Suzuka, 1 October 2009

In the brand new Suzuka paddock, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s team area was packed out for this afternoon’s press conference with Kimi Raikkonen, following the announcement that next year’s Prancing Horse driver line-up would consist of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. “There are many reasons, why this has happened,” said the Finn, who seemed as calm and relaxed as ever. “In F1, even if you have a contract, there can always be different options in life. There is not just one reason why this happened and we all reached the same decision. I’m still happy with what I have done in making this decision and I think I will still have a good future. Usually when you make a contract, you stick with it to the end, but there were reasons why it did not work out, but I’m okay with how things have turned out.”



Kimi would not rise to the bait when asked to criticise the team’s decision. “I have nothing bad to say about them as we always had a good relationship,” he insisted. “I don’t think anyone expected Ferrari to have this sort of season, which turned out to be so difficult. But this can happen in F1 sometimes, when you don’t deliver a car capable of always being at the front, but this is just one year and we will wait and see what happens next. I would not have done anything different: of course I would like to win more races, but in terms of decisions about my life, I would not do anything differently to the way I have done it. I am happy with what I have achieved, even if whenever you look back, you think you might have done things differently, but that’s easy to say when you look back. But in terms of contracts and so on, I would not do anything different. With Ferrari, I have achieved what I set out to do in winning the title. We had good times and sometimes more difficult times, but that’s part of this business and you just have to get through those moments. We won many championships, one for me, two for the team and I have happy memories.”

Kimi would not give too much away in terms of his plans for next year and beyond. “So far I have not talked too much about what I will do next, as I still have time to make my decision and I will let you know when I have! For the moment, I haven’t decided what I want to do next, whether I want to continue racing or not. I had a contract for next year, but now I don’t, so that changes things. So maybe I race, maybe I do not. Rallying? Yes there’s a chance to do that, but there’s as much of a chance that I continue in Formula 1. I will decide before the start of next year for sure! If I do decide to stay in Formula 1, I wouldn’t go to any of the small teams, where I would not have the chance to fight for the championship. If I race next year, that would be my goal, otherwise there is no reason to be in Formula 1. I achieved what I wanted, but if I race, then of course, I want to win more races and championship titles.”