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ABU DHABI, UAE - Kimi Raikkonen returned to the winner's podium stop in Abu Dhabi in his inimitable style.
Once derided for being robotic and shy, Raikkonen (2007 F1 World champion) is now widely loved for being 'The Iceman' - a nickname coined by the news media but now tattooed with pride on the Lotus driver's forearm.
At the Yas Marina circuit, he scolded his engineer mid-race for speaking about the gap to second place. Raikkonen said: "Just leave me alone. I know what I'm doing."
'NOTHING TO JUMP ABOUT'
Afterwards, he was asked on the podium by his former McLaren team mate David Coulthard to let the world in on his emotions. Raikkonen commented: "Not much, really. Last time you guys (the media) were giving me shit because I didn't smile enough, so maybe this time (you will) again."
He told another reporter: "Like I said, I'm happy, but there's nothing to jump around about."
Asked "how many days" he would 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."
When told his win was the first time a Lotus had won a Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna in 1987, Raikkonen said: "It's a name. It's the same team since Fernando (Alonso) was there (as Renault), just under 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."
Once derided for being robotic and shy, Raikkonen (2007 F1 World champion) is now widely loved for being 'The Iceman' - a nickname coined by the news media but now tattooed with pride on the Lotus driver's forearm.
At the Yas Marina circuit, he scolded his engineer mid-race for speaking about the gap to second place. Raikkonen said: "Just leave me alone. I know what I'm doing."
'NOTHING TO JUMP ABOUT'
Afterwards, he was asked on the podium by his former McLaren team mate David Coulthard to let the world in on his emotions. Raikkonen commented: "Not much, really. Last time you guys (the media) were giving me shit because I didn't smile enough, so maybe this time (you will) again."
He told another reporter: "Like I said, I'm happy, but there's nothing to jump around about."
Asked "how many days" he would 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."
When told his win was the first time a Lotus had won a Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna in 1987, Raikkonen said: "It's a name. It's the same team since Fernando (Alonso) was there (as Renault), just under 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."