Raikkonen: "Ideally I want to win"

Ex-Formula 1 driver Kimi Räikkönen is looking forward to the adventure rally. In the SID meeting the Finnish 'Iceman' told by his family and rally the goals for its premiere.

SID: "They look very relaxed. Are not you concerned that your debut in the World Rally Championship could go wrong? After all, you put their rally car at the dress rehearsal two times in addition to the runway?"

Kimi Räikkönen: "I'm not relaxed, perhaps, but with me at peace. I was before, but the rally world is an entirely different, more friendly environment than the Formula 1 I am happy here and feel very fine. What driving concerns: Rally is an entirely different topic than the Formula 1 For me, almost everything is new. Of course I will continue to make mistakes. This is a learning process. Of course everyone looks up when someone like me ends up in a ditch. But this has quickly. It's not different than when on the track is in the gravel. "

SID: "Nevertheless, it is surprising that a Formula 1 world champion in his prime to have such a complex sport such as the World Rally Championship moves. You do not be afraid to fail?"

KR: "Not at all. This is not the way I approach a thing. I look forward to a new challenge, especially to them. Rally is going just great. Failure or not is not the issue for me."

SID: "The expectations of a Formula 1 drivers are still high?"

KR: "Only those who have no clue. Again, in rallying for me, almost everything is new. In addition, I step up against the best drivers in the world. I will try to learn quickly, and I hope to be able to ride fast forward. I just want to be good at what I do. "

SID: What are the essential differences between the World Rally Championship and Formula 1?

KR: "First, the environment. In the WRC you will feel immediately comfortable, this is like one big family. They talk much more with other drivers. That there is in Formula 1 is not so. That may also be because that one in a rally against the clock runs, and not directly against the enemy. "

SID: "And at the car and driving?"

KR: "Since the differences are even greater. Above all, sitting in the car a rally co-driver beside me. One is thus not alone. Secondly, we know every curve on the track. A piece of asphalt with different radii, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide. But basically, it's always the same, whether at the Nurburgring or at Suzuka. In rallying you have to drive on different surfaces: snow, ice, gravel, asphalt, sometimes dry, sometimes wet, or even in the fog. In addition, changing the route , especially on gravel. Then you come to a corner, and now looks very different from what you've recorded it two days ago when the track inspection. This is an incredible challenge. "

SID: "Before your World Cup debut, you have covered approximately 500 kilometers with your new company car - a Citroen C4, as it controls the world champion, Sebastien Loeb. As you prepare even the most difficult?"

KR: "A lot. Most of dealing with the pace notes. Can quickly drive many, but a note of curves in detail and implement the competition also is very difficult. That takes time. Because I will unfortunately continue to make mistakes. Then catch I myself, that I have two or three times on the brakes rather than just climbed only once. There are many little things that I need to work and I will. "

SID: "Yet you go confidently in the World Cup opener in Sweden?"

KR: "Why not? I've prepared myself well and am glad to be in labor. Of course I feel some pressure, but that one of them.'s Going to snow, but the most difficult. Less because of the brains or the brakes. The problem lies in the fact that it is difficult to detect the line. If you just a bit too far out, slipping it out already. On gravel I do easier. And on the tarmac, I can most certainly bring my knowledge of what brakes concessions and so forth concerns. well, that the asphalt queue runs until the second half of the season. "

SID: What are your goals? "
KR: "Should I build no gross blunder, I hope, too early in the season championship points finishes to drive. Later, when I have more experience, I will try to get on the podium. But clearly, most of all I want to win. Only there are others that have it. But they are also an advantage. Some are not very good, but know the championship rallies in years. "

SID: "What happens after this season? Do you have a longer term contract with Red Bull?"

KR: "No, I have only a one-year contract and do not know what I'll do next year. I focus once this season in the WRC. This is a challenge that I like. The World Rally Championship Title I appreciate the driving performance much higher a than those in Formula 1, it would irritate me already to address the. But think about it now makes no sense. "

SID: "You miss the Formula 1?"

KR: "No, why? Of course there are also people from Formula 1, which had continued into contact, but now from a different environment."

SID: "Follow the Formula 1? Are you interested in actual test drives?"

KR: "No, what others make me never very interested. I know what is in the newspaper, but I would never go to the Internet and look up the test times of other drivers. "

SID: "So you're interested, either, what is your successor, Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari or whatever runs the comeback of Michael Schumacher?"

KR: "Yeah, I'm interested in both little. Alonso and Schumacher are doing their thing, I mine. I look at myself and am glad that I can now do what makes me fun: drive rally. "

Source: Focus.de
Thanks: finnfan @ OF