Raikkonen - misunderstood genius?
Discussion
Interesting piece on the BBC about Raikkonen's 'split personality':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/03/th...
For them as can't be bothered to read it, the gist of it is that the dour Finn is actually talkative and jocular with everyone except the Press. 'He is just not interested in any of his dealings with the media and, unlike his rivals, doesn't bother to hide it.'
We can all understand people in the public eye not liking the members of the Press, but I wonder if Kimi has really thought this one through. Whether he likes it or not, the Press is the only medium through which he has a chance to show the public his true personality. Giving the Press the poker face treatment is effectively the same as giving the public the cold shoulder. Just wondering if he really doesn't realise that he needs to see beyond the Press to his ultimate audience – the fans. Seems odd that he's not getting better advice from his minders, if he has any.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/03/th...
For them as can't be bothered to read it, the gist of it is that the dour Finn is actually talkative and jocular with everyone except the Press. 'He is just not interested in any of his dealings with the media and, unlike his rivals, doesn't bother to hide it.'
We can all understand people in the public eye not liking the members of the Press, but I wonder if Kimi has really thought this one through. Whether he likes it or not, the Press is the only medium through which he has a chance to show the public his true personality. Giving the Press the poker face treatment is effectively the same as giving the public the cold shoulder. Just wondering if he really doesn't realise that he needs to see beyond the Press to his ultimate audience – the fans. Seems odd that he's not getting better advice from his minders, if he has any.
Blackpuddin said:
We can all understand people in the public eye not liking the members of the Press, but I wonder if Kimi has really thought this one through. Whether he likes it or not, the Press is the only medium through which he has a chance to show the public his true personality. Giving the Press the poker face treatment is effectively the same as giving the public the cold shoulder. Just wondering if he really doesn't realise that he needs to see beyond the Press to his ultimate audience – the fans. Seems odd that he's not getting better advice from his minders, if he has any.
That assumes that he gives two s
ts about the fans. Everything I've ever seen from him suggests that he likes to drive racing cars and he happens to be good at it. Everything else is secondary. I honestly don't think he'd be bothered if nobody watched him or if he didn't get any fan support. I really dislike the driver interviews, they are predictable and boring, say nothing interesting and if they keep thanking the team any more i am going to mute them.
If i thanked my wife, who cooked my tea, everytime i met a stranger she would think i was mad. Why can't they just contact them in a more meaningful way.
Raikkonen, enjoyed watching him and would pay to watch him race even if he could not talk.
Who cares
If i thanked my wife, who cooked my tea, everytime i met a stranger she would think i was mad. Why can't they just contact them in a more meaningful way.
Raikkonen, enjoyed watching him and would pay to watch him race even if he could not talk.
Who cares
Personally, as a 'fan' I prefer the fact Kimi is his own man and speaks when he chooses to, rather than following the corporate line. He drives well (which is the important bit) and he keeps his statements to a minimum.
To be honest, the interviews where everything is 'challenging', 'encouraging', 'Team is brilliant', 'Thank you , Thank you, Thank you', are a bit cringe-worthy and have more than a hint of insincerity.
To be honest, the interviews where everything is 'challenging', 'encouraging', 'Team is brilliant', 'Thank you , Thank you, Thank you', are a bit cringe-worthy and have more than a hint of insincerity.
I was playing devil's advocate with the original post and actually agree with the views expressed that he shouldn't indulge the press. His blank approach ironically gives him a degree of personality that few of the other drivers have. The only one I can think of who matches him is Webber. I admire the way he shoots from the hip while stopping just short of putting his employers in an impossible position.
Pork_n_Beem said:
I really dislike the driver interviews, they are predictable and boring, say nothing interesting and if they keep thanking the team any more i am going to mute them.
If i thanked my wife, who cooked my tea, everytime i met a stranger she would think i was mad. Why can't they just contact them in a more meaningful way.
Raikkonen, enjoyed watching him and would pay to watch him race even if he could not talk.
Who cares
I agree, driver interviews are sIf i thanked my wife, who cooked my tea, everytime i met a stranger she would think i was mad. Why can't they just contact them in a more meaningful way.
Raikkonen, enjoyed watching him and would pay to watch him race even if he could not talk.
Who cares
t. From what I've seen, F1 actually gives the drivers the most freedom to speak their mind. Watch a post-race interview of a BTCC driver and all you get is a list of sponsors. 
hairykrishna said:
That assumes that he gives two sts about the fans. Everything I've ever seen from him suggests that he likes to drive racing cars and he happens to be good at it. Everything else is secondary. I honestly don't think he'd be bothered if nobody watched him or if he didn't get any fan support.
This. ts about the fans. Everything I've ever seen from him suggests that he likes to drive racing cars and he happens to be good at it. Everything else is secondary. I honestly don't think he'd be bothered if nobody watched him or if he didn't get any fan support. He just wants to race, and he's happy race anything from F1 cars to snow mobiles. I like Kimi Raikkonen a lot for that reason, and the fact he's one of a small number of drivers who is openly honest and says what he thinks. He's the one driver everyone would pick to go for a few beers with.
vtgts300kw said:
CocoUK said:
Could be an old-wives tale, but did Kimi receive advice from Mika to be the way he is with the media in order to have a quiet life?
He is quite well known back in Finland for his partying ways though isn't he?But as per the topic, the way he acts in front of the media when at work, i.e. quiet, boring etc, is possibly due, in part, to the advice he received from Mika. Give the media bugger all, they go off else where for a story, you get yourself an ice-cream.
Blackpuddin said:
Giving the Press the poker face treatment is effectively the same as giving the public the cold shoulder. Just wondering if he really doesn't realise that he needs to see beyond the Press to his ultimate audience – the fans. Seems odd that he's not getting better advice from his minders, if he has any.
Well he seems to have plenty of fans, earns plenty of money and has a World Championship under his belt. Sounds like he's doing just fine to me.
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