Räikkönen craves good luck in Germany

Ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen says a lack of good fortune has held him back on the opening day of ADAC Rallye Deutschland

Räikkönen, who is eighth overnight in the ICE 1 Racing Citroën DS3 WRC he shares with co-driver Kaj Lindström, took the only stage win of his World Rally Championship career to date on the Circus Maximus stage in Germany last year. But he’s yet to enjoy the same kind of success on the Trier-based round in 2011.

“Germany has been a bit unlucky for me so far,” said Räikkönen. “It’s hard to compare it with last year, because the car and the conditions are completely different. This morning I was on the wrong tyres and then in the afternoon I had a spin. But if you take away those things then it would not have been so bad, so I hope we can get better tomorrow.”

Räikkönen lost more than a minute on the rain-hit stage two alone, but revealed that he had come very close to taking the same bold tyre choice as the factory Citroens, with a mixture of hard and soft tyres. In the end he opted for the hard tyres exclusively, leaving him struggling for grip.

“We thought about doing the same; we probably should have done it,” he added. “Sure, it would be hard to know how the car might handle like that as we never tested it, but it probably would have been OK.”

Räikkönen’s best result so far this year is sixth overall in Jordan, which he believes he stands a chance of matching in Germany. “We need to be a bit lucky with that, but the feeling with the car is very good,” he concluded.

The Finn’s only other delay occurred on stage five when he carried too much speed into a right-hand bend and slid into a wooden fence. The impact damaged his driver’s side door, which kept flying open during the stage.

Source: WRC

Räikkönen, Oliveira confirmed for Rally Australia

Following speculation to the contrary, Kimi Räikkönen has now confirmed his presence on next month's Rally Australia - where he will be joined by Daniel Oliveira and the Brazil World Rally Team

Former F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen and the Brazil World Rally Team have both confirmed their presence on next month's Rally Australia – an event that has been billed as the 'Ultimate Dust-Up Down Under'.

There had been speculation that Raikkonen and his ICE 1 Racing Team-prepared Citroën DS3 WRC would not make the trip out to New South Wales' Coffs Coast to participate in the tenth leg of the 2011 World Rally Championship from 8-11 September in its new venue. The Finn has not competed in the country since the 2009 Australian Grand Prix around Melbourne's Albert Park, a race he failed to finish after suffering differential failure.

Meanwhile, the privateer Brazil World Rally Team will fly the flag for the iconic MINI brand on the event, with Daniel Oliveira behind the wheel of the MINI John Cooper Works WRC as part of his three-year driver development programme alongside Portuguese navigator Carlos Magalhaes.

The official Prodrive-run MINI effort is limiting itself to European rounds for its debut WRC campaign, but the David Richards-led operation will nonetheless provide operational and technical support for the Brazil World Rally Team. Rally Australia general manager Michael Masi contends that it will be an event not to be missed.

“The WRC is a dazzling spectacle played out in 13 locations around the globe,” he enthused. “This will be the 21st Rally Australia, but the first time people will be able to see it in this beautiful part of New South Wales. It will be an opportunity for spectators of all kinds to witness the skills of these spectacular drivers and experience all the exciting atmosphere of a world championship contest.

“They're the gravel masters, riding their turbocharged machines from rest to 100km/h in three seconds, racing through the forests at more than 160km/h, jumping and sliding at impossible speeds. Spectators won't have seen anything like it – it's a stunning, unforgettable experience.”

Source: Crash.net

Nogier expects Räikkönen to show more Finland pace

By Giles Wade

Citroën Racing Technologies boss Benoit Nogier expects Kimi Räikkönen to be closer to the leading pace on Rally Finland next week.

Finn Räikkönen is in his second season with the French team under Nogier’s stewardship and will tackle his home round of the world championship for the third time at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC.

“Kimi loves his country and his rally,” said Nogier. “He really enjoyed his two-day test and he got the car to handle to his liking. He has a logical approach. He was his usual self, did not get excited and kept his unflappable calm. The road show will help him to immerse himself in the ambiance of the rally. We hope he’ll drive a consistent race and close the gap to the frontrunners.”

Before Rally Finland gets underway in Jyvaskyla on July 28, Raikkonen and Citroen team leader Sebastien Loeb will take part in the Red Bull Road Show event in the Finnish capital Helsinki tomorrow (Sunday).

