Raikkonen has missed out on the podium just once this year, he has only once qualified higher than third.
Despite the apparent difference between Lotus's qualifying and race pace - which the team believes it can address at Monaco - Raikkonen does not believe the team is unduly benefiting from Pirelli's high-degradation rubber.
"It's changed a bit over the years but I think the main things are still the same," he said of the nature of this year's racing.
"If you're not fast, you're not going to be on the podium; first you have to be strong enough to put yourself there.
"Maybe there's more room to make a difference with different types of tyres and things like that, [but] before you could play more with the fuel."
Lotus owner Gerard Lopez is convinced Kimi Raikkonen will remain with the team for next season, announcing so in his own good time.
Despite the continual speculation surrounding Raikkonen and a likely future move to Red Bull for next season, Lopez has no doubts the 33-year-old Finn is content with life at Lotus.
With a quarter of the season gone heading into this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, Raikkonen is currently Sebastian Vettel's closest rival as he trails the three-times champion by just four points.
Whether the duo will be in the same team next season is still to open to debate, although Lopez does not believe that will be the case.
"I'm not concerned," said Lopez, speaking to Press Association Sport when asked whether he was worried Raikkonen would leave.
"We know we want Kimi to drive for us next year, but then we also know Kimi's character well, which means you can't force him to do anything.
"I know he's happy, and at this stage if he had to choose (which team to drive for next season) I know where he would be.
"The main thing about Kimi is he naturally wants a car to win, and he has got that with us.
"If he could find a better car somewhere else, and he had an option to go there, then I'm sure he would consider it.
"But I know we're giving him what he needs, and as long as we keep on doing that then he'll stay with us."
Although doubts have been raised as to whether Lotus could compete financially with Red Bull should it come down to money, Lopez offered a revealing insight.
"I saw some numbers which are rubbish," added Lopez.
"I don't think there are many drivers who make more money than Kimi does in Formula One right now."
Although it would be in Lotus' interests to tie Raikkonen to a new deal as quickly as possible, again Lopez sees no pressure.
"With Kimi you never really sit down with him to discuss something as specific as a new contract - you just talk and that's it. It's a different relationship," said Lopez.
"I know it sounds odd, but we don't run our team like other teams run theirs, which is why Kimi fits with us.
"Of course, we do talk to Kimi about a contract, but most importantly we talk to him about how he feels and about how to move forward, and that kind of automatically leads to the other."
Suggested to Lopez it boils down to a shake of the hand and having a gentleman's agreement with Raikkonen, he replied: "That's exactly what it is."
ZitatKimi Räikkönen: Two options for 2014 Von Petra Wiesmayer 21.05.13-11:21
Lotus pilot Kimi Räikkönen dont plan for 2014, but told, that he can choose between two teams.
Kimi Raikkonen is treated as a hot candidate at Red Bull Racing for the cockpit next to his good friend Sebastian Vettel. With Lotus you think that the Finn will remain. Kimi considers himself been covered when it comes to his future in Formula 1 and focuses on the current season. For the first time, however, the Finn admitted now that he did in fact present an offer from another team. Which is, of course, he failed.
"Right now I do not have a contract for next year," Raikkonen told our colleagues of the Italian Aotosprint. When asked whether he wanted to keep the options open, or the team, said the 33-year-old, which would probably always go hand in hand. "There have only been a few conversations about this das. us I'll make my decision at the right moment."
At the present time it would look like that he had two options, continued the Lotus driver. "In Formula 1, but you never know anything for certain. I'm in business long enough to know that the only thing that matters is to find the right circumstances for themselves. "
That it remains in the premier class, but is more or less fixed. But in Formula 1 you never know . "I have not made any plans, which I never do," he said. "If I discover tomorrow that it makes me any more fun, then I will stop immediately. I know that at some point in my life the moment comes that I want to do something different. If you are in Formula 1, you have to dedicate her almost all his time and has little time for other things. One day I will stop traveling and do normal things currently making me the race but still fun."
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Finally here's the complete Q&A by Heikki Kulta translated by Nicole:
ZitatAnd the answer is..
Aihe F1, 20.5.2013 12:04, heikki.kulta
I had a private interview with Kimi in Barcelona, in which I used part of the time asking him questions that my blog's followers had sent him. I recorded all and all 17 minutes and 1 second.
