Kimi Raikkonen, former Formula One world champion, is now driving forthe French automobile company Citroen in the World Rally Championship.
The Finn told DNA in an interview on email that he is enjoying the
challenge of being a rally driver. Excerpts:
What will it take to succeed in rallying?
KR: Time and experience. There is a lot to get used to, especially things
like making the pace notes.
Have you made any adjustment to your driving style and approach towards
racing to suit the needs of WRC?
KR: Yes, of course; you have to change everything as rallying is completely
different to circuit racing. It is a whole new driving style with
nothing in common with Formula 1 – apart from maybe a steering wheel.
What will be your objective for the 2010 WRC season?
KR: I don’t have any particular objectives; I just want to do my best and
learn a bit more about the rally world in order to be competitive.
What will it be like to race against WRC legends like Sebastian Loeb?
KR: I think it will be a lot of fun. But throughout my career, I’ve been
used to competing against top drivers, so this is just part of
motorsport for me. You always want to be measured against the best
people.
What was your reason for quitting Formula One and joining WRC?
KR: I had some possibilities to carry on in Formula 1, but I decided to go
rallying as it has always been something that has interested me, right
from when I was a kid.
Will you come back to Formula One, or you are done with it?
KR: I’m not sure what my plans for the future will be yet. I’m still at the
stage of my first world championship rally this year, so I need time to
get used to this environment and decide what I want to do. It’s too
early to think about that yet. For now I just want to concentrate on my
current challenge. Then later in the year I will think about the future.
What’s the secret behind Finland producing so many great drivers, be it
in Formula One or the WRC?
KR: I don’t really know, maybe it’s because we are used to driving on gravel
roads or snow and ice from a young age. But to tell you the truth, I
don’t know; for me it is something that comes quite naturally.
Are you satisfied with what you have achieved in Formula One? Do you
wish you had won more titles?
KR: As a driver you are never really happy as you always want to achieve
more, but I am satisfied that I did my best and did a good job.
What is your view on Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One?
KR: Obviously it is something he wanted to do and good luck to him. But it
is nothing to do with me, I am concentrating on my own challenges this
year.
WRC: Kimi
Raikkonen’s steep learning curve
Source: auto123.com
The first two rounds of the World Rally Championship proved to be a real
challenge indeed for rookie driver Kimi Raikkonen, the former Formula 1
World Champion.
The Finn made a risqué move by leaving Formula 1 to try his luck in the
WRC with Citroen Junior Team with the Red Bull sponsorship.
During the Arctic Lapland Rally, he hit a tree and finished well behind
the leaders. Then, at Rally Sweden (opening round of the WRC), he bumped
into a snow bank and again lost significant time.
The Corona Rally Mexico (Round 2 of the WRC) was even worse. Near the
end of the race on Day 1, Raikkonen made a severe exit that turned into a
horrifying series of rolls.
Fortunately, both he and his co-driver Kaj Lindström came out uninjured.
However, the same could not be said of the car, which was totally
destroyed.
But let’s hold off any harsh judgment on Raikkonen, who boldly did what
most other drivers wouldn’t dare try — having nothing left to prove in
F1 after a glorious career that began with a surprising move from
Formula Renault to Formula 1 with McLaren in 2001 and culminated with a
world championship at Ferrari in 2007 (his first season with the
Scuderia), he decided to completely reinvent himself and take up a whole
new challenge.
Don’t forget that other WRC drivers all took the long, "classic" road to
where they are now. They learned the rally ropes over many trials and
errors at regional, national and international levels. Raikkonen came in
with virtually no rally background whatsoever despite his innate sense
of speed and direction. He barely got time to test the C4. In fact, the
testing session prior to Mexico had to be cancelled because he was
complaining of back pains that resulted from his times in F1.
Raikkonen’s early results should definitely not cast a shadow over his
first WRC season. All seem to agree that he has progressed a lot since
the first round in Sweden and he was doing well in Mexico before that
spectacular loss of control forced him to quit.
A year ago, Sébastien Loeb got caught in a similar situation while
tackling a tortuous descent and, just like Raikkonen, his Citroen C4
went flying and rolled over.
The kid sure likes to go fast, but he has to find his limit. The crash
in Mexico will teach him a lesson and, while he’s not the kind of driver
who minds heavy pressure on his shoulders, he has his work cut out for
him. His teammate Sébastien Ogier, who finished third in the last race,
is considered by many to be the heir to Sébastien Loeb.
Raikkonen needs to make his mark. Let’s just give him a little time.
FUCK ISRAEL 
Those who knows Rally & F1 will would definately choose not to comment to much on what Kimi’s early result in Rally beacuase we know these the difference. He definately needs lots of driving experience & learning in Rally. Kimi keep it up, you are doing quite will 🙂 🙂 Keep pushing, just like what you did (don’t need to think about what would be the result each race) We are with you 🙂
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I agree Yuss :)TaniaS translated this article, about comments from Luca Baldisserri:http://club.quotidianonet.ilsole24ore.com/turrini/una_notte_con_il_baldo—————— ME AND KIMI 1: Listen, once upon a time when Raikkonen was already here with us, Sch. came close to me and told me: "Look at the telemetry, there are some curves that Kimi does in an incredible way, only him is able to do that." So, there is no question about the Finnish, as a driver, he has an extraordinary talent.- ME AND KIMI 2: In my opionion, after he won the 2007 title, he gave up a little bit. He was satisfied, he reached the dream of his life. I don’t say he had no motivation, but some motivations became weaker. More, in 2008 he was unlucky: in Montreal Hamilton crashed on him, in Silverstone I made a stupid mistake with the tyres and he lost points because of me, in France he was winning without the exhausted problem.- ME AND KIMI 3: For sure he didn’t help himself, inside the team. He’s a good guy, but he spoke to Stella only. Even in 2007, when Dyer was his race engineer, Kimi just spoke with his car engineer, Stella! I don’t know, he has a very particular character. But I repeat, there is no question about him as a driver.- ME AND KIMI 4: In my opinion he doesn’t come back in F1, anymore. He’s enjoying with rallies, now he has other in his mind. I don’t see him in F1 in 2011. He hasn’t got the same Sch.’s obsessions.—————–
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It amazes me how many idiots our out there, one of the greatest rally drivers of all time Colin McRae (R.I.P) crashed a hell of a lot when he was starting out and throughout his career. Not saying that Kimi will be as good as him but with any rookie in rallying its inevitable he will suffer accidents. It doesn’t automatically mean he won’t make it or isn’t any good. He clearly has the potential, just look at some of the times he posted. That being said, imo, he does need a positive finish in Jordan. A good debut from the other rookie as well, and a great performance from Kimi’s team mate
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Kimi is progressing after every race…..He’s a really brave driver….Hats off kimi !!!
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Kimi, we miss you in Bahrain today! Its just not the same without you!
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Suzette, I was about to post the same, I just kept looking at the driver´s list with a sense of ¨something is missing here!!!¨ I know he is having a blast now in WRC, but can`t help to miss him in F1!!
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Kimi would be doing better than Alonso……Kimi Would be the favourite this season…..i feel so weird thinking what if kimi was still there with ferrari….he would be the man to beat……
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