Rumours don’t stress Kimi “I’M NOT JEALOUS OF JENNI”

Kimi Räikkönen (27), who opened doors to his home for OHO, turned out to be a lot more laid back guy than his reputation tells. The world star, known of his nickname Iceman, was actually very relaxed person. Formula 1 driver Kimi Räikkönen’s and his model-wife Jenni Dahlman-Räikkönen’s (25) home Porkkala isn’t that kind of place where whoever can go whenever. In the end of the curvy road there’s a metal gate, followed by a private asphalt road, lined by low light poles. After few hundred meters opens up a view to a fancy house right next to the sea and there are expensive cars parked on the yard. The villa the Räikkönens have owned for a couple of years is one of the couple’s three homes. They’ve one apartment in the centre of Helsinki and one house in Switzerland. Couple’s German shepherd Ajax is the first one to welcome the guests. There have been dogs in Kimi’s family before so getting an own dog was a natural decision. The master and the dog seem like an inseparable couple. Ajax swarms around his master quite often and demands for attention. “Ajax enjoys to go to the stables with Jenni, he’s got a girlfriend there too”, Kimi tells with a proud voice while he plays with his pet. We bought a furnished house When you step into the house, you find yourself in impressive room with a fireplace. After that you come to a spacious living room with a open kitchen. Besides the bedroom after the living room there are also few bedrooms in upstairs and there’s also enough space to stay a night in the sauna house which is located to the shore. Both the fire place room’s and living room’s wall towards the shore is made of glass from the floor to the ceiling. There’s plenty of views in this house. The villa was built in 1999. “Jenni likes to furnish more so she can take care of that part. Although most of the furniture were here already when we bought the place“, Kimi explains. We ended up to Porkkala by coincidence After the Formula 1 season Kimi has been spending lots of time in Finland. He doesn’t really give interviews on his holiday, because he wants to have as loose schedule as possible. Actually, Kimi doesn’t want to plan his free time at all. Kimi likes to spend time in Porkkala even though the greyness of November annoys a bit. The fact that they chose Porkkala to be their second base in Finland was more like a coincidence than very carefully thought move. “It doesn’t really matter where you are as long as it’s your own home. You get to see hotels enough during the season. It doesn’t take that much time to drive to the city and even by boat you get to Helsinki in half an hour“, relaxed Kimi says, sitting in the living room. The trip to the capital is easily by sea because Kimi owns a boat as well, besides several cars. “The weather isn’t so great at the moment that you would like to spend too much time outside. Maybe me and Jenni will go on holiday somewhere in the end of this month“, Kimi wonders. Riding isn’t my thing In the shelf of living room you can find the wedding photo which was published in the newspapers and under that there’s an invitation to Kimi and Jenni’s wedding which was held in 2004. The mistress of the house is out riding during this interview so Kimi is keeping an eye on the house with Ajax. There’s enough space for them to play around. “I did go and try riding with Jenni but I’m so badly allergic to horses that I couldn’t really do it”, Kimi tells. The Räikkönens have been called “Finland’s Beckhams” but Kimi doesn’t care about the trends, even though he’s wearing his clothe sponsor’s expensive shirt and trendy jeans. Kimi turns out to be a normal finnish man even though circumstances are better than many other guys’ at his age. “I don’t really go to buy clothes. I hate shopping. Going to the grocery store is enough for me”, Kimi laughs. We don’t really argue Kimi’s calm appearance doesn’t really meet the image which rumour articles and city legends have created of him. Kimi assures that he likes to be in Finland and he can go out normally. He doesn’t start to mock finnish reporters even though they have been lurking around in front of the Porkkala’s gate and taken pictures of the house from the air. Kimi doesn’t seem to stress of certain articles either. “Well yeah, we’d be having a crisis every other day if you believed the stories. And we always have lawyers if the stories go too far”, Kimi laughs. “Sometimes in the beginning we might have ended up arguing over some stories but not anymore. It’s enough that you know yourselves what’s the truth. We don’t really argue that much anyway”, Kimi points out. The old friends have stood by At the moment the man is bothered by the limitations after the knee operation. “Normally I’d go to play bandy or ice hockey but now after the surgery I have had to take a bit more calmly. Jenni and I don’t really do that much on our free time. Pretty often we just watch movies or television together and eat sweets. I miss finnish sweets when I’m abroad”, Kimi admits. On their free time, Kimi and Jenni meet their friends, of course. “The best friends I have are still my old buddies. Of course I’ve got some friends from formula 1 world, like from Sauber team”, Kimi says. “Of course I know Jenni’s friends too and she knows mine but I’m not that close with them that I could just call them”, Kimi describes. I still go out Because of his work, Kimi has to spend lots of time apart from his wife. He doesn’t admit to be a very jealous type anyway. “I’m not jealous of Jenni while I’m abroad. We’ve got clear rules”, Kimi says shortly. Kimi doesn’t avoid answering to the questions about his relationship but he’s not too interested in discussing about the rumours of Jenni and her riding teacher Tomas von Retting and their close friendship. How must it feel when your own wife is told to be sleeping with her own riding teacher? “Yeah, you’d better ask them,” Kimi passes the question with a laugh Another favourite subject on tabloids is Kimi’s partying. He still doesn’t get annoyed of the questions even though the subject can’t be too pleasant. “Well, I’m not going to quit going out just because someone wants to write about it. Although sometimes I wish no one would recognize me”, Kimi admits. “Things are so great now that I shouldn’t be complaining”, Kimi adds. I don’t remember to call home Kimi doesn’t get to see his parents too often during the F1 season but that situation gets better during the off-season. Kimi admits that he’s not always too good at keeping touch with his love ones. “Usually I don’t remember to call home and then my parents call Jenni and ask how we both are doing”, Kimi reveals. Kimi is used to taking care of his own businesses and his parents don’t intervene their son’s money issues for example. “They don’t know how much I earn in a year, for example. They don’t intervene my businesses anyhow. I’ve managed to buy my own houses and I don’t think I have done anything really stupid either”, Kimi analyzes. When the season is on, media follows carefully how often Jenni is seen in races. Wife’s presence isn’t necessary for Kimi. “It’s nice to have some company in the evenings but during the days I’m so busy that we wouldn’t have time to be together. That’s why I tell Jenni every now and then that she doesn’t have to come with me to races. It’s not nice when the other one has to suffer.” I’m not afraid of accidents Kimi’s occupation isn’t the safest one of all. Still, fear is not an option for him. “I’m not afraid. You’ve got the wrong job if you’re afraid of accidents”, Kimi says. Also in civil life, Kimi knows how to drive and doesn’t admit to be a road hog anymore these days. “I’ve got some speeding fines. When I was younger, I was driving more recklessly but not anymore. Nobody drives exactly like the limitations say in Finland but I don’t speed any more than anyone else”, Kimi assures. Suddenly, Kimi’s cell phone starts to ring. Jenni reminds her husband to bring the digital camera with him. The couple has some plans for the night and it’s time for the guests to leave from impressive - and extremely clean - home. “Yeah, we do clean by ourselves. Although the cleaner comes once or twice a week” Kimi grins.

