Kimi Raikkonen interview on family, teammate Giovinazzi and life with Alfa Romeo. Kimi Raikkonen interview on family, teammate Giovinazzi and life with Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo Racing driver Kimi Raikkonen interview for Czech Republic newspaper “Blick”:

Do you think that Alfa-Sauber can be one of the surprises of the 2019 season?
Kimi: “The feeling is pretty good. We tested almost everything, always got new parts – now we just have to evaluate things properly. You don’t have much time for that on the race weekends.”

Your former Ferrari team-mate Vettel puts your new team at the top of the field. What do you say?
Kimi: “I don’t know where we stand exactly. It’s impossible to say. We only know our strengths, judging the competition is just a guessing game. I can only hope that we are fully there in the midfield. In a few weeks’ time we will certainly know more …”

You’re the team leader now. Does that change anything for you?
Kimi: “No. We are two drivers and a lot of people preparing the car. They are all just as important. There is not only one key role.”

And your new team mate Antonio Giovinazzi …
Kimi: “I’m sure we’ll get along fine. We are already exchanging ideas and have the same goal.”

The new life with Alfa-Sauber has hardly surprised you?
Kimi: “No, I know Hinwil and the factory. I also didn’t have any big ideas about what it would be like in the next two years. All I know is that politics is certainly no longer in the focus. And that’s why I signed without hesitation. I’ll also be in the factory straightaway. And when I first met with Frédéric Vasseur, I immediately noticed: that is also just a racer full of passion.”

So no more bullshit, no more negative stories and no more unnecessary stress…
Kimi: “That’s it. I only care about racing. I feel comfortable in the cockpit. That’s how it should be and will remain.”

So only a happy Kimi is a fast Kimi…
Kimi: “I am happy when I can be with my family when I am away from the race tracks. Family is the most important point in life. There is nothing more valuable than children.

What is the difference between Kimi 2001 and Kimi 2019?
Kimi: “(laughs) I got older. But I have hardly changed much, even though I have seen and experienced a lot in the meantime. Inside I have remained the same.”

And then there is also your year-long favorite club, the EV Zug…
Kimi: “Yes, it’s already set for the playoff since weeks. Unfortunately, the crucial phase begins when we are in Melbourne. But I’m certainly going to watch a game still. Or even more …”