Uma entrevista com Kimi

O membro Denorth, do F1 Racing Forums, achou a entrevista abaixo em um site russo e segundo informou, parece ter sido dada a um jornalista russo no Rali da Jordânia.

O texto já estava traduzido do russo para o inglês (não foi Denorth quem fez), não está perfeito em tradução, mas dá para entender.

Q: Kimi is it true you had a car from Russia?

Kimi: Yes, Lada was my first car after I got my licence. Parents had several of those, but I got mine from a family friend. The engine didn't work, but I restored it. It was a good car. The main thing that time was to get from one place to another and she did it. Brakes weren't absolutely ok, but good enough for the first car. I sold it later to one of the friends.

Q: Do you have a dream car? Mikko spends a lot of time restoring his Rally Ford Escort.

Kimi: I don't think I can point anything special. I like different cars - both sportscars and old cars. It would be strange to mark one in particular.

Q: Rally - is it entertainment or result matters?

Kimi: Both. Of course, I am doing my best to achieve a good result, but there is still a lot to learn. It's not only the driving style that matters, but a lot of other factors. I am trying to get used to it. Most difficult thing - to make a good legend/notes. I have to work a lot with the co-driver and he helps me.

Q: Why did you choose Kaj? Because he worked with Tommi Mäkinen

Kimi: Yes, it was important. I had known Tommi, and when I wanted to try Rally it was his company that prepared a car for me.

Kaj's help is very useful. We met each other several years ago in Monaco. I think in 2006. We were joking that time that we would do it together (rally) at some point. He is trying to teach me everything he knows. His help is priceless.

Q: You had a chance to ride with Sebastien Loeb...

Kimi: Yes, Citroen's drivers help me. To have a ride with such driver is a very good opportunity to learn a thing. It was a very good experiment, I learnt a lot for myself.

Q: Formula 1 experience, does it help?

Kimi: If only on tarmac. The rallies that I did in the beginning of the season (Sweden and Mexico) were very difficult. Nothing common with F1. Conditions are different from turn to turn. One need different philosophy here.

Q: In F1 you always need to drive on the edge, pushing to maximum (tyres, brakes). But in rally you need some reserves and taking less risk - not to crush the car. Is it the reason of your crushes ealrier?

Kimi: Not, not at all. I just didn't listen to co-driver and was entering the turn with the higher speed that it was needed. In Mexico I braked to late, we hit the roadside and rolled over.

Q: In the end of the season there will be some rallies on tarmac, can we count on your progress?

Kimi: Yes, it will be a little bit easier on tarmac, but it is important to think not about the result now, but the progress. This is the target.

Q: When you were a boy, did you wnat to be a champioin in F1 or Rally?

Kimi: Both. I achieve one, so still to do the second. Will see. It's only the beginning of the way, and I am ready to work hard.

Q: They say you could replace Mark Webber next year in Red Bull?

Kimi: I have no contract for the next year - neither in Rally nor in F1. It is too early to to talk about what will happen.

Q: You often said that you loved F1 of 70s (James Hunt era) more..

Kimi: Yes, it was a different F1 - without huge budgets and global brands. More relaxed, more open. But this happens with any kind of sport. Big companies bring big money. The other side of the coin/medal - everything is getting more complicated and more tense. I really like F1 of 70s more.

Q: Why you didn't come to Bahrain, where almost all alive champions gathered?

Kimi: I was busy with the rally test and couldn't go to Bahrain. I think only about rally these days.

Q: What do you think about your future? What will you be doing, let's say, when you are 60? Still be in sport or buy yourself a house at the lake and will be fishing?

Kimi: I don't know what I will be doing next year and you are asking when I am 60... It's not the time to think about it yet, I have no idea what I will be doing. Main thing - health.

I understand that there will be a point when I have to stop racing. Let alone at 60. If nothing happens I think I will stay at racing. My whole life is connected to races. This period of life can't just disappear...

Agradecimento: Denorth (F1 Racing Forums)

Beijinhos, Ice-Ludy