Interview with Kimi Raikkonen

Thanks to the collaboration of Sky Italia, we are providing you in full with the interview conducted by Carlo Vanzini with Kimi Raikkonen, which aired over the last weekend on the satellite broadcaster's sports channels. For the first time after becoming World Champion, the reserved and shy Ferrari driver makes a full confession, recounting his most hidden states of mind, the memories of his career and his youth and his goals for the future. An interview not to be missed for all fans of the Finnish driver... and for those who, perhaps, will become fans after reading it.

Who is 'Iceman the Pilot'? …and who 'Kimi Matias Raikkonen the man'?
I am the same person, although I must say that I am different when I work than when I am at home, with family or friends. They are different situations. In all likelihood everyone changes slightly at work than when they relax.

People see you as shy, reserved and serious. But the team says you joke, laugh and are a chatterbox. Why is it that when you do an interview or talk to people in the paddock, you seem like a closed and shy person?
Maybe I talk a lot when I don't have much to do... Seriously, I don't know. I have always been like this and in all likelihood I always will be. This is how I work… It works, so I see no reason to change.

What did you think when you arrived in Formula 1, when you landed in a prestigious team like McLaren and when you moved from one great team to another with your arrival in Ferrari? What did you tell yourself?
I don't remember much about the first tests and the first experience. It was all thrilling and new. It's been a fun year. Of course, there were also some disappointments, but they are inevitable when facing a new experience. You try, but sometimes you don't know exactly what you should and shouldn't do. It was a more than positive season for the team. I felt good at Sauber. Immediately afterwards I moved to McLaren, where I remained for several years. It was a good time, even if we expected better results. Finally, the move to Ferrari. It was the best chance I've had so far. I won the first race, with six successes at the end of the season and the world championship. Furthermore, I like working at Ferrari. As I said before, it's a nice atmosphere. They let me do what I want and we work well together. I feel good at Ferrari. It is undoubtedly the best experience I have had in Formula 1. From this point of view, I am able to enjoy Formula 1 more than I did previously.

What did you think the first time you found yourself alone after winning the world championship? Maybe in front of the mirror...
I wasn't in front of the mirror, but I was very happy because I had finally achieved what I had always dreamed of. It was a wonderful feeling. There alone you think about all the years it took you to get to that point. It was a uniquely intense feeling, also considering the way I won.

What was Formula 1 for you as a child or what is it now as a world champion? Do you like this type of Formula 1?
As a child I watched Grands Prix. Everyone dreamed of becoming a pilot, but I started thinking about it when I was 18-19. It was at that age that I began to think about actually doing this job. Before then, I changed from one second to the next dreaming of becoming this or that character, even from other sports. Now Formula 1 is my job, and it's also what I love to do. Now I'm enjoying it more than before because I won. I like driving and racing. Of course, in Formula 1 you don't just do amazing things, but it's part of the game.

There are those who have said that you are an unlucky rider because you lost two world championships. What do you think now? Have you ever thought you were unlucky?
There were times when luck wasn't on my side, but there were many other reasons too. Things might have been different a few years ago, but at least I won last year. Plus, when you lose, you always learn something. It's not the most pleasant way to learn, but from a certain point of view, it helps. Now I'm happy and I don't think much about luck. If you work hard, you get what you want.

How are your relations with President Montezemolo? He said that the longest sentence he heard you say was: 'I'm very happy to drive a Ferrari'.
No, that's not really the case. I think there were longer ones. We are on excellent terms. She is a very easygoing person. He knows how to be tough when necessary, but he is also very friendly and fair to everyone. He is very kind, like everyone in Formula 1… or rather in Ferrari. He's a good person.

Do you think people like you?
I would not know. Ask them. I don't particularly care. Surely there will be people who like me... and people who don't like me, but I don't think everyone can necessarily like me, so I do what I want and if people don't like me, never mind. It's not my problem.

What are your goals? Winning as many world championships as Schumacher won? Or become the oldest driver in Formula 1?
I certainly don't want to become the oldest driver in Formula 1, I'll stop first. I want to get good results and win as many races and world championships as possible. I didn't set out to break other drivers' records or stay in Formula 1 longer than anyone else. I'll do it as long as it's a good experience... and I'll like it. The day I no longer have fun, I will stop.

Were you serious even as a child, when you raced karts?
Who? I? I was a kid, so everything was more fun. It wasn't all that serious. In Formula 1 we take things very seriously. They are different situations. Then it was a game and it was much more fun.

Craziest thing you did as a child? … Maybe with your father shouting: 'Enough Kimi… come here!'…
I would not know. There have been several. I've done too many things to remember one in particular...

What kind of child were you?
I was pretty wild, always doing what I wasn't supposed to. It's always been like this.

Is there one thing you wouldn't do again? Something crazy…
No. Not for now.

Would you like a large family?
I don't know. I want to have children, but not now because I'm too busy… When you have children, it's also nice to be able to see them. We'll have to wait a few years.

Do you think you can be a good father?
I would not know. We'll see... I think I can handle it.

Had you never thought about it? Do you think you're 'cool'?
I am who I am… and I'm happy with myself. That's all.

And are you always yourself?
Yes'. I don't see why we need to change. If you try to be what you are not, life is no longer fun and pleasant.

Sky Italy