Earlier today quotes emerged from a Kimi Raikkonen interview with SportBILD, in which the Finnish driver talked about his private life and the Scuderia Ferrari partnership with Sebastian Vettel:
Kimi, you are now a happy family man and seem much more relaxed since you have two kids.
Kimi Raikkonen: “Maybe, I don’t know. My life is more exhausting now, but also happier. In my private life I was always a different person. Most people probably think I always have a crazy life, but that’s not the cast. Just my job is something different. That’s why I have to give interviews and things get written about me in the newspapers. Although I don’t really like that.”
How did your two kids change your life?
Kimi: “A lot. When you get to become a father for the first time, you have no idea how your life will change. Robin asks many questions that you have to answer first. I like how innocent and free little kids are. At the same time Robin is my new best friend. Your life actually really starts with kids. It has a bigger meaning then.”
In the past, you were called “the Iceman” because nothing would anger you and you were known for your casual lifestyle. And now?
Kimi: “I was scared when I held my son for the first time. I was very nervous when I picked him up in the hospital. I did not know what to do when he cried for the first time. With your second child you have more routine.”
Did Formula 1 become less important because of your children?
Kimi: “No. Formula 1 was never my entire life. I can seperate that. In fact extremely. My private life is completely different than my life at the circuit, I love racing but the rest not so much. That’s why I won’t have problems when I stop in the future. My friends know: ‘Don’t ask me questions about my job’. You don’t get serious answers. I don’t like talking about my job in my private life.”
Will Robin become a racing driver?
Kimi: “I don’t know what Robin wants to do in the future. He definitely is interested in cars and motorcycles. Just like his dad (laughs). If I hadn’t been a racing driver, I would have definitely done something related to cars, although back in the days everything was different. My first car was a Lada. Today I drive a Ferrari. What is funny is that in the car, Robin always wants to sit in the front and not in the back. What is certain is that Robin can do whatever he wants. I won’t force him.”
In Austria you finished ahead of Sebastian. At Hockenheim you apologized for holding him back. Will you help him in the title fight against Hamilton?
Kimi: “At some point in the championship I know the team will come first. That is already known to me, I’m not here just since yesterday. For me it’s as normal as you guys doing interviews.”
How does a male friendship work in such a political sport?
Kimi: “He (Sebastian) is very straightforward and has not changed even after his success. Even if we sometimes crash into each other, we talk about it and it’s not a topic anymore. He is a guy that can admit he made a mistake and so am I. It is much better to work in such an atmosphere. That also makes the car faster instead of us starting a war against each other. We both have the same target: making Ferrari world champion again. We complete each other in that aspect to push the team further.”
Are you happy that Sebastian praises you and says he wants you as his teammate?
Kimi: “It’s definitely better than him possibly saying I’m an idiot. Well he says that too, but not so often (laughs). In all honesty, we always got along well. With him there are no politics or other bullshit, but just a normal male friendship. Of course I would like to stay, but that is only Ferrari’s choice. I’m waiting for the decision like you all do.”
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