One of the most intriguing team driver line-ups ever seen in the WRC will debut on the forthcoming Rally Sweden, when one of world rallying’s brightest young stars, Sebastien Ogier, pairs up with former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen at the Citroen Junior Team. And in contrast to a low-key, learning year in 2009, the team's inaugural WRC season, this year's blend of upcoming talent and frenzied media interest is sure to keep Citroen's 'B' team in the spotlight.
In 2009 Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia lived up to their billing as stars of the future in their first full season at the wheel of a Citroen C4 WRC, and they start the 2010 season with the same motivation - and a year’s worth of extra experience under their belts. “I just can’t wait to start driving the Citroen C4 WRC in the heat of competition again,” said the Frenchman. “It seems a very long time now since the 2009 season ended!”
Having contested the Monte Carlo Rally at the start of the year, Ogier was in Finland last month to prepare for Rally Sweden with a day of testing close to Rovaniemi. “We covered around 200 kilometres in order to get to grips with the car again and work on the set-up of the car,” he reported. “I’m very pleased with the way that the car is handling. I quickly felt comfortable again and I love driving in these conditions.”
Rally Sweden will be a brand new experience for Ogier. Nonetheless, he hopes to put the experience he gained on Rally Norway last year to good use. “Actually, we’re getting rather used to driving on rallies for the first time,” added Sebastien. “I hope that we can show what we are capable against what is always very strong opposition on these winter rallies. Our objective on this first event of the year is just to continue to progress.”
Making his debut alongside the 2008 Junior World Rally Champions is Kimi Raikkonen, who, after 18 Grand Prix wins and 62 podiums, becomes the only former F1 World Champion to make the switch to rallying.
Following some test sessions in France and a run on the Arctic Lapland Rally last month, Raikkonen has covered nearly 600 kilometres with the Citroen C4 WRC. “I’m just really keen to get to the start of Rally Sweden now,” he said. “With Citroen, we have made some good preparations for this event. All the kilometres I already have behind me will allow me to begin the rally with no particular worries. I know that I still have many things to learn though and plenty of experience to accumulate.
"My goal is simply to do my best with the Citroën C4 WRC. My debut in the World Rally Championship is an enormous challenge but any driver who has competed in motorsport at a certain level always maintains the same way of working and the same desire to push themselves. I feel that I’m ready to take on this challenge now.”
Citroen Junior Team manager, Benoit Nogier, explained that he had different goals for his two drivers this season. "We’re hoping that Sebastien starts in the same way that he finished 2009, with the same commitment, hard work and speed. In due course he should be in a position to finish on the podium. The final few steps are always the most difficult ones to take though - and this is a fact that both he and ourselves are well aware of. Nevertheless, this is the target we need to bear in mind for him throughout the season.
"As for Kimi, he’s obviously just starting. So his goal is simply to make progress on each rally. Kimi is taking his first steps in the sport and there is a steep learning curve for him to climb. But his natural talent behind the wheel clearly needs no introduction!"
Source: WRC
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