Today, Kimi Raikkonen, the last Ferrari Formula 1 World Champion and a true icon of the sport, celebrated his 44th birthday. Italian journalist and Ferrari insider Leo Turrini paid tribute to him by sharing unpublished insights on his blog at quotidiano.net.
Leo Turrini: “I’ve rarely known a driver so connected to Ferrari like Kimi Raikkonen”
“Happy birthday to KR7. He is 44, and by a curious coincidence, this is also the week of the Austin Grand Prix, where Kimi Raikkonen secured his last career victory in 2018,” Leo Turrini begins.
He then reflects on his relationship with the Finnish driver: “I have sometimes tried to explain how a mutual sympathy developed between us. Mostly made up of silences. By profession and perhaps by nature, I am someone afflicted with logorrhea. It must be some kind of poetic justice that I instinctively appreciate those who can measure their words. After all, the world is full of babblers who just can’t use words properly in any context. With Kimi, we exchange messages from time to time. He knows that I know, and good night, that’s enough for us.”
He goes on to share a humorous anecdote from the time of COVID: “One of the funniest things I’ve done in the course of an undeserved career is a Zoom conversation with him to promote the Italian edition of his biography. At one point, I managed to make him laugh. A mission impossible for a journalist!” – he pointed out.
Indeed, Kimi Raikkonen is known for his aloofness towards the media (and more). However, Leo Turrini wants to emphasize: “Despite his apparent detachment, I have rarely known a driver so connected to Ferrari. Perhaps it’s the memory of that day at Interlagos. Perhaps it’s because he wanted to return to Maranello with all his might, called back by the same people who had sent him away. Maybe because when you are true inside, you understand the differences, and it’s never just a matter of money.”
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“And Kimi is a genuine person […] he gave a lot to Ferrari, including (as you can see) the last three World Championship titles, between 2007 and 2008. I have never managed to understand how he won at Spa in 2009 with a wheelbarrow painted in red” – the Italian journalist concluded.
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