Question: Kimi, you have decided to come back to Formula One racing. Why are you coming back?
Kimi Raikkonen: The main reason was that I never really lost the passion for racing in Formula One, just maybe for all the other things around it. But when I did some NASCAR races this year I noticed that I was increasingly missing the racing side - to race against each other - because in rallying you really race against the clock. And then I got the call from certain people in Formula One. All sorts of things happened and we managed to have a nice conversation with Lotus Renault GP and make a deal - I’m really very happy with that!
Question: Personally, what’s the main difference from the Kimi Raikkonen we saw in 2009 - in which way are you a better driver?
Kimi Raikkonen: I don’t know - I’ve been away for two years. I haven’t driven and I haven’t even sat in a Formula One car since the last race in 2009. I’m interested to get back into the car, I’m two years older now and I don’t think anything else has really changed. It has been really nice to try to learn rallying in the last few years. On some days it was hard. It’s been easier this year than last year but still it’s a very difficult sport. I’m really looking forward to coming back. At least Formula One is something where I know how everything works as I’ve been there for many years - compared to rallying when I didn’t know what would really happen. Then I went to NASCAR and I had no clue how it would be. So in that way it should be much, much easier to come back and it should be pretty normal.
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Formula 1: Kimi Raikkonen Makes a Come Back With Lotus Renault
Question: When you think about your last race in 2009, what is the feeling you have of driving in Formula One racing?
Kimi Raikkonen: I certainly remember all the braking and how quickly everything happens. But compared to rallying, say, you have slightly more time. In rallying, it doesn’t give you a second chance. When you make a mistake you go off. There are no run-off areas. In Formula One you have a lot of run-off areas, you can run a bit wide and it is not such a big deal. You lose a lap in the practice or in qualifying but in the race you maybe don’t even lose a place. So this time, the braking and the G-forces will certainly come back very quickly. The biggest thing will definitely be to get the neck used to it again. All the rest will take a while but it’s not really a big thing.
Question: Six world champions on the grid next year, you are coming back to Formula One - how big of a boost is it for your motivation?
Kimi Raikkonen: I would not have come back if I wasn’t motivated. There is always a lot of talk about motivation but nobody really knows what I do or what I think apart from myself so I don’t really care about what people say. But I’m happy to be coming back. I wouldn’t put my name onto a contract if I didn’t think I’d really enjoy it - so it will be interesting and exciting to get back!
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