Friday practice -Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren (4th, +0.525s):

"A good start to the weekend and everything went well. It's too early to say where we are compared to the competition, but the car was working well immediately which is always positive and we can still make improvements. I have a new engine in the car this weekend. We spent the session evaluating our Michelin tyres and did some general set-up work. As brakes are crucial at this track they were also included in our programme. I like this circuit and look forward to the rest of the weekend."

Raikkonens Future Still Uncertain

Kimi Raikkonen has left the door open for McLaren to cling on to him for next season after admitting he has not yet decided where his future lies.
The Finn is out of contract at McLaren but has been courted by world champions Renault and Ferrari, who were rumoured to have a pre-contract agreement with him.
However, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has always insisted his team remained contenders to resign the 26-year-old and Raikkonen confirmed that on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, he confessed he has yet to make up his mind where to drive next year, hinting that McLaren could keep him if they improve their form.
He said: "There are many things before I will be 100% sure of what I want. It is small things but in the end for me these are big things.
"I just need to wait a little time and see where we are going - what is happening with our team. There are a few other options."
But Raikkonen denied he was waiting to learn Michael Schumacher's future before committing himself to a team - insisting he has no fear of taking on the seven-time world champion head to head.
Schumacher has put off a decision on whether to retire or remain at Ferrari until later in the season and he is believed to be unlikely to want a driver of Raikkonen's calibre alongside him.
Raikkonen denied that decision had an impact on where he will drive, adding: "It doesn't matter, the decision is my own.
"Alonso has signed a contract with McLaren, it doesn't make my decision any different. I will make the decision that is right for me."
Despite the uncertainty, Raikkonen claims he can remain focused on the task in hand, safe in the knowledge he will not be left without a top drive next year.
With Formula One's top three teams chasing him, Raikkonen is not short of attractive options and he prefers to concentrate on firing McLaren back to the top after a disappointing start to the season.
"It is no worry," he said. "I am happy with what is happening now, I don't really need to worry about next year or any other year.
"For sure I will be in Formula One so I don't need to worry about anything so I am happy. We will know at some point this year what is happening next year for me."
McLaren's form this year has severely hampered their bid to retain Raikkonen, with the Woking-based team slipping off the pace of Renault and Ferrari.
Last year McLaren boasted the fastest car on the grid but Raikkonen's challenge was blunted by reliability problems, a situation reversed this time around.
He admits that slump in form has been deflating but retains hope he can win again for McLaren before the season - and his current contract - is out.
The ex-Sauber driver, who won in Montreal 12 months ago, said: Hopefully we can repeat what happened last year.
"After last year everybody from the team was expecting us to be fighting for the championship and winning races but we are not in such a strong position as we were last year.
"The level of confidence is not as high as it was last year coming to this race. We still have a pretty good car so we just need to do the best that we can.
"There are some races where we can fight for wins if we get everything working."