I also promised to choose the best of the questions related to sport and here you have Kimi's genuine answers to thoe questions I had time to present him. I was forced to leave out good questions because Kimi was in a hurry to attend the strategy-meeting after quali.
Luigi: I have always wanted to know why the 2005 McLaren fit you like a glove and produced results. Was it because of the good balance, the tires or aerodynamics?sopi niin hyvin hanskaasi ja tulosta syntyi. Oliko syy hyvässä balanssissa, sen aikaisissa renkaissa vai aerodynamiikassa?
Kimi's reply:
It was the whole package of all of those things, but the car itself was good also. We have a good car now also and it is good to drive. However that McLaren was good all and all. Of course the rules have changed a bit when it comes to tires. Back then Michelin-tires were good and everything fell in place. We could also decide ourself which tires each team used so we sort of got the tires we wanted. We could also gamble like that of course.
Luigi: In which areas should Lotus improve their car so that we could expect a similiar domination from you like in 2005?
Kimi's reply:
It's useless to think about that. We are living in different times and by different rules. We have now a car which is a bit better in every area than last year's car. Hence we have a bit more downforce than last year.
Kimi on rautaa: How long do you rememember the races and how long does it take for your body to recover?
Kimi's reply:
I don't think about the races for a long time - of course it depends if they went good or bag, but there's no point in thinking about them at that time. I feel them in the body for one day, sometimes a few days. If I for example drive over a big marble then one spot might be hurt and ache. But it doesn't usually take a long time before getting used to everything.
Jalmari: Howdy! If you could decide yourself then which engines would you like to drive F1-races with (3,0 liter V10, 2,4 liter V8; 18000rpm and 20000rpm, 1,6 liter V6-turbos)?
Kimi's reply:
It doesn't matter, it doesn't change the driving itself in any way. When they had V-10 earlier the speed was biggers, but it didn't affect driving at all when comparing to this day.
Then what about the change to turbos in 2014?
Kimi's reply:
I can't say anything yet. Maybe it's a little trickier in the beginning before they get everything to work properly and everything under control, but I don't think that it's anything weird these days.
Are you for or against re-fuelling?
Kimi's reply:
It doesn't really make any difference. We drove with 100 liter earlier also when we could use only one set of tires during the whole race. It's not at all different from today, except for the car being a bit slower, but in principle everything works the same way.
BK: Has your reaction speed ever been measured?
Kimi's reply:
They measure a F1-drivers reaction speed every moment when driving these cars. Everything is seen from the data.
Jan Tengström: Is the reason for you enjoying yourself so much in Lotus, because you are in a central role when thinking of the whole team's future and since you have the team supporting you with no reservations?
Kimi's reply:
The reason it's the whole package. Of course it also helps if we get good results. Then everybody are more happier. But above all of it I have a good feeling.
Is it like coming home?
Kimi's reply:
It's not like that. My home is however a little more different than this one...
Ismo Mäkinen: Hello Kimi, is it true that your nickname is/was mute?
Kimi's reply:
I have no idea.
Anton: How much does your training inclued gym training and aerobic training?
Kimi's reply:
It includes cycling, running, ball games, circuit training at the gym plus strenght and endurance -training.
Can a driver who is in a bad shape do well?
Kimi's reply:
I doubt he'd be able to drive races, perhaps in some older car.
Kohto: Do you still drive karting for the sake of training outside the season?
Kimi's reply:
I don't even remember when was the last time I drove karting. I drove on some indoor track, but it was a few years ago. I'm sure that some drivers do karting, but I haven't had time for it.
Jussi: Does James Allison's switch to another team change next year's plans?
Kimi's reply:
Nope and it doesn't affect me in any way.
Jore: Do you read about the races or about yourself in the papers or watch the races from tv afterwards?
Kimi's reply:
Sometimes I can't avoid reading those things. They are in every magazine and if I want to read anything from some magazine I stumble upon those things. But I'm not looking for them deliberately. I watch races if they happen to show them as a re-run when I'm home.
Ye from China asked: Do you see F1 more as “work” or ’’enjoyment”?
Kimi's reply:
If I would not enjoy it, I would be somewhere else. But, obviously, there is pretty much of work, as well. Any way, it has always been like this. It’s fifty-fifty and as long as it feels fun, I like to do it.
Ingrid K asked: Is it likely that you will be able to do fewer pitstops than Vettel/Alonso as season goes on?
