Kimi Räikkönen looks happier than for ages after Ferrari exit

Kimi Räikkönen

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For Spaniard Fernando Alonso it is difficult to hide his pleasure at being able to drive for Ferrari in the future.
     
”Driving for Ferrari is the dream of all drivers”, Alonso says, adding: ”I think Ferrari will be my last team, as leaving Ferrari is always one step backwards.”
      Actually, Alonso’s words should throw Kimi Räikkönen off course, as the Finn is the one who is having to make way for the Spanish driver at Ferrari.
     
Instead, Räikkönen looks more relaxed than in living memory.
      ”I knew already for some time that this would happen. I had a contract for 2010, but as Formula One involves large sums of money, it is also possible to break contracts”, says Räikkönen.
      ”I am very well aware of the reasons leading to this situation. They have nothing to do with my ability to drive a car in races”, Räikkönen argues.
      When asked whether the underlying reason behind his dismissal was the huge sum of money put on the table by the Spanish bank Santander, Räikkönen does not bother to answer. He just sits there smiling with a enigmatic look.
      Räikkönen rather enjoys making other people embarrassed.
     
”The whole business really seems to leave Kimi cold”, marvels Nico Rosberg, an F1 colleague from the Williams team.
      ”It would turn my stomach, if I were in his situation. But I can well imagine that it fails to upset Kimi in any way. That is absolutely one of his strengths”, Rosber continued.
      For Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali it is apparently difficult to explain to the press in what way Alonso is better than Räikkönen.
     
”Kimi is fantastic, you will never hear anything negative about him from me”, Domenicali says.
      These words are only bound to increase people’s astonishment. If Räikkönen is so fantastic, why will he be replaced by Alonso?
      Only after persistent insisting does Domenicali admit that one of the criteria was Alonso’s managerial qualities.
      ”It would be wrong to say that the decision was purely commercial”, Domenicali claims.
     
When it comes to money, the winner is Räikkönen. To the question of whether or not he is satisfied with the decision, Räikkönen replies briskly but unambiguously:”Yes.”
      On the subject of his future, Räikkönen is still doggedly keeping his fans in suspense.
     
”I do not know whether or not I will continue Formula One racing. But I will let you know my decision before the new season starts”, Räikkönen says with a smile.
      However, the Finn said already in Spa that he would like to continue to drive for another one or two years.
      ”If I continue racing in 2010, I will have to have the chance to fight for the championship. Otherwise it would not be sensible to remain in Fomula One. The championship is my only goal”, Räikkönen hints.
      Paddock rumours have associated him with a move back to McLaren next year, where he would presumably pair up with Lewis Hamilton.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Räikkönen to get record-high sweetener to make way for Alonso at Ferrari (1.10.2009)

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