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The Circuit

Raikkonen shows drivers how to relax

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  • World champion sheds dull image on the track with gorilla-suit antics
  • Massa spends spare time watching movies and shopping
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By Glen Scanlon
For CNN
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Kimi Raikkonen has entered a jetboat race dressed as a gorilla under the name of deceased Formula One legend James Hunt, Felipe Massa goes shopping for watches and Lewis Hamilton loves listening to Chaka Demus & Pliers.

Kimi Raikkonen

Ferrari's world champion driver Kimi Raikkonen is renowned for loving a good party.

When it comes to relaxation, Formula One's drivers prove the old adage that it is different strokes for different folks.

Raikkonen, like Hunt before him, is renowned for his love of a party when not at the wheel.

Often criticized by the media for being dull and lacking a personality, the world champion comes out of his shell away from the track.

He has twice entered motorsport events in Finland using James Hunt as a pseudonym -- the first a snowmobile race last year, which he won by more than 20 seconds, followed by the jetboat race with friends where they donned gorilla suits. The podium eluded them but they did win a prize for the best-dressed crew.

Felipe Massa, Raikkonen's Ferrari team-mate, has more mundane pastimes.

"I think I'm a normal guy," the Brazilian says on his Web site. "When I'm not driving or focused on Formula One, which does not happen very often, I like to listen to music or go to the theatre."

Massa's favorite actor is Robert de Niro.

"The guy is just amazing and I am a fan of all his movies. I love movies talking about the Mob and Mafia."

Massa also dabbles with football, water sports and one of the 21st century's most competitive pursuits -- shopping.

"One of my craziest hobbies is to go shopping," says Massa. "I like to buy clothes and I love watches."

He should, perhaps, spend more time socially with Raikkonen.

Hamilton likes a bit of cinema too, but music is his passion. The Briton lists De La Soul, 2Pac, Biggie, Sean Paul and Chaka Demus among his favorites and likes to play the guitar.

Like many drivers he also calls going to the gym a hobby and plays squash and tennis.

If he was short a playing partner, he could ask Red Bull's Mark Webber for a match.

The Australian, who enjoys "most outdoor pursuits," has won the annual Formula One Pro-Am tennis tournament in Barcelona three times.

In 2003, he also set up and competed in a 10-day, 1,000km trek, cycle and kayak race across Tasmania to raise funds for child cancer research.

Briton Jenson Button shares Hamilton's love for music but is more of a soft-rock fan.

On his Web site, Button informatively says his iPod features "lots of different stuff."

"From The Eagles through to the Pigeon Detectives. There's a lot of dance music on there as well."

He admits to being hopeless in the kitchen.

"The best thing I ever cooked was a broccoli and stilton soup and I know it was excellent because my mum told me so. I can't cook."

Still, it is nice he is close to his mum.

Fernando Alonso is keen on performing magic tricks, which could be handy as he will need some to win a grand prix this season.

Meanwhile his boss, Flavio Briatore, and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone are spending their spare time and money on English football club Queen's Park Rangers.

The pair bought into the sport last November when QPR were languishing at the foot of the Championship, the division below the Premier League. The club has won only one major trophy -- the 1967 League Cup.

Some hobbies are more like hard work. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

All About Kimi RaikkonenFelipe MassaRobert De NiroLewis HamiltonMark WebberJenson ButtonFernando AlonsoFlavio BriatoreBernie EcclestoneQueens Park Rangers FC

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