And We May Never See His Like Again
While Kimi Raikkonen'due south Formula 1 retirement volition come up as no surprise to many, his divergence from the championship has nevertheless caused an outpouring of well wishes and adulation from a fanbase who have always adored him.
He was and remains a no-nonsense racing driver and human being, a throwback to racers of the 1970s like James Hunt who called things equally he saw them, suffered no fools, and then buckled upwards his seat belt and mesmerised on track. His similar had non been seen in the sport for many years, and may not exist again.
READ MORE: Kimi Raikkonen to retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2021
I was 20-years-former when Kimi made his debut and a fan from the moment I commencement saw him being interviewed, his monosyllabic responses and nonplussed expression at odds with the corporate, often robotic demeanour of those he was supposed to be respecting and joining. That he didn't immediately try to fit into a mould that wasn't made for him marked him out as something different. And won him admiration from the outset.
That he should be making his debut on a provisional license, such was his comparative inexperience in open wheel racing, reflected the special and prodigious talent those who ran the testify believed he had. And when he got in and raced, it became immediately obvious why he'd been called on and then early.
He finished sixth on debut. The story immediately came out he'd been asleep just thirty minutes before the start of the race. And the legend was born.
ORAL HISTORY: The inside story of Kimi Raikkonen's legendary first F1 test
Here was someone blessed with a rare innate talent. Someone who didn't demand to tow PR lines or brand excuses. He was just a child who loved racing and whose sole focus and involvement was in going as fast equally he could. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else ever has.
There were those who over the years would try to claim that Kimi never quite realised his total potential. That his apathy in interviews was reflective of someone who wasn't quite making enough of an endeavor. Someone on whom talent was wasted, for had he just put the extra legwork in, he'd have been unstoppable.
READ More: 'There isn't whatsoever driver out in that location like Kimi' says Alfa boss Vasseur as Raikkonen announces his retirement
However that misconception lay at the heart of the enigma. It's not that he didn't care or wasn't bothered virtually the sport he was involved in. Quite the opposite. It's simply that he wastes not one second of his day worrying virtually the things he can't control. His focus has only always been on what he can practice and what he can influence. Why should he worry about anything over which he has no control? "It is what it is" has been his mantra from 24-hour interval dot.
Summit 10: Moments of Kimi Räikkönen Brilliance
Kimi Raikkonen has always been a diligent and thoughtful racer, who put the work in abroad from the public eye and drew all those who worked with him along for the ride. He worked, he tried, he pushed every lap he was afforded. There accept been few drivers as brave in the modern era, as unflinchingly bold and committed. Nor as rapid. His 48 fastest laps in the sport are a testament to that.
And on his day he was unstoppable. He traversed the Schumacher, Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton eras, and on his twenty-four hours he could, and he did, beat out them all. And for the most part, in machinery well below the standard of those who defined their epochs.
WATCH: That amazing Suzuka victory and Lap ane heroics – 10 moments of brilliance from Kimi Raikkonen
Kimi Raikkonen wasn't built for the social media historic period, and yet he became the sport's unofficial affiche boy and meme lord. The frequent radio outbursts for a drinks bottle or steering wheel, the ice cream, the admission he was "taking a s***" during Michael's first good day grid presentation, the fact he knew what to do (not what he was doing..!).
He hated being reminded of them, perhaps unaware of the warmth with which these moments were held by the public, but no doubt in part likewise because he wasn't and never wanted to be seen every bit a clown or a figure of fun.
Tiptop 10: Kimi Raikkonen Team Radio Messages
He's a Formula one world champion, and one of the finest drivers this sport has seen in the past 2 decades. When I call back of Kimi, I don't recollect of the chuckle-along clips. I think of him passing Giancarlo Fisichella at Suzuka, defeating Michael Schumacher at Spa, his Monaco pole lap in 2005 or that perfect drive to win for Lotus in Abu Dhabi in 2012.
READ MORE: Kimi Raikkonen'southward F1 Hall of Fame folio
He could exist tough to interview. Of that there'southward no question. He has a genuine dislike of the media pen, standing around like an brute in a muzzle being asked the aforementioned damn questions ad infinitum. "How'south your motivation?" was the one that ever got the worst answer, ordinarily a sigh and a quip about how he wouldn't still be hither if he didn't want to be.
And that is Kimi at his heart. He stayed effectually for so long because he absolutely wanted to be here. There was nix else on globe that made him as happy every bit driving a Formula i machine. If you wanted to know how Kimi was feeling or how his weekend was going, the answer never came from a microphone. It came on the track.
Simply as time went on, and especially over the last few years, the Iceman has softened. Union to Minttu and the birth of his wonderful children, nicknamed the "Ice Cubes", have given Kimi suspension to consider life outside of this insular chimera. With the help of his wife, he's become more active on social media, giving us all an insight into the man, the married man and the begetter. And it'due south go very articulate that his true passion now, and his heart, is not in a Formula 1 car, just with them.
READ MORE: From wild human to family unit man – Kimi Raikkonen on life as a racing dad
I've loved interviewing Kimi. He's always been the hardest work simply the near rewarding when something practiced came out. I'll never forget laughing like drains when I spoke with him towards the end of his tenure with Ferrari in Brazil, where he just went with the menses and showed the joy those who worked with him always spoke of so fondly. Y'all tin can watch that interview beneath.
Kimi Raikkonen has never been anyone merely himself. From the first 2d he walked into this paddock to the day he leaves, he has been true to who he was and never wavered for anyone. At that place are few people in this sport of whom yous can say the same. Fewer however in life.
100% authentic. From start to end. Thanks Kimi. For all of it.
Kimi Raikkonen on contracts, motivation and speaking Italian
charettetheticties.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.buxton-raikkonens-departure-deprives-us-of-a-true-original-we-may-never-see.5C0x7wxco34nQrIT7aWbwG.html
0 Response to "And We May Never See His Like Again"
Post a Comment