Source: MaxRally

Points for Petter Solberg and Kimi Räikkönen

“I pushed really hard and gave it everything I had”

Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson set the early pace in Greece before finishing fourth on the Acropolis Rally, round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship. Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström proved to be increasingly competitive, finally finishing in seventh overall on the event. The two Citroën DS3 WRCs entered by Van Merksteijn Motorsport retired on the opening day of the rally.

Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson have been among the frontrunners since the start of the season, and they were the first to show their true form on the tricky Greek stages. They strung together four fastest stage times to occupy the top of the time sheets by the end of the first day of the Acropolis Rally on Friday.

Petter and Chris established an advantage of more than 50 seconds over the chasing trio that consisted of Sébastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen and Sébastien Ogier, but this consequently forced them into running first on the road throughout Saturday. The loose surface caused the crew some difficulties, but nonetheless the Petter Solberg World Rally Team duo managed to end the day on the provisional podium, just 20 seconds or so off the leaders. Petter Solberg fought against Mikko Hirvonen on the final day to end up fourth at the finish, scoring 12 precious championship points.

“I pushed really hard and gave it everything I had,” said the Norwegian. “I’m pleased with our performance and my driving as well as with the team, who all did a fantastic job. We couldn’t have done better; it just wasn’t possible. We’re a private team and we’re fighting against the factory outfits.”

Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström missed the previous two events, which were not on their programme, but they were soon back into the groove from the very beginning. By the end of the opening day they were 10th despite a puncture. They then picked up their pace throughout Saturday to make progress up the leaderboard and claim seventh place on SS8. The Ice 1 Racing crew showed their consistency to hold onto the position until the end, having managed their rally perfectly.

“We weren’t the quickest out there but our goal was to steer clear of problems in order to be there at the end,” said the Finnish driver. “The final two days in Greece were extremely satisfying. It’s a great result for us before heading to Rally Finland.”

The two Citroën DS3 WRCs entered by Van Merksteijn Motorsport did not make it to the end of the opening day. Peter van Merksteijn Jr went off the road on SS3. His co-driver Eddy Chevaillier was taken to hospital in Lamia and then airlifted to Athens for further medical examination. He has a fracture and a crack in his lumbar vertebrae, which will mean that he needs to be immobilised for about 10 days. The entire Citroën Racing team wishes him a full and swift recovery. Peter van Merskteijn Sr went off the road in the team’s other DS3 WRC on SS5.

Source: Nextgen-Auto
Courtesy: Kriss

Räikkönen: WRC remains my main focus

Former Formula One title winner Kimi Raikkonen says his first commitment remains to the World Rally Championship ahead of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut in Charlotte on 20 May

Räikkönen is in his second season in the WRC, driving a Citroën DS3 WRC for the Ice 1 Racing team. He says he feels his pace is improving all the time - which is why he won’t be distracted by taking part in the oval-based racing series in the United States.

“I wouldn’t be doing any of the racing if it clashed with anything which I’m doing in the WRC,” said the 31-year-old. “The races have been picked because they fit around the rallies I’m doing. It doesn’t matter where I am when I’m not on the rallies. The driving has been better and we’re pushing harder now. My only target really is to improve in the WRC.”

Räikkönen just missed out on equaling his best ever WRC result on the Jordan Rally last month, dropping from fifth to sixth when a puncture cost him time late in the event.

The Finn has impressed mightily on his first NASCAR tests, with superstar American racer and team owner Kyle Busch commenting: “He’s right there, he knows what he’s doing. Kimi is a race driver, so he knows how to drive race cars and drive them well.”

Busch is among America’s most successful NASCAR racers, but Räikkönen, who drove for the Citroën Junior Team last season, matched his pace at a recent test in North Carolina.

“I got into the truck and ran some lap times to see how I compared to where he was on tyres and stuff,” said Busch, “and we ran identical lap times.”

Räikkönen’s next WRC outing is on the Acropolis Rally of Greece, which runs from 16-19 June.

