Kimi Raikkonen Q&A: Maybe I’ll race in 2010, maybe I won’t 01 Oct 2009
Even though he’s known for some time that 2009 will be his last season with Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen was unexpectedly emotional when speaking about it in the Suzuka paddock on Thursday, giving one of the longest interviews of his entire career. However, the Finn, who will be replaced by Fernando Alonso next year, remained pretty tight-lipped about his future plans, refusing to reveal whether rumours of a return to McLaren are accurate…
Q: Kimi, you had good times at Ferrari, won a championship and now it’s all over. How do you feel about that?
Kimi Raikkonen: Well, let’s face it, in the end I have achieved what I wanted - I’ve won a championship. I’ve worked with them for the last three years and now things have changed. It’s not the first time that it has happened in Formula One and surely won’t be the last time. That’s all I want to say.
Q: But how did Ferrari convince you to end the relationship. You had a contract for 2010 with them?
KR: There are many reasons. You should ask them. But in Formula One, even if you have a contract, there is always a lot of money involved, so there can always be different options in life. That’s obviously what happened. Sure, there is not only one reason for what has happened, that’s why everybody decided to end up in this position.
Q: You had a contract for next year and have done your best over the last three year, winning one championship. Do you feel you’ve been unfairly treated?
KR: I’m still happy with what I’ve done and I think I will have a good future. Sure, if you sign a contract you finish it, but obviously it didn’t work out. Overall I’m okay with it.
Q: How long ago did you know you won’t race for Ferrari in 2010?
KR: For quite a while now.
Q: Are you okay with the solution you’ve found?
KR: Yeah.
Q: There are a number of options open to you for the future. One of them is returning to McLaren. Could you imagine going back? Would you enjoy it there again?
KR: I have nothing bad to say about them as we always had a good relationship, and of course it’s a chance. But honestly I haven’t thought too much about these things, but in time I will make my decision. I will let you know!
Q: Are you a bit frustrated with Ferrari this season?
KR: I don't think anyone expected Ferrari to have this kind of season, which turned out to be so difficult. But this can happen in Formula One sometimes, when you don't deliver a car capable of getting us to the front, but this is just one year and we will wait and see what happens next.
Q: Renault said that they will make their announcement next week. Could they be an option and have you talked to them?
KR: No, not with them.
Q: If you could do it all over again would you do anything differently?
KR: Would I have made different decisions? No. I am happy about what I have done, but sure if you look back in hindsight you probably would have done different things. But that’s easy to say afterwards. Regarding my contracts, no I would not have changed anything.
Q: What did you give to Ferrari and what did Ferrari give to you in the last three years?
KR: I’ve achieved with them what I always wanted to achieve. We had good times, of course, but we also had difficult times. But that’s part of the whole business. Sometimes you have good moments and sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and carry on. Overall I have happy memories of my time with the team. I have won a championship and the team has won two. That is something that nobody can take away.
Q: You have seemed to have had ups and downs. Did you always give 100 percent or have there been moments where you lacked motivation?
KR: No, there has never been a lack of motivation. All the stories came from the media - basically you guys. I never had any motivation problems. Sure if you have good results life tends to be easier, but then these things happen.
Q: Many times before you’ve said that Ferrari will be your last team. Have you changed your mind or were you forced to change your mind?
KR: Like I said, there have been many options around and what happened now is just one of them. I think in the end I am happy with what happened, otherwise I would not have done the deal with them. For the moment I have not decided if I want to continue racing, or what I want to do. Before I had a contract for 2010, now not anymore. That changes things. Maybe I’ll race, maybe I won’t.
Q: What are the chances of you going rallying now?
KR: There is chance, but there is also chance of racing in Formula One. For sure I will decide before the start of the next season what I am going to do.
Q: Did you ask Ferrari why Fernando and not me, or why Felipe Massa and not me? Did you get a satisfying answer?
KR: I know more or less the reasons and it has nothing to do with my racing or anything I’m doing in the team. It’s just purely another reason.
Q: How much has your departure to do with the arrival of Santander?
KR: For that you’ll have to ask the team.
Q: Wherever destiny takes you, do you hope to fight with Fernando for another world title?
KR: If I decide to go with a team next year, I am surely not going with any of the small teams, as that will never give me the chance to fight for the championship. And if I’m not able to fight for the championship, there will be no reason for me to be in Formula One.
