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3 Jul 2009, 08:24 (Ref:2495343) | #1 | |
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Musings on Kimi Raikkonen and Human Behaviour
Is Kimi really as disinterested as people claim, or are we guilty of imposing our values onto his personality?
Whereas most drivers constantly look to their team-mate’s performance for comparison, Kimi genuinely doesn’t seem to care how Massa gets on. This is analogous to the ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ mentality seen in more typical western, capitalist countries. We constantly compare ourselves to our neighbours, friends or colleagues and if we fall short in any sense we feel inferior. Is it not healthier to be happy with ourselves rather than in investing our sense of self in how we compare to others? For me, Kimi has always had a good outlook. He sees F1 as a sport, and enjoys the competition. He wants to win because that’s the aim of the game. However, it won’t destroy him if he doesn’t win. Whatever the result, it doesn’t change who he is. Whereas, when you look at the likes of Hamilton, Senna, Mansell or Alonso, they seem to need to win in order to feel good about themselves. If they’re not winning, they’re not happy. Succes in F1 is all they care about. Again, we see this as a positive thing. We label it as ‘drive’ and ‘passion’, when in fact, it’s probably just plain dysfunctional. This is not just true of F1, but other sports too. If you have single-minded, determined, win-at-all-costs mentality, it’s seen as a positive thing. If you have things in perspective and see sport as a fun pursuit to be enjoyed and not taken too seriously, you’re looked upon in a negative light. |
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3 Jul 2009, 09:02 (Ref:2495356) | #2 | ||
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I work with someone from the same neck of the woods as KR, and they do seem quite similar in attitude and manner of speech. It's an interesting comparison. Maybe it's very much a Scandinavian trait. I seem to remember the rally drivers having similar attitudes.
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3 Jul 2009, 09:23 (Ref:2495366) | #3 | ||
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But surely the whole point is to relish the competition? You're right, Kimi doesn't seem interested if Massa beats him or not (as I've already said on another thread I can't remember another driver who's heart is so clearly not in it), but he should care, and his team would expect him to care.
I still believe that Kimi is the quickest driver out there and to be honest he should be blowing Massa away every weekend. |
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3 Jul 2009, 09:39 (Ref:2495376) | #4 | |
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What's to say he doesn't relish the competition?
If you go out to compete and try your best but someone else does better, what is the more healthy reaction? To rant, rave, beat yourself up, beat the motorhome up, whinge to the press...etc? Or is to say 'Today, my best wasn't good enough. So be it. Can I have a Magnum?' |
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3 Jul 2009, 09:55 (Ref:2495385) | #5 | ||
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Most of the Finns I met through business activity in the late 80s and early 90s were incredibly pragmatic and could adapt a requirement to what was readily possible (and even improve upon the original idea in doing so) without getting stressed about it. Thus was not so true in some of the Scandinavian countries (and certainly less true even than that in other places!). The Finns would accept the Scandinavian label for example, though in truth 'Nordic' would be a better grouping term. Finnish Finns that I met tended to be more laid back than Finns of Swedish origin, though I suspect that is something of a generalisation. I recall some extended 'entertainment' sessions where words flowed more readily for a time. In fact almost any excuse was acceptable for a call to party. My largest client project team in Helsinki was a pleasure to work with over an extended period and contained quite a few with similar demeanour to KR's, at least in public. In private things could change. In practice they all cared about the tasks to be completed but did so more collectively than other teams from other countries that were, in theory at least, part of the same multi-national project. Makes it quite tricky to 'read' the unspoken messages though ... |
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3 Jul 2009, 10:18 (Ref:2495394) | #6 | |||
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3 Jul 2009, 10:24 (Ref:2495396) | #7 | |
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3 Jul 2009, 10:43 (Ref:2495404) | #8 | ||
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It is astonishing how changing circumstances change the relative performance of team mates - when Honda were struggling, there was not much between Button and Barrichello, now they both drive a good car there's quite a gap, possibly reflecting racecraft more than outright speed. Maybe it's the same with Kimi and Massa - both are struggling with the car, both are good drivers, but they don't have the equipment to pull off anything special and to show how good they really are?
