Kimi Raikkonen says his victory at the United States Grand Prix “proved some people wrong”, but quipped that “life goes on”, as he ended his drought.
Raikkonen had not triumphed since the season-opening event of 2013, when he was still competing for Lotus, despite racking up regular podium finishes in the meantime.
Raikkonen has largely played second fiddle to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel during his second stint at Ferrari, but ended a 113-race wait for victory at Austin.
It marked his first win with Ferrari since 2009, achieved with just four races remaining before he moves across to Sauber on a two-year deal.
“I’m happy for that, it was a great day to prove some people wrong and having a good race but it doesn’t really change anything for me,” he said.
“It’s just a number. Life goes on.
“I might be getting older but it’s not too bad still. Maybe I’m OK to be [here] a few years more. I enjoy it, so we are here to try to win.
“I always try to do it, but obviously it’s not easy, otherwise anybody could do it.
“So, I think this weekend we have been pretty solid in many ways. I just had a good feeling with the car.
“We’ll see what happens in the next race, but so far it’s been OK. I don’t complain a lot.”
Raikkonen also joked that his young children will probably have little interest in their father triumphing at the Grand Prix.
“They’ve been asking for a while, so they’re more interested in the Pirelli cap than probably the win itself,” he joked.
“I know that we can buy it also but I know it’s not fair play to bring them if I had to buy it!
“I’m not sure if the kids… they probably fall asleep during the race but the wife probably looked at it. I’m more than happy for all of us. It’s nice.”
