19/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Kimi Raikkonen admits that the main reason for leaving Lotus was that he hadn't been paid.
Ironically, the publicity shy Finn was centre stage today, his first press conference since it was officially confirmed that he was rejoining Ferrari for 2014.
Asked why he was leaving Lotus, the team that brought him back to the sport, after two seasons, Raikkonen didn't pull any punches.
"I like to race, that's the only reason I am here," he said. "But the reason I have left the team is purely from the money side... I haven't got my salary."
To Pitpass regulars this won't come as a surprise, for despite the press releases and denials from Eric Boullier and Gerard Lopez the team is in financial trouble.
Other than his wages, Raikkonen, were he to stay with Lotus, wanted assurances that the team could provide a competitive car, however, without money, that wouldn't be possible. The Finn insists that all along he made the team aware what was needed to keep him on board.
"There were a lot of things and for sure they know what it is," he said. "It's hard to say which way it would have gone if that would have happened, but the deal with Ferrari is done now and I'm very happy we've done a deal."
Asked about the potential for friction with his fiery new teammate, the Iceman was as cool as ever.
"I don't see the reason why it wouldn't work," he said. "We are old enough to know what we are doing and the team is working for the right things to make sure. If there is something I'm sure we can talk it through. It's not like we are 20-year-olds anymore. I might be wrong, time will tell, but I'm pretty sure all things will be good.
"For sure, there will be hard fights on the race circuits, and sometimes things go wrong," he added with a faint grin, "but I'm sure we will be okay.
"I know the team, I know the people," he added, referring to the fact that he is returning to an outfit that dumped him in favour of the man he will now partner. "Obviously there are some new people and some more have left since I was there. I don't think it will be too difficult to go there and do well. The cars will be obviously different and so I think that's the most difficult thing, to get the cars right, and get them running reliably. Whoever makes the best car will probably make the best out of it."
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