I have recently been pondering the brash actions of Kimi Raikkonen.
Recently, he has received some harsh words in regards to his actions against a photographer and an overzealous fan seeking an autograph. His actions in each situation range from unkind to selfish and dismissive.
I have little interest in trying to determine how justified his actions were, but rather, I wanted to try to figure out why he acted in the way he did.
But first, some background in case one has forgotten or missed these events.
At Silverstone, while preparing for the start of the British Grand Prix, a photographer positioned himself over Kimi Raikkonen’s gear for a close up shot. Kimi, needing access to his equipment, shoved over the photographer and went about his business.
The second incident occurred when a mother approached Kimi for an autograph with her child in tow. Kimi walked by without acknowledging the woman, causing her to knock over the child.
Both the woman and Kimi walked away from the child until Kimi appeared to motion to the woman that the child needed her mother.
Perhaps Kimi acted within his rights, and perhaps he didn’t. He clearly had little interest in apologizing in both cases. A better question is, why did he act in such a manner?
The typical response to Kimi’s behavior is that he is simply a quiet person who doesn’t like the celebrity status that comes with being a Formula One driver. I, for one, have little doubt that this is a largely true statement.
Kimi has made comments on his personal life being just that, personal. He even said similar words about Max Mosley’s actions during the heat of the scandal.
However, both of Kimi's actions took place in front of video cameras and on a race track. Kimi might love his privacy, but he is surely aware when video cameras are rolling.
Another common explanation of his actions is that he is not interested in F1 any more. I find it hard to believe that a man uninterested in F1 would want access to his racing gear, or want to keep up with a member of his Ferrari team when presented with an autograph.
If he was so upset or unsatisfied, one would think he would welcome these chances to slack off. Instead, we see him acting like a man who holds seven fastest laps this season; focusing while on the race track and during the race weekend.
Thus, one might be left to consider what it could be that is bothering him, and I am proposing the following:
Each Formula 1 driver is a talented and driven athlete. Certainly, some are more driven than others, and some are more naturally talented. But talent, work ethic, and a little luck is what earns these drivers their seats. If a driver is not hungry for victory or if their relative talent is too low, they are quickly dropped from the series.
14 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Stuart Baird 10 months ago
spot on mate.
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Eric Moseley 10 months ago
Thank you very much. And I wanted to send out a thank you shout for all picks of the day. I know many of my readers are in Great Britain, and I can usually struggle to send out a proper thanks.
So, thank you!
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Anon ymous 10 months ago
Why didn't the mother pay more attention to her child than some guy? Kimi is very low key, very quiet nice guy, but people tend to swarm him. It was the mother who inadvertently knocked her little snowflake over!
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Mani M 10 months ago
Yes. Kimi is actually a very down to earth person who hates publicity and loves his privacy. But sometimes the media specualtes very bad against him... :(
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John Holmes 10 months ago
"Kimi walked by without acknowledging the woman, causing her to knock over the child." Unless he pushed Mommy dearest in some way how did he cause the child to be knocked over? Or maybe she was trying to pass her phone number to him and couldn't be bothered by her precious darling.
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Eric Moseley 10 months ago
A video search will show you that kimi walks through her outstretched arms, causing her arms to swing into her child. Without Kimi there, the child would not have been knocked over, but a less aggressive mother would have also prevented this. As I said in the article I am not really saying Kimi was right or wrong in either case. I think both situations could have been handled better (from Kimi's side and from the agitator's), and I think we have witnessed the outcome when neither side was as kind as they could possibly be.
I know that sounds very uncommitted to an opinion, but I think it is the best light in which to view these events.
Though, for the record, I do not think Kimi is the kind of person to knock over small children or get into shoving matches with photographers.
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Janet A. 10 months ago
Well, I don't wether Kimi is down to earth as I don't know him on a personal level, but I like to think that he would not purposely hurt a child. At least he does not strike me as the kind of man that would. Nonetheless, it's his driving skills that are of importance in this game. I could care less whether he is angry at the media. This in no way should affect his skills as a driver. He needs to get on with it and win this championship!!!!! Enough already Kimi-
Sincerely,
a slightly perturbed Kimi Fan:(
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asdd dddddAE 10 months ago
Eric I'm shocked. This is a terrific article. Thanks for sharing.