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3 Jul 2009, 11:02 (Ref:2495413) | #9 | ||
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its a shame really as we have seen the Champ from Finland more than once drive beautifully and flawlessly and even crack a smile of joy. but his unnerving flat is always aken for something else.
he wanted to be champ he is in the history books, a lot of champs leave after the pinnacle, its okay. but his disgust in the relatively craptastic ferrari now is apparent and he has said it, he can win a title again i am sure. but the marenello boys may want to split the champinoship for massa, after all his emotionalty makes him the more loveable one in italy i think |
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3 Jul 2009, 16:53 (Ref:2495562) | #10 | |||
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Most people don't make the effort to understand Kimi, which is partly understandable because you do have to make a bigger effort with him than probably any other driver, but the reality is far different from the general perception.
Back in September 2008 F1 Racing had the longest and best interview with him that I have ever read. Not surprisingly perhaps, it was written by another Finn, Heikki Culta, and it really opened up the real Kimi. If you have a copy tucked away somewhere, dig it out and have a read. I can't possibly quote the whole article, but here's a sample: Quote:
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3 Jul 2009, 17:47 (Ref:2495583) | #11 | |
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I think he's easily the most interesting personality on the grid. He's something of a favourite of mine, really. Though I'm still not certain he'll stick around in F1 for long.
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3 Jul 2009, 20:38 (Ref:2495620) | #12 | ||
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I take all this Finnish type or Finnish mind as a huge generalisation... it does go back in time and see one Mika Hakkinen breaking down like any other regular guy, that time in Monza, I think, and see how it varies from one person to another.
SH was spot on Kimi's mentality, and I have to say, it's a very good one mentality. Through my life, I had a few friends, maybe two, like that, it seemed impossible that something would disturb them to the to point that they would... care. And much to my surprise they were always right, they always got along nicely while most of us were wasting our brains in foolish expectations and agony. I guess those guys truly know the way to live better. |
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3 Jul 2009, 20:40 (Ref:2495622) | #13 | ||
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4 Jul 2009, 01:22 (Ref:2495675) | #14 | ||
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(i was going to post a reply in the other thread, in response to a suggestion that kimi is un-professional, but i think it's probably more relevant to this thread [maybe]...)
i think kimi doesnt tend to be too emotional about his decisions, and some see that as being disinterested. but i cant remember a race in the recent few seasons when he hasnt turned up with his race head on. that, to me, is professionalism. He has a clear focus of driving as fast as he can, and that is his contribution. He doesnt tend to interfere with the designers or mechanics and tell them how to do their job, as he sees a clear distinction between them doing their job, and him driving. Fair enough i think. Sure, sometimes he has had disappointing results, mainly because we have seen his best, and it is sublime. But even supremely talented people can have periods where it doesnt come together for them, or their form slumps and not necessarily because they're dis-interested... however, i do fear that he is looking for a fresh challenge, and that may lie outside of f1. But we are running short of "true racers" on the f1 grid, and it would be a far poorer place without him. |
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4 Jul 2009, 07:15 (Ref:2495708) | #15 | |||
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4 Jul 2009, 12:41 (Ref:2495765) | #16 | ||
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Frankly in this PR dominated age i think Kimi has the right idea. He can't say what he wants to (all drivers interviews are recorded by the PR person just incase they stray off message) so he says nothing much at all. Anyway for a Finn he has a big personality !!!
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5 Jul 2009, 13:25 (Ref:2496103) | #17 | |||
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Edited to add: I just notice that this is my 100th post on this forum, after nearly five years of membership and nearly as many more of lurking, which must make me more taciturn than Raikkönen if that is possible! Anyway, it seems to be a good thread to have my 100th post in ... |
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10 Jul 2009, 01:25 (Ref:2498726) | #18 | |||
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11 Jul 2009, 15:37 (Ref:2499519) | #19 | ||
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