Raikkonen Lashes Out At Photographer
Filed Under: F1 News
Raikkonen endured a mare of a race during yesterday’s British Grand Prix as his Ferrari team struggled to adapt their strategy to the changing weather conditions. However, it appears the Finn was frustrated even ahead of the red lights going out.
As the 28 year old exited his F2008 Ferrari after bringing the car to the Silverstone grid, noted photographer Paul-Henri Cahier started to capture images as he removed his helmet. Kimi objected to the attention as the Frenchman used a flash enabled camera just inches from the driver’s face. When Cahier came closer, standing on the Ferrari driver’s race equipment, Raikkonen pushed the photographer over backwards.
It was a heat of the moment reaction, and as such Paul-Henri will not be taking the matter further. However, it does raise the question of how much access the press should have ahead of such an event, as drivers and teams attempt to prepare for races of which Championships and millions of pounds worth of sponsorship rest upon.
Speaking of the encounter to Finnish television station MTV3.fi, Kimi’s manager Steve Robertson was quoted as saying: “This one particular photographer was actually standing on Kimi’s gear, and obviously he’s preparing for the race. He actually touched Kimi, and Kimi is obviously trying to protect himself - you know he’s got his work to do. They should respect the fact that Kimi has got to go out there and race, and not to get too close.”.
Click here to view the confrontation between Raikkonen and Cahier on our forums.
Update Article - Photographer brands Kimi ‘Rude’ and ‘Arrogant’
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- From Photographer brands Kimi ‘Rude’ and ‘Arrogant’ | Forumula1.net - F1 News and Forums | Jul 8, 2008
Fiona Green | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
What kind of message is this sending out to the millions of young fans of Raikkonen and F1. The guy drinks to excess, uses crude language in interviews, and assaults people on the grid. I hate to think what he would have done if he knew he could have gotten away with it. He should be dropped from F1, he’s not worth $30, let alone the $30 million basic he’s getting this year.
Stephen | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Oh please, he’s the current F1 World Champion and he’s in the sport because he can drive, not to win popularity contests.
If you stood two inches from my face, pushed and directed a camera at me, only to then jump all over my stuff - I’d push you over too! I can’t imagine what such a photographer was doing getting so close ahead of such an important race for the Finn.
Trevor | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I’m not condoning this behaviour normally but these sort of people are scum. He was right on top of Kimi just before he was due to race, I probably would have done the same thing. Someone told me that Kimi’s favourite F1 Driver was James Hunt, he was a character just like Kimi. The world needs more characters!!!
Terry | Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
The Ice Man still has the Fire.
Andrew | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
I am with Kimi on that one. And shut up Fiona Green what a stupid comment. I’d have done more than push some one over if they stood on my equipment and were inches away from my face.
I’m guessing Kimi likes his own space, and he has a right to.