66 F1 RACING AUGUST 2019
more,” says Räikkönen. “We need a bit more downforce on the car and some
other things. But I believe we will be back in a position to fight and be more
competitive. It’s the never-ending story to improve cars and make them faster.
“Anything you dowith the car or to make new things it alwaystakes s ome
time. We can’t produce things overnight and as a smaller team it takes abit
longer than a big team with more research. Results haven’t beengrea t in a few
races, but other than that, things are OK.”
Donning red and white Alfa team gear and at the opposite end of the grid
from the pressure-cooker environment of Ferrari, Räikkönen looks relaxed,
reminiscent of his time at Lotus in 2012 and ’13. At Hinwil, like at Enstone
back in the day, the mindset is focused on racing above all the extraneous
activities that surround F1. There are fewer demands on his time and,
crucially, he can be himself.
“The team is quite a bit bigger than when I was first here,” Raikkonen says.
“It was an even smaller team then, compared to what it is now. There is a nice
group of people and I live close by [to the factory in Hinwil], about 30 minutes
away, 45 minutes depending on traffic, so it’s very easy in that way. Also, there
is a bit less to do outside of racing.”
There remain a few personnel who were at the teamwhen Räikkönen was
first here. They include his former trainer Josef Leberer, who helped coach
Kimi to make the transition from Formula Renaultstraightinto F1 at the start
of 2000, when he was just 20 years old. During his time in Formula 1, only
Mark Arnall and Leberer have worked asKimi’s trainer.
“You’ve got this guy who you justcannot change, he is what he is,” Leberer
once toldF1 Racing. “Not many people are still here as long as he is. They
come into the system and have to dowhat the system tells them otherwisethey
are gone. Kimi says, ‘I don’t do that, not me.’ And this is what a lot of people
admire, because he lives his life anddoes not care what others are doing.”
When Räikkönen’s biography went on sale last summer, it featured in-
depth interviewswith the Finn, at his home and away from the racetrack
and revealed some hitherto untold stories about the legendary Iceman. One
anecdote centred on a bus that was transporting some Ferrari mechanics to
and from a hotel in some far-off land. The toilet on the coach had broken, and
with the m inimum of fuss Kimi immediately appearedwith some spanners
and a screwdriver to repair the fault – to the amazement of hisfellow
passengers. So, it begs the question, can he fix anything?
“Certain things, not all, unfortunately,” he smiles. “Over the years I’ve
learnted to do a lot and I’m quite adept at figuring things out andworking with
my hands. When I first got my driving licence, cars were a lot more simple,
you could change engines and fix anything.
“These days, I wouldn’t put my fingers into a car – forget it. I’d ask my
brother to look at it or a dealer. In many ways it’s a shame. Bikes are still
simple and motocross bikes, you can deal withthem yourself.”
In one of the pre-season tests at Barcelona, picturesemerged (which were
then posted on his Instagram account) ofKimi fiddling with his seat at the
back of the garage. Just another example of his DIY work ethic?
“Actually, over the years I would very often do the work on the seat myself
because it’s the easiest thing.I know what I want.It’s very difficult to tell the
mechanic exactly. Yes, I can draw it with a pen, but then I would have to go
and have a look – and it’s a feeling, it’s difficult todescribe and it’s hard for
them to do it exactly as I like it.
“In many ways it’s a much shorter lead time whenyou do it yourself,” he
adds. “Plus if I f*** it up – then it’s my fault!” At whichpoint he bursts into
hearty guffaws.
Perhaps then, nothing has really changed. As Leberer points out, Kimi has
always done his own thing.
While it is another 18 monthsbefore hiscurren t racing contract comes
to an end, surely the perennial passion for competing mightsteer Kimi in a“When I stop it’s
enough.Enough.
If my son starts
racing... well...
then I will help
as much as I can,
but for me I’ll stay
in motocross, it’s
more relaxed”
Räikkönenlivescloseto
theHinwilfactoryand
says thereis‘lesstodo
outsideofracing’than
therewasatFerrariPICTURES:ZAK MAUGER;JERRYANDRE