Raikkönen doesn’t rule out an extension
Kimi Raikkönen disclosed in an interview by CNN that he might stay at Ferrari beyond 2015 if he still feels the hunger for racing. He said that he still has the passion for racing.
The 35-year-old former F1 champion, who secured the last drivers' title for Ferrari, is the oldest man in Formula 1. Although this year he was dogged by misfortune and discomfort with Ferrari’s F14 T, the former champion hinted he may look beyond the end of next year when his current contract expires.
"I have a contract for next year and probably for one more year," Raikkonen told the reporters. "But I'm not a young guy anymore.
"I want to do something more with my life than just Formula 1. I will finish my career in Ferrari. I never lost the passion. I will stop the day when I feel I don't enjoy it anymore.”
The laconic Finn said the only man he considers as a friend among the actual racing drivers in F1 is Sebastian Vettel.
"The guy I have most to do with outside of racing is Vettel," he says. "The rest I don't really see as friends, I race against them. He's just a normal guy and it's an easy relationship."
The Finnish driver has been preparing himself for the fatherhood as his girlfriend Minttu Virtanen is expecting a baby.
„The biggest challenge will be the family. It will require much time and care.”
„Yes, he has more experiences.” – answered Kimi when he was asked whether he can ask his friend Vettel for advices.
Kimi can still remember the days when he was searching for the limits behind the wheel of a Lada.
„I had a Russian Lada. I got it from one of my friend. We changed its engine. It was perfect for us – a very strong car. It was originally red, but we painted it black. It never broke down.”
Kimi, who has an unique character, admitted he wasn’t fond of the world around F1. He loved racing, but he is desperate to avoid any situation in which he has to show himself for no reason.
„It would be perfect if I could have a normal life in which nobody cares of me. These two (racing and full privacy) rule out themselves. Racing and driving are the most important, but many other things are part of them as well. I have been long enough in this sport to know that it is part of our sport. I don’t really enjoy this. I am not a fan of going to places just to show myself. I never wanted to hide it.”