Renault set to sign Kimi to partner Fisi?

McLaren-Mercedes star Kimi Raikkonen has allegedly been offered a three-year contract by Renault worth 50 million Euros.According to reports by as.com, Renault boss, Flavio Briatore is eager for the Finn to join the regie in 2007, when Fernando Alonso will leave and go in the opposite direction.Although Renault confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella this week, adding that the Italian will form the 'backbone of their challenge next year', it is thought that Briatore is keen to sign the 'ice-man' and reckons he will be the perfect replacement for Alonso, who has consistently outperformed Fisi both this season and last.Furthermore, while it is thought that Ferrari could offer Raikkonen a similar pay-packet, if Michael Schumacher opts to continue to race, the Finn may be surplus to requirements. Indeed, Schumacher is used to having the undisputed attention of the team and may continue to demand 'number one' status.

www.crash.net

Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren (3th) after Great Britain Foster's GP

"I made a good start off the line and was able to maintain my second place. However I was not fast enough on the straights to pass Alonso. After the Safety Car came back in I could close the gap a bit, but that was it really. I suffered from oversteer towards the end of the race which allowed Fisichella to close up. However I wasn't too worried as I knew it would be almost impossible for him to actually overtake. We were not as quick as Alonso and Schumacher and third place was the maximum possible, but I think the good news is that this weekend has shown we are moving in the right direction and are getting more and more competitive."

Interactive Circuit Map - Britain

From the official F1 website.

Kimi Raikkonen about The British Grand Prix

"The British Grand Prix is one I really want to win, as with Monaco it is another of the legendary races on a great track, and of course a home race for the team. Overtaking is possible, so pole position is not so important as in Monaco. I think there will be some different strategies come race day. When we were testing here in late April, the lap times were quicker than in 2005 because we are faster through the corners this year, most of the time has been found in the mid corner performance. This is partly because the smaller V8 engines allow new aero opportunities and also improved Michelin performance from last year. Where this had the most effect was at Copse, which is even quicker now than before, as it has always been one of the fastest we race through. You have to be flat through the right hander, otherwise you lose a lot of time, however because it is now quicker than before you have to be very precise, it has made the corner more of a challenge."

We all wish you to win this race Kimi.

Raikkonen to Ferrari reports continue....

After his second place in Brazil which meant that the driver title is definitly over, rumours concerning his future was heard on the paddock. The Sunday Mirror is reporting that Raikkonen will join Ferrari, at the end of the 2006 season, for a contract worth an amazing Ј22million (Ђ150 million) !!

But if Raikkonen join Ferrari that would mean that Schumacher will retire after the end of his contract in 2006. Ferrari seem unwilling to wait for his decision and so have made the move to secure Raikkonen.
Raikkonen has come close to becoming World Champion...After his second place in Brazil which meant that the driver title is definitly over, rumours concerning his future was heard on the paddock. The Sunday Mirror is reporting that Raikkonen will join Ferrari, at the end of the 2006 season, for a contract worth an amazing Ј22million (Ђ150 million) !!
But if Raikkonen join Ferrari that would mean that Schumacher will retire after the end of his contract in 2006. Ferrari seem unwilling to wait for his decision and so have made the move to secure Raikkonen.
Raikkonen has come close to becoming World Champion on two occasions but has failed to lift the title both times. Reports say that if the Finnish driver was to leave McLaren it would not be for the money but rather because it would be what he believes to be best for him.
"This is not about money. McLaren and Mercedes are big companies and can afford to match, or better, anything Ferrari is offering. They value Kimi highly. It is just down to what he wants to do." told The Sunday Mirror.
But Kimi already said that he has not yet decided for wich team would he drive for the future, and he put pressure on Mclaren and Mercedes to create the most competitive and..... reliable car possible for 2006
"Why should I sign a commitment now," he said. "I have all time in the world. First I want to see how good the cars in the V8 era run, then I will make my mind up."