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Pia Ahonen-Hocking 10 months ago
Its funny how different point of view finnish people have about that media things than others. maybe it is language, maybe its cultural or maybe it is that finnish people are so much on the earth people.
We love our sport persons but we understand that they are humans as well.
When was asked from finnish people about that photographer case, 85 % thought it was potographers own fault. You do NOT stand on top of race drivers gears just few minutes before race. That is pure stupiness.
That mother who pushed her child was responsible about her own child and what happened was complete her fault.
I think biggest problem with media is that Kimi do not give them what they want so they have to try make scandal after scandal. Like most of finish people Kimi is shy and do not want share his private life with media. Finnish people do not show their feelings in public either.
Honestly Kimi is very much normal finnish man and behive like one.
Media, specially british are difficult understand that and thats why they normally can not have nice interview from Kimi. But there are journalist who allways have nice words from him and for who Kimi allways make time. intresting....
Maybe those journalist who can not get word out from him should stop and think....WHY
Maybe they are not so professional like they believe themselves.
Ask stupid questions and you will have stupid answers. And its not Kimis motto only.
I have seen other finnish race drivers following that same rules. Include our rally WDC and F1 champion Mika Hakkinen.
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Eric Moseley 10 months ago
Yes, a large chunk of the message I wanted to get across is that a good percent of the media doesn't do a good job. Kimi may or may not be more open if they handled themselves better and actually stuck to reporting what matters and not thousands of minor details, but at the very lease a better product (quality over quantity) would be delivered.
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Moriker KW 10 months ago
Great article, and I think it was written in a fair light. I am always irritated whenever people think that as a driver you have to be upright and priestly and not commit any sin. Even for the case of Max Mosley, I felt that whatever happened did not affect his capacity as the President of the FIA, and the President of the FIA certainly doesn't meddle with others' sex life either. So why the need to oust him just for something he did that he didn't even intended for public view?
For Kimi, the media should have known better than to get too close to him. We;ve seen cases of him losing his temper with those who got too close into his personal space, much less to trample on his equipment when he should be focusing on the upcoming race/qualifying. Those people are simply asking for it, and if they fail to respect his privacy/space, then why should Kimi respect them?
The incident with the mother-child appalled me in the way the mother handled her child. Clearly her lust after Kimi's autograph was stronger than her motherly instinct. If you looked at the video, the child was trailing behind her when she first approached Kimi for the autograph. It didn't even seem to cross her mind at any time to check and make sure her child is with her, much less to ensure the child's safety. It was disgusting how she left her child crying and wailing in public sight while she continued to chase after Kimi, who, if he didn't give a damn could have simply walked on than to motion for her to take care of her child. So just because the people/media don't know the mother's name doesn't mean it would be convenient for them to blame only kimi for that incident.
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Heikki Talvitie 10 months ago
The media people have to create and make-up stories since they have no news to report. They just have to keep talking.
Kimi and the other F1 drivers are putting up a terrific entertainment show for us; let's enjoy it. At the same time they are also putting their lives on line every time they go on track. Though well paid, I agree, but you can't collect when you are six feet under.
Would someone please enlighten me on any other worldwide entertainment event where media and especially the spectators have direct access to the individual entertainer immediately before their performance? Do you think, a fan would be able to stop someone like Pavarotti, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma or Michael Phelps on their way to the stage or pool and hound for an autograph or sit on their instruments or towel?
Maybe the solution is that after the race the drivers don't disappear so fast, that, the media can have it's "dog and pony show" in peace and maybe some "selected" fans can have their autographs.
Please, give the drivers their space before the race, who want it, like Kimi.
I was there with my cameras when Jarno Truli's namesake was winning the world championships; I know how tense the time is before the race.
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Anne Doe 10 months ago
I think that Raikkonen just does what he says on the tin. He drives the car fast. Everything else is just details.
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Anne Doe 10 months ago
Anyway, I think i'd be laconic like that if I had 7 billion cameras in my face. I was in Joensuu recently and I think finnish people in general just don't like to tell everybody their life story.
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