Kimi

[Koz]

Why is he so badly rated by everyone here?

Alost every thread "rating" drivers here get's Kimi on the same leves as guys like Trulli and Barrichello, if not Kovalainen; very rarely someone puts him on the same level as Massa, Alonso or Hamilton?

I remember last year everyone was saying Massa was going to be very bad without TC, and the likes of Kimi and Lewis will excell. But in a year Kimi has gone down in everyone's books.

Admitedly, the only reason he was world champion was because the incompetence of McLaren, and the glory-whoring stupidity of Hamilton in Shanghai. (And some crazy stroke of fortune in Brazil)

Is it because he is/seems so laid back?

[CaptainRaiden]

Probably because this place doesn't have a lot of Kimi fans, or maybe Ferrari fans want another Schumacher and judge Kimi with the same yardstick, which is wrong since no two people are the same. Gee guys, calm down, Schumacher retired 3 years ago and the "glory years" are over. At least be happy that you no longer have to be branded "cheater fans" anymore.

In my humble opinion, Kimi is still the fastest driver out there. Every sport has a temperamental champion. Look at Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker. Probably people go down too harsh on Kimi for not being a perfectionist, but hey, that's how he is. And in 2007, he thoroughly deserved the championship. He didn't cry like a baby (ala Alonso and Hamilton) and just went about his business and racked up the majority, 6 wins, albeit with some inconsistencies because of mechanical failures and brain farts.

Hoping he can get some performance out of the newly updated Ferrari in Spain. Let's see...

[pino]

Why is he so badly rated by everyone here?

... in a year Kimi has gone down in everyone's books.

Not in my book

I’m trying to figure out who's the “best” driver out there at the moment, here's my list :

Alonso
Vettel
Kimi
Hamilton
Massa
Button
Trulli
Webber
Kubica
Glock
Buemi
Rosberg
Heidfeld
Sutil
Kovalainen
Fisichella
Barrichello
Bourdais
Piquet
Nakajima

[DexDexter]

Why is he so badly rated by everyone here?

Alost every thread "rating" drivers here get's Kimi on the same leves as guys like Trulli and Barrichello, if not Kovalainen; very rarely someone puts him on the same level as Massa, Alonso or Hamilton?

I remember last year everyone was saying Massa was going to be very bad without TC, and the likes of Kimi and Lewis will excell. But in a year Kimi has gone down in everyone's books.

Admitedly, the only reason he was world champion was because the incompetence of McLaren, and the glory-whoring stupidity of Hamilton in Shanghai. (And some crazy stroke of fortune in Brazil)

Is it because he is/seems so laid back?

I think there are Kimi fans here.... anyway to answer your question,
Kimi had a bad season last year, that's probably the main reason. Another reason could be that people don't understand him, they judge his character based on their own cultural habits, which are quite different from Kimi's. What they see as lack of enthusiasm is normal behaviour in Finland. For example there is really no "small talk" in Finnish, people usually say things as they are and if there is nothing worthwhile to say, then silence is accepted. Obviously it varies between individuals.

[pettersolberg29]

Not in my book

Yeah but anyone who thins Buemi is better than Heidfeld, Rosberg and Barrichelo doesn't deserve an opinion!

[555-04Q2]

Probably because this place doesn't have a lot of Kimi fans, or maybe Ferrari fans want another Schumacher and judge Kimi with the same yardstick, which is wrong since no two people are the same. Gee guys, calm down, Schumacher retired 3 years ago and the "glory years" are over. At least be happy that you no longer have to be branded "cheater fans" anymore.

In my humble opinion, Kimi is still the fastest driver out there. Every sport has a temperamental champion. Look at Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker. Probably people go down too harsh on Kimi for not being a perfectionist, but hey, that's how he is. And in 2007, he thoroughly deserved the championship. He didn't cry like a baby (ala Alonso and Hamilton) and just went about his business and racked up the majority, 6 wins, albeit with some inconsistencies because of mechanical failures and brain farts.

Hoping he can get some performance out of the newly updated Ferrari in Spain. Let's see...

I dont buy it. Kimi is supposed to be the fastest thing out there, yet he was run closely in 2007 by Massa right up until the last few races. Last year, Massa cleaned him up like a bachelor's second hand blow up doll after a weekend session.

Ferrari (and more specifically their boss Luca) said last year that they are waiting for the real Kimi to come out and play. WTF

Kimi has been in top teams for a long time now and doesnt have much to show for it. A couple of wins and a lucky WDC thanks to a Rookie with a "here's and early Christmas present card".

The word - Kimi - should be entered into the Oxford Dictionary with the following explanation: over-inflated reputation that continues to leave spectators feeling...shortchanged.

[veeten]

Remember how he came in... from F3 with high expectations of being the next Mika Hakkinen.

When hype exceeds results actually attained, it's understandable that many are left somewhat unsatisfied, but then again...

[EuroTroll]

Remember how he came in... from F3 with high expectations of being the next Mika Hakkinen.

When hype exceeds results actually attained, it's understandable that many are left somewhat unsatisfied, but then again...

I don't agree with that. Firstly, he came straight from Formula Renault, on a provisional super-licence, remember?

And then immediately matched Heidfeld at Sauber, and then Coulthard at McLaren. He was magical at McLaren, I think. And if the car hadn't broken down so often...

But nowadays, he just seems disinterested to me. Surely the huge talent is still there, but is the will to win?

[Shifter]

A very fast and fragile McLaren may have fostered an image of Kimi being a bit better than he really is. Fact is, he excels on some circuits but not others. Overall though, he's still a great driver in my book and someone who would be at the top of my list of drivers if I was filling a vacant seat.

Pino - your list is close to mine when future potential is not considered. Just move Trulli below Kubica, Barrichello up past Kovalainen, and Buemi below Heidfeld.

[DexDexter]

Kimi has been in top teams for a long time now and doesnt have much to show for it. A couple of wins and a lucky WDC thanks to a Rookie with a "here's and early Christmas present card".

"A couple of wins"

Wins: 17
Podiums: 57
Pole positions: 16

Second in the World Championship in 2003 (lost to Schumi by 2points) and 2005, WDC 2007.

Yes he was in a way lucky in 2007, but very unlucky in 2005 when he won as many races as Alonso but had reliability problems...luck has a habit of evening out.