Kimi's dad was the center of the gang

Kimi Räikkönen's dad Matti Räikkönen, 56, died suddenly on Wednesday

Kikka Kuosmanen who worked as Kimi Räikkönen's publicist for a long time was surprised just like the others when hearing that Matti Räikkönen had suddenly passed away. Kuosmanen has been a close friend to Räikkönen's family for almost 20 years.

- This is a huge sorrow now that it's Christmas. This was a sudden and suprising matter. My condolences to the family, Kikka Kuosmanen said.

- If anyone Matti was a friendly and outgoing person. He was always the center of the gang. It's hard to describe him more at this point because I just heard about his death, Kuosmanen said.


Mika Salo: There would be no Kimi without Matti

- Matti was Kimi's biggest supporter right from the beginning. Without Matti there would be no Kimi. Not many fathers have helped their son as much as Matti has, Mika Salo says.

Salo sends his condolences to Räikkönen's family.

- Matti left too early, Salo says.


Matti Kyllönen sends his condolences to Kimi Räikkönen

Matti Kyllönen was shocked after hearing what happened to Matti Räikkönen.

- A completely shocking news. My deepest condolences to the relatives, Matti Kyllänen said.

He knows that the loss was huge for Kimi Räikkönen.

- They had a particularly warm and close relationship. Father and son were really much in touch with each other.

Kyllönen also thinks with warmth about his own father who passed away a year ago.

- He comes to my mind especially during Christmas. I can only imagine what Kimi is thinking now.

Courtesy: Nicole

THE MEETING OF ALL DREAMS IN FINLAND: RÄIKKÖNEN VS VETTEL

They are putting up a duel between Kimi and Sebastian Vettel in Finland.

It would take place in Helsinki Motorsport Weekend during 7.-8. August. Neither one of them has given an official confirmation yet but Vettel has already given his personal 'yes', therefore it's only up to Red Bull's permission. The organizers believe strongly that Räikkönen will also participate. What makes it easier to happen is that Red Bull is the sponsor for the event and also the employer of both stars.

Räikkönen's co-driver Kaj Lindström has already promised that he is in the competition for co-drivers so it's a sure sign that neither one of them is doing any rally work that weekend.

In the competition star drivers from different genres compete against each other with the similar vehicle, meaning Legends-cars, Bullspeed Cross Karts and KTM X-Bows. Two drivers will drive at the same time on the track that has been built in Helsinki's Fish harbor. If they get both Räikkönen and Vettel, they will put them both to drive at the same time against each other á la Race of Champions.

From former F1-drivers Mika Salo has already promised to participate. Jacques Villeneuve is probably coming too.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: Nicole