Lotus team principal Eric Boullier has described Kimi Raikkonen as “a wild animal” who is allowed a relatively free rein within the team.
Raikkonen’s dislike of public relations and media commitments is renowned, notably during his McLaren days when corporate demands outweighed his time in the car.
Recognising such an issue, and in order to keep the Finn happy, Boullier and Lotus have made a point of not taxing Raikkonen with too much off-track work.
The rewards, in conjunction with a competitive car, are starting to show as in his first season back in Formula One after a two-year break to compete in World Rally, Raikkonen has stepped on to the podium at the last two races.
After finishing second in Bahrain last month and third in Spain on Sunday, the 31-year-old finds himself 12 points adrift of joint leaders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.
Boullier said: “We try to keep politics outside and try to give our drivers what they need.
“We know Kimi doesn’t like PR, doesn’t like media. So, why should we bother him with it?
“Sure we need a balance bet-ween his demands and the re-quests from our sponsors, but he knows we care very much about his schedule and try to minimise his obligations. That’s it.
“He is a racer and hardly cares about the rest. Kimi is like a wild animal and you have to let him run the way he wants to go. We don’t have to tell him what he has to do because he is a professional and we want him to deliver on track first. That is his purpose.”
Boullier, however, has denied 2007 world champion Raikkonen is the team leader ahead of Romain Grosjean, despite the former’s considerable experience over the latter.
“Historically this team has always pushed for one driver – a definite leader,” Boullier added.
“But that has definitely changed. It’s a thing of the past.
“I want two fast drivers because that is the way you get ahead in the constructors’ championship.
“Obviously, Raikkonen, with his experience, tends to have a certain degree of leadership but Romain Grosjean is getting a lot of respect every weekend from the team and the other drivers.
“You must not forget Kimi has done something in the range of 160 grands prix and Romain has just finished his 12th.”