A Top Gear executive has reminisced about the moment he “scolded” Formula One legend Kimi Raikkonen, immediately wondering, “What have I done?!”
The 2007 World Champion appeared on the popular BBC show ahead of his second stint in the sport.
A Top Gear executive confronted F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen during an argument while he was on the showCredit: AFPRaikkonen was not particularly impressive during his drive around the Top Gear trackCredit: Getty – Contributor
He left in 2009 but made a comeback three years later with Lotus.
During his break, he also participated in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR Truck Series.
This period saw Raikkonen appear on UK screens, where he conversed with former host Jeremy Clarkson while racing timed laps in the show’s iconic celebrity driving segment.
However, Raikkonen did not make a strong impression behind the wheel.
Due to wet conditions, the Finnish driver couldn't clock a quick time.
Producers were left hoping for the track to dry out.
Yet, Raikkonen showed little interest in returning for another attempt once conditions improved.
This prompted a Top Gear executive to confront the racing star in his trailer.
But as soon as he expressed his frustration towards Raikkonen, he quickly regretted it.
Speaking on the Midweek F1 podcast , former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman stated: “Raikkonen came on the show. Everyone was doing their laps, but it was a wet day for him.
“We thought, ‘Oh, he’s not going to make it’. He replied, ‘Okay’. But we expected him to give it a go because it’s Kimi.
“It was during his return with Lotus. We were all excited, thinking, ‘Oh, we are not worthy. You’re here! You’re here!’
“I went to check with the timer, Nick Dalton, who had the stopwatch. I asked, ‘How’s he doing?’ He responded, ‘Not great.’
“Then he went into his motorhome, saying, ‘I’ve done enough laps now’. He wasn’t unfriendly, but he just remarked, ‘It’s a rainy day’.
“I entered the motorhome after him. He was settled in a Lazy Boy chair, relaxed and stretched out, like Joey from Friends.
“I said, ‘Kimi, it’s drying out now. I can’t tell you your time, but it wasn’t great. We know you can go faster.’
“He replied, ‘No, I can’t’. We insisted, ‘No, Kimi, it’s really dry now.’ I added, ‘If you look out the window, you’ll see it’s definitely getting drier’.
“With noticeable reluctance, he got up to look out the window and said, ‘No, it isn’t’.
“I lost my cool for a moment and scolded him, saying, ‘There are so many people here eager to see your comeback, and it’ll be on you if you don’t do something!’
“Then I thought, ‘What have I done?’ After that, he got out, did a couple more laps, and managed to go a bit faster. But that was the day I reprimanded Kimi.”
What happened during Kimi Raikkonen's appearance on Top Gear?
During his appearance, Raikkonen struggled with the wet conditions and did not achieve a good lap time. A Top Gear executive confronted him in his trailer, expressing frustration, but later regretted the confrontation.
How did Kimi Raikkonen react to the conditions on the track?
Kimi Raikkonen was uninterested in making more attempts after the conditions improved, stating that he had done enough laps and that it was a rainy day.
What did the Top Gear executive say to Kimi Raikkonen?
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A Top Gear executive confronted F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen during an argument while he was on the showCredit: AFP
Raikkonen was not particularly impressive during his drive around the Top Gear trackCredit: Getty – Contributor