Kimi's reply:
It depends on the race. Obviously, everybody learns more and more of the tyres. But if there is a race, while we have certain compounds in a certain track, we could do it. But beforehand it’s impossible to say.
Plsanswermyquestion asked: It seems that the E21 is very sensitive to setup – especially in qualifying?
Kimi's reply:
I would say, that E21 does not differ from my previous cars. More or less they have all been like this. It’s not that different, you need a perfect balance to go fast. Some cars react to setup very precisly, but with some it’s tricky to get it right to go fast.
Sakae, a Sebastian Vettel -fan from Japan, asked: Has contract with RBR been offered to you, and are you accepting it?
Kimi's reply:
No, I haven’t been offered a contract from Red Bull.
tina asked: When was the last timeyou felt being under pressure in the race?
Kimi's reply:
Of course, there is always some pressure. But it’s myself, who puts that pressure on me. That is not anything special. While there is a race, I know the tyres wear heavily and, the end of the stint, it will he rough, I feel a little bit distressed, but it’s not that hard pressure.
Daniel asked: What do you think of James Allison’s departure from Lotus?
Kimi's reply:
For sure, I would rather keep all the people with us instead of letting them go, but this is F1. You never know, what happens tomorrow. They still have good people at Enstone. It’s impossible to say, if there will be any affect with his departure next week, next year or will there be any affect at all.
Bogi asked: How about, are yo moving to Ferrari next year, to race next to Fernando?
Kimi's reply:
In theory I would not mind that, but. obviously, I never decide with whom I race in any team.
WHATEVER asked: In which ways do you feel your driving or approach to F1 has changed over the years based on your experience? Do you feel wiser now?
Kimi's reply:
I think the experience helps me in certain areas of racing. For example you know some ideas how to setup the car in a certain circuit with some basic details and which things you have to look more precis.
Peter asked: You’ve had plenty of cool helmet designs over the years. Which design has been your favourite so far, purely from an aesthetics point of view and excluding any emotional ties to achievements gained with the design?
Kimi's reply:
There is not a certain design, I would call my number one favourite. They have been some what different, some have been very nice, but for me none of them is better than than the rest. Hopefully you like the next one.
Peter asked again: What sort of things do you try to achieve during a safety car restart and can you tell a little about the strategies you choose and why, ie. keeping the drivers behind bunched up, staying right behind the guy in front or creating a buffer behind you etc?
Kimi's reply:
I focus on getting the tyres and the breaks working properly straight after the re-start. That’s the main issue. Of course I want to be as close as possible behind the safety car.
And more Peter asked: The gearboxes have seen some tremendous development during your career, from the double clutch McLaren to the current seamless gearboxes. How much of a difference do you see as a driver from that development when you’re driving?
Kimi's reply:
It was different with the gearboxes in smaller Formulae, but, for me, since 2005 they haven’t change that much. It doesn’t make a difference with the driver, I would say.
Denis asked: Why are you always wearing Oakley sunglasses when you don’t wear helmet? Is it a matter of style only or do you really care about eyesight protection so much?
Kimi's reply:
I have a deal with Oakley, but, for sure, I like to use sunglasses any way. My eyes are quite sensitive.
ZitatKIMI RAIKKONEN INTERVIEW: F1'S QUIET MAN SUFFERS FOR HIS ART
Much has been made of the few words Kimi Raikkonen, the quiet man of Formula One, does in fact say.
He’s admittedly a man prone to short sentences and, when he does speak out, it is often blunt and to the point. Take last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for example where his in-car musings became the stuff of Formula One folklore.
As the team tried to communicate with him over the race radio, he simply responded “just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing”. More instructions following to which he replied, “Yes, yes, yes. You don’t have to remind me every second”.
Other drivers at other teams would most likely not get away with it. If Lewis Hamilton were to do it at Mercedes or Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull then there would be a certain amount of furor.
But then Kimi is, well, Kimi and he has always chosen not to conform to the expectations of a modern-day F1 driver where endless media appearances are the norm. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a more closely-guarded sports star.
Sometimes, it’s what he doesn’t say rather than what he does that is so compelling. He rarely if ever talks about other drivers, he won’t be caught in the sort of media slanging match enjoyed by some of his grid rivals. And don’t expect that to change any time soon. He hits back at suggestions he does not play the game.
“I’m doing an interview right now aren’t I?” he says, ahead of this Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, before adding. “I know I have to do this stuff for sponsors but I won’t do anymore than I have to.”
