Kimi Raikkonen vs Paul-Henri Cahier
Lewis Hamilton had a heated verbal exchange with a journalist at Interlagos last year. Now Kimi Raikkonen has felled a photographer at the British Grand Prix:
What was all that about?
The man Raikkonen pushed to the ground was Paul-Henri Cahier, a well-respected photographer who’s been taking pictures at F1 races for decades. Take a look at some of his brilliant pictures from Silverstone at Grandprix.com.
Cahier put up this statement on his website explaining his version of events and addressing any suggestions that he might have provoked Raikkonen:
Following the incident involving Kimi Raikkonen and Paul-Henri Cahier on the starting grid of the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, that saw the finnish driver assault the photographer, we decided that it was necessary to clarify a few points.
There never was any contact between the two men, nor did Paul-Henri ever touch Kimi’s equipment. Furthermore, the distance at which Paul-Henri Cahier was taking a picture, although close, was completely standard. The photographers who take pictures at Grand Prix races are all professionnals who have been accredited by the FIA, and as the dozen other photographers who were standing next to Paul-Henri Cahier prove, there was nothing unusual or unethical about this situation.
Finally, Paul-Henri Cahier has been an F1 photographer for almost fourty years and has been close to the greatest champions, but none of them has ever behaved in such a rude manner. It is understandable that drivers might get irritable because of the pressure they undergo, but Kimi Raikkonen never even attempted to express his discontent in a non violent way. Paul-Henri Cahier luckily did not suffer any injury, and so does not intend to take any action, but he regrets the arrogance with which Kimi Raikkonen treated someone who was merely doing his job.
Kimi Raikkonen has not made any mention of the incident as far as I am aware.
F1Fan said on 9th July 2008, 2:00
I agree w/ mike collins. Photographers and paparrazzi simply get too close. Ask Al-Fayed Sr.
Shane said on 9th July 2008, 2:40
http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pbri08/sun/raikkonen1-lg.jpg
This is one of the in his face pictures, too close?
Oliver said on 9th July 2008, 3:22
Looking at the video, the photographer would have been at least 3feet away from Kimi, because Kimi even had to lean forward to push him away. I think the poor photographer may have hit the tip of the umbrella provoking Kimi’s action. But without doubt, he should be admonished, and I mean Kimi.
Gman said on 9th July 2008, 4:33
Matthew, as a fellow student of communications, I can understand your comment and very much agree with your remakrs. Just one thing- we all know Kimi likes to party, but I highly doubt he had any sort of hangover before that or any other GP. He lives the life, but he’s dead serious when it comes to the racing.
Looking at it from Kimi’s perspective, perhaps he saw the grass behind him and just thought the shove was good-natured fun. Or, if there was some anger, he thought the guy would not be seriously injured. It’s far from the biggest injustice in the sport, but Kimi would be wise to issue a simple apology.
For any of my fellow Americans on here, it reminds me quite a bit of Kenny Rogers(the MLB pitcher, not the country singer)assaulting the cameraman a few years back when he was with Texas…the main difference is Kimi diden’t have the height advantage to intimidate the cameraman!!!
Lustigson said on 9th July 2008, 7:26
It’s simple: this stuff just happens in a pressure cooker that the Sunday grid is.
DG said on 9th July 2008, 8:27
Hmmmm, the Iceman losing his cool? Showing a bit of emotion? No, there won’t be an apology from that direction – just a FIA directive making it impossible for the photographers to do their job!
We are lucky Max is distracted at the moment or we would be getting an earful from him about it too….
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 9th July 2008, 8:55
I’ve been around races a bit and from looking at this video Cahier didn’t get any closer than I’ve seen other photographers doing. It looks like Raikkonen didn’t realise Cahier was there when he turned round. It might even be forgivable that he pushed the guy over as an instictive reaction. But to then ignore him and not apologise after is very poor. I think there would be a lot more vitriol spouted about this if the driver in question was Lewis Hamilton…
cgmasson said on 9th July 2008, 9:08
In the UK, for sure but part of that would be because it would be in such contrast the high controlled media image that is being pursued by camp Hamilton.
Kimi has always had a bit of ‘**** you’ attitude so it isn’t seen as news worthy. Unfair, on a personal level, maybe.
Michael K said on 9th July 2008, 9:15
I don’t know why you are missing the point, Monsieur Cahier stepped on Kimi’s bag, which you can clearly see in the video. Kimi reacted to that by pushing him away. Who knows what is in the bag, etc.. Maybe a harsh reaction, but I would’ve reacted the same way if some idiot can’t watch where he’s going and steps on my stuff doesn’t apologize and just keeps pushing his lens into my face. No apology needed, it happened and maybe the super-photographer watches where he steps next time when he’s around people.
Johnny said on 9th July 2008, 9:33
I think it’s pretty clear that he did step on Kimi’s stuff since Mark Arnall is already yelling at him before Kimi takes him down. Still an overreaction from Kimi, but he’s preparing for the race and we already know he dislikes photographers…
I’d say it’s a case of wrong place at the wrong time.
Jean said on 9th July 2008, 10:34
To me it looks very much like Cahier steps on the bag which was right in front of Kimi’s feet , showing he was far too close already. Kimi then pushes him away , in a move which clearly is done to get his feet off the bag , but then unfortunately Cahier loses his balance and falls. I don’t think Kimi is the sort of bloke to harm someone deliberately – or else he would have probably had a go at Hamilton after the Montreal episode.
Terry Fabulous said on 9th July 2008, 11:08
Kimi needs to pull his head in. It is NEVER acceptable to push people around to get what they want.
I agree, imagine the hoo haa if Lewis had done this.
What a Wayne Kerr
Abhishek said on 9th July 2008, 11:26
Kimi must really be frustated because of last few results and these kind of things is a result of this frustation. He should never-the-less apologize.
Jolene said on 9th July 2008, 12:09
Keith,you are spot on. If it had been Lewis the discussion would now be about how typically immature and frustrated Lewis’ actions are but now that its Kimi, it must be swept under the carpet as one of those things.As fans of the sport we should never condone such behaviour from drivers,no matter who they are.
KB said on 9th July 2008, 12:44
Must every story be about LH, even when its not…get real