The first and last authorized book on F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen
Author: Kari Hotakainen
Finnish original: Tuntematon Kimi Räikkönen
Publisher: Siltala, 2018
Genre: non-fiction
Number of pages: 250 pp. plus photo appendix
Reading material: Finnish original, English translation
Rights sold: Complex Chinese (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau), Forever Fast Racing Sports; Simplified Chinese, Shanghai People’s Publishing House; Czech, Timy Partners; World English, Simon & Schuster UK; Estonian, Koolibri; German, Bastei Lübbe; Hungarian, Helikon; Italian, Minerva; Japanese, San-Ei Shobo; Netherlands, Uitgeverij Q; Russian, AST; Serbian, Infinity Lighthouse; Slovakian, Ikar; Swedish, Förlaget M; Turkish, Fihrist Kitap; Vietnamese, Tre Publishing
What does a normally silent man talk about? What does he think, a man whom many people have heard about but few really know? The Unknown Kimi Räikkönen is the story of a man of humble origins, who made his way to the top of an unusual profession. In this book we hear, apart from Kimi himself, from his mother, brother, wife and trusted friends. Others have their say, too: drivers, team bosses, mechanics, his physiotherapist, his manager, and an ordinary Formula 1 fan. The book tells about Kimi’s driving, family, trust, leisure, and the dramatic moments of his life up to now. The story in the making is going to be fantastic, humorous and moving, and will also open up a breathtaking world for those with no interest in motor sport.
Kimi Räikkönen (b. 1979) is a Finnish Formula One racing driver. He is famous not only for winning the World Championship and being one of the fastest drivers in the sport, but also for his dislike of media buzz, of his blunt one-liners, and of his dark sense of humor.
‘It would be brilliant to drive in Formula 1 incognito,’ Kimi says, and I can confirm that this first sentence is on record in my dictaphone. And when he says it, Kimi knows that no such world exists or will ever exist. ‘It’s possible to move a razor, or drive a lawnmower incognito, but not a racing car worth seven million euros.’ (an extract from the manuscript)
About the author
Kari Hotakainen