Whitmarsh wants to keep Kimi

Whitmarsh wants to keep Kimi
09.05.2006. For the first time since McLaren Mercedes has signed Fernando Alonso for 2007, an team official has confirmed, that the McLaren prefers Kimi Räikkönen to remain in the team with the current world champion.


McLaren's chief executive officer Martin Whitmarsh was the first person of the team who spoke official about the driver situation for the 2007 season. Whitmarsh said in the British newspaper Guardian: "There is obviously a huge amount of pressure on any driver who puts on a set of McLaren overalls, and I think we've made no secret of the fact that we would prefer Kimi Raikkonen to remain in the team with Alonso in 2007, and to that end we've given him the maximum amount of time to decide what he wants to do."
After this statement, it seems that McLaren Mercedes has opened his door for Kimi Räikkönen. Now the Finn has to decide to enter or not...

I met some Finnish guys recently who were great fans of yours but they said you are too quiet! Would you say that you a very private person? Everyone is different at work to the way they are at home and it’s the same for me. When I am working, even though I like to do what I am doing, I am quite quiet. Maybe I’m a bit different when I am at home with my friends and my girlfriend - I am more relaxed when I am with them. People always try to change you and make you different but in the end you are going to be what you are otherwise life would be very difficult and you wouldn’t be happy any more. I don’t really mind what other people say to be honest – it doesn’t concern me.
Have you wanted to be a racing driver since you were small.Sort of. I have always loved speed and engines. When I sit in the car I just want to go as quick as I can; it’s really a passion for me. When I was young my idea used to change every day about what was best – one day it was motocross the next it was car racing. I never really thought I wanted be a Formula One driver. OK, perhaps when I was a little kid, but not seriously. It wasn’t until I went to England to race that I thought ‘maybe I could’. At that age you start thinking a bit more seriously. I was lucky to have the right people around me and they helped me get my break.
How did you enjoy living in England? I found it a bit strange at first mostly because I didn’t speak the language, but once I got used to it, it was fine. I lived in Chigwell with my manager who had a big house there. It was really nice. I didn’t get up to much though. I was living in England for almost two years but I only went to a nightclub once in all that time. My manager had a couple of brothers, one who played a lot of golf and another who was mad about training so I spent most of my time doing that.
You aren’t the only driver in the Raikkonen family are you? Your brother is pretty successful in the Finnish national rally championship. Yes, but he’s not quite as serious about his driving as me. Sometimes he’s interested and sometimes not so much. He does well when he does the rallies, but I think it's more hobby for him than anything else.
You are one of his biggest sponsors aren’t you? Sort of. I bought him his rally car. Actually, he built it with one of our cousins and then our cousin wanted to get rid of it. It was almost a brand new car and he wanted to do the rallies and have some fun with it so I helped him out.
Are you happy at McLaren at the moment? It’s really good. The people are really easy to work with and everything’s going reasonably well. It’s a good team to be with. They have so many people that they can look after things for you and that makes your life easier over a race weekend. They are very good at that.
When you joined McLaren people inevitably compared you to the team’s former Finnish driver, Mika Hakkinen. Does that bother you? If you go to a team where your double world champion countryman has just been then people are always going to compare you – I think that’s pretty normal. Some people maybe thought I was stepping into his shoes but not me – I just wanted to learn as quickly as possible and do as well as I could. Mika has become a good friend. We see each other when we have time – or rather when I have time because he has lots of time available now – but we don’t speak about racing when we get together. You cannot learn from anybody else how to drive the car and if you’re not good enough now then you shouldn’t be in Formula One.
You’ve had a much better season than David. Is that just luck or is it because you are a better driver than him? I don’t know. It could be both but it’s so difficult to say. Sometimes he’s quicker than me in qualifying and sometimes I’m quicker than him. I think qualifying has pretty much decided what’s going to happen this year. I’m just happy what’s happening for me this year and hope I can keep it up.

Kimi - the iceman

Hi for all!!! i'm glad to be Kimi's fan! and if u like Kimi too, then aj nzn ka ce rasyt ... krc fak ju :D