Skip to main content

Recommended for you

On This Day: The "unbelievable" drive that earned Michael Schumacher his first Ferrari win

Formula 1
Spanish GP
On This Day: The "unbelievable" drive that earned Michael Schumacher his first Ferrari win

Mercedes' unique diffuser design and why it stands out from the rest of the grid

Formula 1
Mercedes' unique diffuser design and why it stands out from the rest of the grid

Lewis Hamilton drives custom 1984 Buick Regal as F1 driver explores lowrider culture

Formula 1
Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton drives custom 1984 Buick Regal as F1 driver explores lowrider culture

Flying the flag: What will be F1's next new nationality?

Feature
Formula 1
Feature
Flying the flag: What will be F1's next new nationality?

Iker Lecuona returns to MotoGP to replace Alex Marquez

MotoGP
Hungarian GP
Iker Lecuona returns to MotoGP to replace Alex Marquez

Nico Rosberg reveals major mental change behind 2016 Lewis Hamilton clash

Formula 1
Monaco GP
Nico Rosberg reveals major mental change behind 2016 Lewis Hamilton clash

Dries Vanthoor explains contact with brother Laurens, slams penalty

IMSA
Detroit
Dries Vanthoor explains contact with brother Laurens, slams penalty

Whelen Cadillac gets the “win that we’ve been searching for a while” in Detroit

IMSA
Detroit
Whelen Cadillac gets the “win that we’ve been searching for a while” in Detroit
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 celebrates at the end of the race

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the winner's circle in Abu Dhabi in his inimitable style.

Once derided for being robotic and shy, the 2007 world champion is now widely loved for being the 'iceman' -- a nickname dreamed up by the press but now tattooed with pride on the Lotus driver's forearm.

Race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team celebrates on the podium
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team celebrates on the podium

Photo by: xpb.cc

On Sunday, after scotching the view that F1 comebacks cannot be successful by driving to victory, he had scolded his engineer mid-race for talking in his ear about the gap to second place.

"Just leave me alone," he said. "I know what I'm doing."

Afterwards, he was asked on the podium by his former McLaren teammate David Coulthard to let the world in on his emotions.

"Not much, really," said 33-year-old Raikkonen.

"Last time you guys (the media) were giving me shit because I didn't smile enough, so maybe this time (you will) again."

Later, he told another reporter: "Like I said, I'm happy, but there's nothing to jump around about."

Raikkonen admitted, however, that despite drinking rose water on the no-alcohol Arab podium, he would find somewhere else to celebrate later on Sunday.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1
Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1

Photo by: xpb.cc

Asked 'how many days' he will dedicate to celebrating the win, he answered: "As long as I manage to get myself to the next race I think the team is happy."

And when told it was the first time a 'Lotus' had won a Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna in 1987, Raikkonen was completely unsentimental.

"It's a name," he said. "It's the same team since Fernando (Alonso) was there (as Renault), just a different name.

"It's a great name for us, (a) good past but you know I race for the team whatever the name is, I don't really care."

Previous article Vettel reaches first 'match point' of 2012 title
Next article Red Bull's Adrian Newey had a blast at Silverstone - Video

Top Comments

Latest news