The 30-year-old Finn's pace on the asphalt event was better than anything he has shown since switching from Formula 1 to the World Rally Championship during the winter. Fifth midway through the opening day (albeit still behind the other four Citroen C4 WRCs in the event), the Citroen Junior Team driver was, around 17s per stage slower than Sebastien Loeb.
By contrast, on the previous rally in Portugal, Raikkonen was over 34s per stage slower than the six-time World Champion - and those were shorter stages too; a favourable comparison and a sign of genuine progress on his part.
Split times from the stage on which the Finn crashed showed that he was actually quicker than Loeb during the opening two sectors, and was within 5s when the crash occurred.
Such progress will have given the 2007 F1 World Champion a great deal of heart; rival team bosses even tipped him for a podium finish after his pace on the early stages.
Raikkonen, who climbed a spot to 30th in the Castrol Rankings eventually came home 11th in the event after re-starting under Superally rules on the second day.
After only switching from F1 to the WRC last winter, the Citroen Junior Team driver has taken some time to bed in. A maiden points finish in Jordan and a career-best fifth place in Portugal have been proof of his improving form on the loose surfaces.
It is on asphalt though, if anywhere, where the iceman will really shine. Three of the last six rallies of the year are on sealed surfaces too. The rest had better watch out.
Source: castroldriverankings
Courtesy: _TaniaS_
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