Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen has had consistent speeds and mostly consistent finishes, but that isn’t all he delivers on a regular basis. The Iceman is known for his deadpan interviews, frank replies and dry humour. He may not be a man of many words, but those words are almost always certainly bone-crushingly hilarious.
Kimi has been a source of constant amusement to the Formula One community since his debut, and now one of the oldest on the grid, he continues to enthrall, whether on team radio or in interviews.
We’d usually, er, leave him alone, but Kimi Raikkonen says some hilarious things off-track, too.
Here are 5 of the most hilarious things Kimi Raikkonen has said after a race:
On pre-race rituals
Several Formula One drivers, past and present, have had superstitions – lucky socks, underwear (David Coulthard, who famously spoke of wearing race-winning pairs until they were worn-out), and many drivers favour car numbers because they believe they are lucky for them.
Raikkonen was asked what his special superstition or belief was.
His answer? I clean my visor so I can see well.
Solid advice. 10/10.
….speaking of visors
Raikkonen was a guest on popular motoring TV show Top Gear, formerly hosted by Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson mentioned helmets and how they have special significance for many drivers.
Ayrton Senna was one – his green and yellow striped helmet, representing the flag of his home country Brazil, is perhaps the single most iconic in the history of Formula One.
Compatriot Felipe Massa has worn a similar one, while three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who idolizes Senna, has also worn a similar one in tribute in the past.
Senna's nephew, Bruno, who had a short stint in Formula 1, wore a near-identical shell to his uncle’s.
But Kimi had no such attachments.
“The helmet has a special significance for many drivers,” Clarkson asked. “How important is it for you?”
It protects my head.
An astute reply if there ever was one. It’s what it’s there for.
On Lewis Hamilton and his winning ways
Lewis Hamilton once described winning his first race as being “better than sex.” Another reporter informed Kimi of this.
Kimi’s response? “Maybe he has never had sex.”
On his own motorsports beginnings and why he loves F1
It’s known that Raikkonen had the option to pursue ice hockey, but took up Formula One instead. He was asked why he made that choice.
“Because I don’t have to get up so early in the morning to do motorsports.”
The only thing Kimi loves about F1?
The driving.
Well...that makes sense.