There is a definite shyness to Raikkonen. He would rather not talk shop or divulge issues about his private life. He hates it and the craving for every tit bit of information is a big reason why he walked away from the sport altogether in 2009.
But Raikkonen the racer was not satisfied. The 2007 world champion wanted to return and last season Lotus took an almighty gamble in signing him. In 2009 at Ferrari, he had looked sluggish, appeared to have fallen out of love with racing.
What Lotus was doing was akin to putting everything in the casino on red, a decision that paid off in some style. Last season, he was the model of consistency, finishing every race and winning one of them, the aforementioned Abu Dhabi GP.
What highlighted his impressive pace even more were the struggles of fellow returnee Michael Schumacher, who never quite delivered following his own sabbatical.
From the moment winter testing began, did he ever have doubts in his own abilities? The short answer is not particularly.
“Ok, there is a bit of worry, of unknown as you’ve not done it for a while,” he admits. “But I’d done Formula One for much of my life and the same people were there and not much had changed. It maybe took a few laps to get up to speed.
“The bigger worry was about the car. The thing is that in winter testing you know very quickly if the car is going to be s***. And if it’s s*** you know you’ll be wasting your time for the season.”
Thankfully for Raikkonen, his Lotus last season and again this looks competitive. He won the season opener in Australia and now lies second in the championship just four points behind Sebastian Vettel.
He knows the team need to improve and don’t have the luxury of throwing as much money at their upgrades as the likes of Red Bull or Ferrari.
He adds: “We need to be faster, we need more downforce. It’s that simple. But we have a budget and we have to work within that.”
An uncertain future
The team’s cause has undoubtedly not been helped by technical director James Allison’s departure. He is currently on gardening leave before an anticipated move across the grid to Ferrari.
Mention of Allison’s exit merely leads to a shrug of the shoulders but it may be a key fact in his decision-making over his future. His current deal runs out at the end of the season and no talks have begun about renewing it.
“I’ve no contract for next year,” he says. “There’s talk about this and that but, in the end, I have to make a decision.”
The decision seems to be either to stick with Lotus or move to Red Bull, where he has been touted as Mark Webber’s replacement.
Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has made no secret of his admiration for Raikkonen but the Finn himself insists: “I haven’t even talked to people about it. There may be some options I don’t know.”
That decision may rest on how much Lotus can push their in-season development. If they fall back, Raikkonen may feel he has no option but to look enviously at the Red Bulls in front of him. As rapid as his return to the sport has been, his exit could be similarly swift.
“F1 is not my life, I just love racing,” he says. “And I could stop tomorrow... if I lose that love. I just don’t have a plan for the future. I have a World Championship, which was my goal from a young age as a driver. If I retire tomorrow, I’m happy. I’ll just go off and do normal things and escape all the bulls***.”
In his remaining time in F1, he has no plans to change his approach to work and life. Lotus talk of a humorous employee – after all post-Abu Dhabi he handed T-shirts out with the slogan “Leave me alone I know what I’m doing” to the entire Enstone team. But he again shrugs his shoulders at the idea that he should change.
“People have their opinions of me and that’s fine,” he says. “This is my work and I’m sure most people are different at work and at home. I’ve a life outside F1 that’s just different.”
The world according to Kimi Raikkonen certainly seems in contrast to the rest of his peers. If he never had to do another interview, he would be a happy man. But he does them – admittedly begrudgingly – as that’s the price he has to pay to pursue his first love.
KIMI'S BEST FIVE DRIVES
1. Brazilian GP – 2007 The most important of his career. He lined up on the grid seven points behind Lewis Hamilton in the championship but took the win and his solitary world title.
2. Japanese GP – 2005 Engine trouble had left him languishing 17th on the grid but he worked his way up the field and pulled off a bold move on the last lap to overtake Giancarlo Fisichella and win.
3. Monaco GP – 2005 Leading after a safety car period, the frontrunners pitted but not Raikkonen after an email from McLaren HQ advised otherwise. He built up a big enough lead to pit safely later in the race to win.
4. Australian GP – 2007 Became the first driver to win on debut for Ferrari since Nigel Mansell 18 years earlier. Later admitted he should have won by more but didn’t because he got bored.
5. Abu Dhabi GP – 2012 His first victory since his return to the sport after a two-year sabbatical. He profited from Lewis Hamilton’s retirement but it highlighted an already impressive F1 comeback.
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