Kimi Raikkonen says the disagreement with Ron Dennis, the team’s representative for the McLaren F1 team, was widely discussed at the time, but it was actually a positive relationship.
Ron Dennis was the CEO of the team when Kimi Raikkonen joined the McLaren F1 in 2002. Raikkonen belonged to the McLaren F1 until 2006, during which time Ron Dennis’ undisciplined behavior on and off the course drew a lot of attention.
Kimi Raikkonen thinks most of his relationship with Ron Dennis was positive, even though he “did not agree with everything.”
“I think it was a good relationship,” Kimi Raikkonen told Beyondn The Grid.
“Of course, there were many remarks and articles about the matter, but I think it wasn’t bad internally.”
“I think we had a good relationship. Of course, there are some things we didn’t agree with, but that’s what it is.”
Kimi Raikkonen said he left McLaren after the 2006 F1 season and moved to Ferrari, but he was still on good terms with Ron Dennis after leaving the team.
“Even after I left the team, when I met him on the track, we were talking about things and joking,” Kimi Raikkonen explained.
“Outside I think he’s a lot different than when he’s on the track. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“We have different opinions about certain things, but that’s what they are.”
Kimi Raikkonen experienced a difference in how he worked with McLaren after moving to Ferrari.
Asked about the difference between McLaren and Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen explained, “There is a philosophy, a conference, and of course a language of how to do things.”
“Everyone speaks English at meetings, but nationalities make a difference. Italians are more passionate about certain things than the British team.”
“But that doesn’t mean they’re right or wrong. They all have good and bad things about everything.”
Category: Category: F1 / Kimi Raikkonen / McLaren
