I think thats provocation enough for what happened. Kimi could have done a 100 things differently but he did what he did. I didn’t see him stepping towards the photographer or throwing his equipment around.

For sure he was doing his job, but he was interfering with Kimi’s job by stepping on his carefully-prepared race gear with his wet feet.

If it was any other driver, I’m sure the same sort of thing would happened, if not worse, they get pretty worked up before a race and Kimi was VERY restrained after Lewis whacked him at Canada.

Raikkonen is the current world champion, driving for Ferrari, the current constructers champion. Ferrari are the most successfull team in Formula One history, and Raikkonen is currently the most well paid driver on the Formula One grid.
The point being, ofcourse photographers are going to want to take pictures. End of story!! Why give them want they want?
I like Raikkonen as a driver, but this particular episode has made me look at him in a new light. When Alonso threw tantrums last year, he was criticised for being unprofessional, behaving in a manner unbecoming a world champion. How is Raikkonen’s behaviour any different?
Do that on the streets my good friends, you’ll either get locked up or have the **** kicked out of you.

are you interested in a pass to join us on the wall? nothing special, but you get to meet the drivers and see the cars closeup. this year i spoke to heidfeld, massa, webber and few other whose name i wouldnt like to try and spell.

let me know, and i see what i can do!

will

both parties could have their actions ridiculed, i suppose it depends on one’s point of view and emotional state. both for us (me/you) and for them (kimi/cahier).

Will

Were you on the grid then? Lucky thing!

i was there keith, at silverstone with a vip pass. i saw the whole thing. Cahier was to close. I also feel sorry for him, as his dad just died, but in all fairness, he was to close.

Cahier moved in from the side, stepping ON kimi’s bag, bending down a bit, sticking the long lens directly in kimi’s face. probably 30cm from kimis face. thats not on. Cahier should know the rules.

think of it this way, he was closer than baldie (kimi’s trainer). also, everything was very very wet. Cahier stepped on kimi’s racing gear with his wet feet. again, not on.

it is my opinion that Cahier was wrong. kimi wasnt “right” either, but probably not in a mood to converse with Cahier. so he send him a clear message. after that no-one got so close again and no-one was pushed.

from a legal point of view its simple (and that whay Cahier doesnt want to take it further):
Cahier has the right to be on the grid, but hasnt got the right to enter anyone personal space. he came over to kimi, while kimi was standing still minding his own business. Cahier interfered with kimi’s job, it could be argued that he could have potentially damaged kimis equipment.

will

Does anyone know if *this* is the shot Cahier fired off right as Kimi pushed him?

http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pbri08/sun/raikkonen1-lg.jpg

Becken – I saw, that’s very sad. Don’t imagine this little incident with Raikkonen matters at all to Paul-Henri Cahier now.