What makes Kimi Raikkonen the Fan Favorite?

Kimi ‘The Iceman’ Raikkonen

Kimi ‘Iceman’ Raikkonen is not just any Formula One driver. The driver from Finland is a standout from the rest of the pack. Be it his driving on the track, his persona on and off it, his attitude or his personal life. He’s different. After all, nobody else takes a nap just before their Grand Prix debut in Formula One, do they? Blunt, cold and a man of few words; that’s Kimi Raikkonen for you. He is arguably the most popular driver on the grid who has a fan following across the world which has been on the rise all through from his days at Mclaren-Mercedes to Ferrari and currently with Lotus-Renault.

Here’s a take on what makes Kimi Raikkonen the ‘pin-up poster boy of Formula One’ the fan favorite.

Kimi the Driver

Talent as a driver is what Raikkonen has in abundance. Give him a car and he is bound to take the wheels of it. He will muscle it, push it on to the curbs and use every inch of the track to go faster. That’s what he has been doing all these years. Be it with Sauber-Ferrari, Mclaren-Mercedes, Ferrari or even the NASCAR and World Rally. He survives on the need to go fast and has been vocal about how he just loves to drive with the sole aim of winning the World Driver’s Championship again. Add to that his ability to find his way through the grid and manage last lap overtaking manoeuvres.

He was once quoted as saying, “Winning feels good, but I’m not the type of guy who jumps up and down and rubs it in everyone’s face.” He just wants to reach the top of the podium, celebrate and move on unlike some other drivers who would flaunt their victories.

His life as a driver is incomplete without mentioning his uncanny consistency of finishing among the points, thanks to which he holds the record for most consecutive point finishes in races at 27. He is probably the most charismatic driver that Formula One has had in recent years. He is a driver who just loves to drive on the track and enjoy his life off it, both without imposed restrictions.

The man behind the wheel

While Raikkonen is known for expressing his feelings on track (especially on the team-radio), he is not much of a talker off it. And the ‘Iceman’ nickname can be identified with him. He is in agreement and even has it tattooed on his left forearm. He is an interviewer’s nightmare, yet the media adores him. Overtly expressionless, his answers are short, witty and mostly blunt. Not to mention they can make you laugh.

He once said, “I’ve always enjoyed the racing and the driving; if I had a choice I wouldn’t do all of the other side.” He doesn’t believe in prepared answers or the PR words that the other drivers are fed. He talks about what he believes (that’s when he talks), take it or leave it. He is also the last person who would want to please someone with the sweet talk. That’s what stands out and makes him different and popular among the fans.

His life off the track is nothing that stays hidden. He loves to do unusual and exciting things that please him which the shutterbugs don’t mind capturing. He is a keen follower of James Hunt (popularly known as ‘Hunt the Shunt’), a Formula One driver in the 70’s with heroics similar to those of his own. He loves snowmobiling, spending time at his yacht named ‘One More Toy’, plays badminton with Sebastian Vettel and likes to party hard like a teenager. He is surely one who believes in working hard and partying harder.

Let’s face it, we all love the Iceman. He was an asset to Formula One before his sabbatical in 2009 and continues to be one since his return. He might not have won races like some of the other drivers but he surely has been a driver people love to watch at the stands on the circuit and on television.

And it’s needless to say the fans will be in for more of his antics in 2014 with his moving back to Ferrari and racing alongside Fernando Alonso. That’s pretty much a fire and ice battle and will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.

I know who I will be rooting for – the poster boy.