Source: WRC
Courtesy: Sleenster

Räikkönen is now the master of his own rally team

Kimi Räikkönen drives his blackish brand new Citroen DS3 WRC-car as the master of his ICE1 Racing team in Sweden. His mullet is even longer and can't be hidden underneath his big Red Bull -beanie. The speed has improved a bit since last year, now that this new car suits the man's driving style better

Yet Räikkönen says that nothing has changed from last year although his time with Citroen's Junior team ended.

– We did things the same way we did last year. It was better to come up with something and make an own team if I still wanted to drive rally. This was the easiest option, Räikkönen tells.

The model is the same as Petter Solberg's.

You registered to Sweden in the last minute. Was everything put together at the last moment?

– I wouldn't say that anything happened in the last moment, Räikkönen calms.

Was your continuance in rally clear already last autumn?

– No it wasn't but nothing would have changed even if we would have announced during the last race that we will drive this year also. We couldn't have drove any more than we could now because the new cars weren't ready.

Could you aswell had switched to Ford and drove rally with Fiesta?

– I would have got a good car from there too with the same system. There is no difference to last year. It's just easier for me to continue here because I already spent a year with these people.

A bunch of French speaking mechanics from Citroen are working around Räikkönen's car. Nobody outside the factory wouldn't even be allowed to touch the new cars, computers and engines.

Räikkönen keeps his possible goals as his own secret. It would be logical to go for 6th unless Ford has escaped from Citroen.

– Let's drive and see. After that we see how we do.

In Thursday shakedown Räikkönen drove seven times an 8 kilometer test stage. Is the car different when compared to C4 WRC?

– There aren't many differences. It's a Super 2000-style car. It's more good in your hands and I think it turns easier, Räikkönen said. He has the experience of four rallies in 2009 with Fiat S2000.

Does this fit your driving style better?

– So far it has felt pretty good. It's difficult to say how it will go when it's the real deal.

There was raining snow in Hagfors and it will rain at least until Friday morning. The new snow didn't fit Michelin's spiky tyres at all.

– The new tires seem to be tricky because once you got just a little on the snow there was no grip left and it went into a waterslide. Although snow is a great element under normal conditions, Räikkönen said.

Räikkönen tested only for one day the new car to Sweden.

– But that wasn't a full day either since the engine broke down because it had probably been used in all Citroen's tests.

Kaj Lindström quickly lists the differences between this year's and last year's Citroen.

– This is smaller by size, the engine is different and the transmission is ordered by a stick. The biggest difference is the lack of centerlocking. That's why the car is a bit different to drive when it rams a bit and doesn't turn as easily.

Räikkönen's schedule is so wide that some track races could be placed inbetween - like for example Le Mans 24 h in June?

– Let's see what happens. I don't know anything yet and I don't have anything to tell, Räikkönen said.

Then will we possibly see Räikkönen in a F1-car this year or sometime later?

– It's difficult to say, Räikkönen defined.
The Finn has been taken to Renault to replace Robert Kubica only in the wildest rumours.

Turun Sanomat, Hagfors

Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen happy with the DS3 WRC

Citroën Racing clients, Petter Solberg and Kimi Raïkkönen, also racked up the maximum number of kilometers with a few hours to go to the start.

“I already feel at home behind the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC,” smiled Norwegian Solberg this morning. “I’m ready to get the season off to a flying start, and I’m going to be fighting for the podium here in Sweden. The DS3 WRC is an easy car to drive and I can’t wait to be under starter’s orders!”

Parked a few metres away, Raïkkönen added: “I really like how the Citroën DS3 WRC handles. It’s more compact and easier to turn, I’m having fun behind the wheel. The conditions are different to our tests on ice. During the shakedown I kissed a wall of snow. We’ll see how things turn out during the rally.”

The crews are now heading off to Karlstad. Loeb will be attending a press conference at 13h30, and an autograph signing session will be held at 18h30 in Färestadstravet, the town’s race course, before the start of the first stage at 20h00.

Source: madeinmotorsport
Courtesy: Julia

Solberg and Räikkönen test DS3 WRC

The 2003 World Rally champion Petter Solberg and 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Räikkönen have both finally got to test the Citroen DS3 WRC that they will use this year – with mixed verdicts.

Solberg drove the car for around 250 kilometres in Sweden on Saturday, while Räikkönen covered a slightly shorter distance on Sunday. While Solberg said that the car suited him, he also had to battle with understeer throughout most of the day.

