I never lost the passion for Formula One: Raikkonen

Former world champion excited at comeback, insists he is fully motivated.

VIRY-CHATILLON: Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who is making a comeback to Formula One after two years, has said his passion for the sport remained undimmed during his time away from it.

Raikkonen, who will be racing for Lotus Renault GP in 2012, said he was thrilled to be back.

“I wouldn’t have come back if I wasn’t motivated,” declared the Finn, whose motivation was increasingly questioned during his time at Ferrari after he had won the championship in 2007. “There’s always talk about motivation but nobody really knows what I do or what I think apart from myself so I don’t really care about what people say. But I’m happy to be coming back.”

Raikkonen has spent the past two years competing in the world rally championship and also trying his hand at Nascar in the US.

“When I did Nascar races, I noticed that I was increasingly missing the racing side – to race against each other – because in rallying you really race against the clock. I wouldn’t put my name onto a contract if I didn’t think I’d really enjoy it, so it’ll be interesting and exciting to get back.”

Won’t take anything for granted in 2012: Vettel

Meanwhile, Formula One double  world champion Sebastian Vettel has declared he will not be taking anything for granted in 2012 when he bids for a third successive crown.

The 24-year-old, who became the sport’s youngest back-to-back world champion when he reclaimed his title in Japan, said he was still conscious of where his career began.

“We don’t know what awaits us in 2012,” said Vettel, who was visiting his team Red Bull’s engine suppliers Renault factory to thank the staff. “There are no guarantees. Maybe next year we’ll just be challenging for points. I never take anything for granted.

“It wasn’t so long ago I was driving a Toro Rosso. I was starting races 18th on the grid and if I finished 16th after a superb race, that didn’t interest anyone. You can’t forget where you came from.”

However, the German still had the title very much in
his sights.

“The title is the target. But I’m racing against the best drivers in the world. If I get beaten you have to ensure that the next time you have to reverse the scenario.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2011.