Räikkönen: “I’m here to win”

In Bahrain, Kimi Räikkönen climbed to the second step of the podium, behind Sebastian Vettel. When it was time to capture the moment, Vettel playfully made bunny ears behind the Finn. « Yes, I saw, it was funny. Revenge is a dish best served cold and it will come soon enough, I hope! Finding myself on the top step of the podium would be a good start, » explains the Lotus driver who regularly plays badminton with the double world champion, whom he almost always beats. « I keep winning! I think it’s something like 100 to 0 so far… »

After his second place in Bahrain, Räikkönen hopes to step onto the top of the podium: « That would be great! After our performance in Bahrain, I know we can do better. The victory was very, very close. We’ll have to see on which circuit it would be possible… It’s more thrilling to have to fight and take risks to clinch the first place. I’m here to win! »

And if this victory took place at Spa-Francorchamps? Räikkönen has often been very strong on the Belgian track and it is where he claimed his last victory with Ferrari in 2009. « I really like this circuit and I guess that helps. I’m looking forward to going back there and I hope to achieve a good result for the team, » the Finn responds when asked why Spa suits him so well.

Besides his now-famous cap, which he wears because he likes it, what characterizes the Lotus driver is his calm in any situation: “I only focus on the race and don’t let myself be overwhelmed by other things. Two-thirds of my life, until now, have been devoted to racing. You simply get used to this environment.”

The secret may also lie in activities outside of F1. I like to recharge with my close friends. Sometimes, one or two of my Finnish friends join me in the paddock, and that makes me happy. It’s nice to speak Finnish with them, to think about something other than racing. I like many things… All kinds of sports and games where competition is involved. In winter, my favorite activity is ice hockey, responds Räikkönen to a question from his fans.

Since his arrival in F1 in 2001, Räikkönen has had nine different teammates, but which one was the toughest on the track? “Practically all of them were very competitive,” the Finnish driver analyzes, “But I never dwell on that. I only focus on what I have to do with my team. That’s the only way to beat him and all the other drivers.”