“There was a lot of understeer that we had to try to eliminate and we almost succeeded,” said the Norwegian. “But I’d like to try and beat Sebastien Loeb. We’ve got to try.”

Räikkönen enjoyed his first taste of the DS3 and is also aiming to up his game in 2011, according to co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, who accompanied ‘the iceman’ on his Swedish test. “We’re about to start our second season, which means that we have to improve in every area,” said Lindstrom. “In the second year, the mistakes get fewer and it’s easier to have good results. But we’ve still got to be very careful on each event.”

Räikkönen has been tipped for a top-six finish in Sweden next week by his team manager, Benoit Nogier.

Source: MaxRally
Courtesy: sleenster

Räikkönen tipped for top six in Sweden

Kimi Räikkönen's team manager has tipped the ex-Formula One world champion to challenge for a top six finish on Rally Sweden next week

Benoit Nogier, who will oversee the ICE 1 Racing operation on 10 rounds of the World Rally Championship, believes the Finn can shine on the snow-coated Swedish stages.

“I expect him to be in the battle - not for the podium but for the points,” said Nogier. “I think a top six finish for Kimi in Sweden is something we can expect and I hope he will be at this level on Friday, to expect this result on Sunday.”

Raikkonen, who got his first taste of Citroen’s new DS3 WRC during a test in Sweden last weekend, finished 10th in the final WRC drivers’ standings in 2010. Nogier said he was delighted when Raikkonen confirmed he would be returning for a second season in the WRC.

“It was very important [he has come back] because with Kimi we had the worst part with him last year, it was his first season in rally,” said Nogier. “We had two or three bad moments in the season, but it was very important to carry on with him now and to begin to build something very interesting and to start to not crash the car, but finish the rally and start to get good results. He can do this.”

Nogier said he expects Raikkonen to approach the season on a rally-by-rally basis, adding: “The goal will change rally after rally. Of course, we will try to get the best results we can from the beginning of the season. For the new events, for example Australia, it is important to just reach the finish line of the rally.”

He continued: “Kimi enjoyed driving the C4 so I cannot imagine that he will be disappointed with the DS3. I am very optimistic that Kimi will like it.”

Source: WRC
Courtesy: Julia

Citroën Racing enters the third dimension!

The entry of the DS3 WRC in the 2011 World Rally Championship will open a new chapter in the history of the French make. The Citroën Total World Rally Team's aim is win its seventh Manufacturer's World Title, and to achieve this it has entered two crews: Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena, gunning for their eighth drivers' world title on the trot, and Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia who have been promoted to the works outfit full time after scoring two victories in 2010.

Three more Citroën DS3 WRCs will be driven by privateers: Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn. Citroën Racing, which has been involved in top-level world rallying for ten years, is about to give its third World Rally car its debut. After the Xsara and the C4, which racked up three world titles each, the DS3 WRC will make its bow on the world stage in the Swedish Rally (10-13 February). The team directed by Olivier Quesnel has fixed itself an aim as simple as it is ambitious for this key season that represents a turning point in the make's history - retain its Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles!

The Citroën DS3 WRC is a stunning synthesis of Creative Technology that complies with the new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The most visible change is its size. The DS3 WRC is more compact than the C4, which gives it much more spectacular behaviour. The revolution continues under the bonnet as the car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine designed in-house by Citroën Racing. It is coupled to 4-wheel drive transmission with a manually controlled sequential gearbox and with a constant power sharing system between the front and rear axles.

The Citroën DS3 WRC was unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show, and it has since undergone multiple test sessions to be ready for a season consisting of thirteen rallies, each one with its own specific characteristics, stretched over a 9-month period. From the polar chill of Sweden to the heat of the Jordanian desert, the World Rally Championship is a huge challenge for men and machines. The technical team managed by Xavier Mestelan-Pinon has reproduced the most extreme conditions during the sessions aimed at testing the reliability of the car and developing its performance.

The Citroën Total World Rally Team that represents the official colours of the make has entered two DS3 WRCs for crews that come from its own nursery, which today consists of the 'Citroën Racing Trophies' organized all over Europe.

