Germany’s round of the World Rally Championship is like no other. All three days of the event have a completely different character, which is not surprising as the event is made up of three old national events rolled up into one World Championship rally.Day one is tight and twisty, through the vineyards that flank the Mosel River. One slip and the drivers are suddenly into the scenery, making their own Riesling. Day two is held over the fearsome Baumholder military ranges, using concrete roads that were originally designed for testing tanks. Finally, day three on Sunday is quicker and more flowing: some say that it even comes close to approaching normality.
After the opening day, we caught up with Kimi to find out his take on Germany, asphalt roads and the country’s most famous product…
How was the opening day of the Rallye Deutschland?
Kimi Räikkönen: It wasn’t easy, but I always knew that Germany was going to be tough: for sure the most difficult one of all the asphalt rallies. I think that’s mostly because every day is so different, so instead of just learning one rally, you are basically learning three rallies. But it’s all useful to get experience and we’ve ended the first day eighth, which is not too bad.
What’s been the most difficult thing about the opening day?
KR: I think it’s been that we’re running really far down the order, eighth place, so we had to face a lot of really dirty roads, with stones and gravel where the cars in front had been cutting the corners. This means that you have a very slippery surface right in the braking zones, which doesn’t help to build up your confidence.
So it’s not like the asphalt that you get on a racing circuit?
KR: No, in some places it’s more like the asphalt that you get in a gravel trap…
Sebastien Loeb has won here ever since Germany became part of the World Rally Championship. What is his secret?
KR: I don’t know. If I knew, I’d be doing it myself! But I suppose he just knows the car and the roads very well. It’s more or less a home event for him. But his performance here is really impressive; I don’t think anyone can touch him…
So what’s the plan for the rest of the Rallye Deutschland?
KR: We’re going to basically carry on what we’ve been doing, but try to get a little quicker as well. I want to get to the point where we can increase our speed without taking any extra risks. So far we’ve not made any mistakes and it would be really good if we could get to the end in the same way. Maybe it’s not the most exciting way to drive a rally, but it’s what we need to do.
Have you tried Germany’s most famous products yet: beer and sausages?
KR: I’ve had the sausages. The beer can wait until after the rally. And I’m sure it will taste even better if we have something to celebrate…
Source: Red Bull
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