Planet-F1

Kimi grilled about his drinking ways

Friday 14th March 2008

Kimi Raikkonen is making no bones about who he is after being publicly questioned over his drinking by an Aussie journalist in Melbourne on Thursday.

"Binge-drinking is a very topical issue at the moment in Australia," a local journalist told the World Champ during the opening FIA press conference.

"You are renowned for liking a drink. How do you manage that within the demands of being an F1 racing driver?"

The Finn didn't try to dodge the question, conceding that yes he does enjoy a pint or two.

"I live as I've always been living," he said. "Like any of my people, I like to go out. I don't see any problems with it."

His interrogator, though, didn't let it rest wanting to know more about Kimi's drinking habits. "So how do you manage it? Do you abstain during the race season and then hit it hard at the end?"

The Champ, however, rose to the challenge, saying as he always has: "I do what I want.

"I'm not responsible for telling people what I do off the racing track. I don't need to explain it. So far it seems to be working pretty well, so there is no reason to change it."