Despite the Flying Finn's desire for fun and frivolity, there can be little doubting his commitment to the sport, writes Alam Khan There had been widespread speculation that Kimi Raikkonen would quit Ferrari and F1 at the end of next season when his contract expired. But, on the eve of a crucial Italian Grand Prix on home soil at Monza today, he signed to stay for an additional year. With Felipe Massa also on board until 2010, it means Ferarri will stick with their current team for two more years, quashing reports that Fernando Alonso will join from Renault.
"It was not a very difficult choice [to stay]," admits Raikkonen. "Of course when you have a hard time it is sometimes not easy, but it doesn't mean you are not enjoying the driving or you are not motivated. I still enjoy it; if I didn't I would stop." All is not peachy on the racetrack though, with the world champion 19 points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton in the driver's title race. And there are just five races to go.
But no one can forget last year's race to the championship when the Finn went from third to first at the death - for only the fourth time in the sport's history. At one stage he was 26 points behind the great British hope Hamilton. He knows he will have to do it all over again to defend his title. "I think we can be a bit more aggressive [in today's race], not just in the driving, but many other things. We can take risks," he says. "Yes I came from behind last year and it's still possible to win the title, but it's not going to be easy.
"It makes it more interesting for people to watch when it's like this and you have a few guys going for the title. But I would still rather have 100 points more - it would make my life easier." An impressive race in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa last week before he crashed into the barriers showed the car was functioning more smoothly than it has been in a disappointing campaign. He has not won in nine grands prix.
It has not been an easy year for him. As so often happens in life, Raikkonen was brought crashing down after his title success, criticised for his results and also for his apparent lack of motivation in the sport. But it is something he feels he can handle as he adds: "There's always pressure as a driver, but it's part of our job. I don't think I need to have good results just because other people want me to have them. I want to have good results because I want to have them. If it doesn't happen, it's disappointing for yourself."
Some criticism has been attributed to his wild ways, brought on by a love of fast cars and bikes, parties and high jinks. And he does not deny his love for life with his Ferrari paymasters seemingly happy to let him enjoy it as long as he produces on raceday. It is a flashback to the days of his idol, the flamboyant former world champion James Hunt. "He enjoyed it all," he says. "Formula One is now different. When people are comparing today, it was more open, glamour and fun back then. There are a lot of big companies involved now and maybe it's not.
"Definitely, people would probably prefer to have those elements [of the past] back." Away from the track, Raikkonen plays ice hockey as often as he can, a passion that dates back to his youth when he gave it up because he didn't like the 5am practice sessions. He has admitted his passion for rallying too, with Malcolm Wilson - the head of the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi team - saying he will offer Raikkonen a test.
Formula One, however, remains his first love. And he is looking forward to the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next year. The capital will make its F1 debut at Yas Island on Nov 15 in the final race of the 2009 calendar. Raikkonen has been a regular visitor to the UAE and has welcomed the region's presence in motorsport. "It's good to see F1 going to countries where the money is and people interested in racing," he says. Mubadala and Etihad are also sponsors of Ferrari.
"It's important and it's needed. I am not surprised there is a GP in the UAE. Everyone knows when they start doing something, going for something, they usually do it or get it. "I have been going there for a few years, mostly for New Year, and will be in Abu Dhabi in two weeks' time. Every time I go, there is something different, something growing. It looks so different to when I first went there in 2003.
"There's a lot of things involved in F1, but driving is the reason I'm in there. It's such a nice feeling when you are in the car, a high. It's difficult to explain, especially when the car is driving well." Raikkonen will be hoping that's the case today. His title dream depends on it. akhan@thenational.ae