Total continues its long-standing partnership with Citroën as title sponsor of the works team. The DS3 WRCs will also carry the famous Red Bull colours as the company pursues an involvement that began in 2008. Three brands will be back among Citroën's partners, Michelin which will supply tyres for the DS3 WRCs, as well as Facom and Alcon.

Three more DS3 WRCs run by Citroën Racing Technologies will be entered for private crews in 2011. Petter Solberg-Chris Patterson will start all thirteen rounds, Kimi Räikkönen-Kaj Lindström will take part in ten rallies while Peter van Merksteijn-Eddy Chevaillier will begin their season at the Portuguese Rally."

Source: kimiraikkonen.com
Courtesy: Acropolis

Kimi Räikkönen to drive in Coffs Coast World Rally event

The Australian leg of the World Rally championship on the Coffs Coast this year has attracted some high profile motor sport stars

Finland's former Formula One champion Kimi Räikkönen will be driving for team Citroën.

Räikkönen switched from Formula One to World Rally in 2010.

His teammate Petter Solberg will also drive in the September World Rally event on the mid north coast.

Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion known as "The Iceman", and 2003 World Rally champion Solberg, nicknamed "Hollywood", both will drive works-built Citroën

DS3 WRC rally cars, according to team management.
They promise to bring massive fan and media attention to the 8-11 September event, which will be round 10 of the 2011 World Rally Championship.

Rally Australia General Manager Michael Masi said it was wonderful news that Räikkönen and Solberg would compete in Australia.

"These two drivers are both World Champions and motorsport mega-stars.

"To see them driving their million-dollar rally cars on the roads of the Coffs Coast will be a huge attraction," he said.

Räikkönen won the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship, including the Australian Grand Prix, for the Ferrari team before putting his hard-earned reputation on the line in a switch to the WRC in 2010.

Source: abc.net.au
Courtesy: luieluv

Kimi Räikkönen starts tests on saturday

On Saturday the Grassland, Kimi Räikkönen begins testing DS3 Citroën WRC. Fin credited ten rounds of the World Cup in the same team, which raced last year. There was only a change of name of Citroën Junior Team Racing on the Ice 1. The program ran out of Mexico, Argentina and Sardinia.

- Kimi this year will receive about 10-12 days of testing - said team manager 1 Racing Ice, Benoit Nogier. - Still talking about the program. You can start in more rallies, but it all depends on money.

- What can I do? - Olivier Quesnel said, when asked about Räikkönen calendar starts. - Kimi no money for the full program, but it is not stretch them out of his pocket!

Source: Autoklub
Courtesy:sleenster

Solberg set to contest full season, Räikkönen to enter ten rounds

Citroën Racing enters the third dimension!

The entry of the DS3 WRC in the 2011 World Rally Championship will open a new chapter in the history of the French make. The Citroën Total World Rally Team’s aim is win its seventh Manufacturer’s World Title, and to achieve this it has entered two crews: Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena, gunning for their eighth drivers’ world title on the trot, and Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia who have been promoted to the works outfit full time after scoring two victories in 2010. Three more Citroën DS3 WRCs will be driven by privateers: Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn.

Citroën Racing, which has been involved in top-level world rallying for ten years, is about to give its third World Rally car its debut. After the Xsara and the C4, which racked up three world titles each, the DS3 WRC will make its bow on the world stage in the Swedish Rally (10-13 February). The team directed by Olivier Quesnel has fixed itself an aim as simple as it is ambitious for this key season that represents a turning point in the make’s history - retain its Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles!

The Citroën DS3 WRC is a stunning synthesis of Creative Technology that complies with the new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The most visible change is its size. The DS3 WRC is more compact than the C4, which gives it much more spectacular behaviour. The revolution continues under the bonnet as the car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine designed in-house by Citroën Racing. It is coupled to 4-wheel drive transmission with a manually controlled sequential gearbox and with a constant power sharing system between the front and rear axles.

The Citroën DS3 WRC was unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and it has since undergone multiple test sessions to be ready for a season consisting of thirteen rallies, each one with its own specific characteristics, stretched over a 9-month period. From the polar chill of Sweden to the heat of the Jordanian desert, the World Rally Championship is a huge challenge for men and machines. The technical team managed by Xavier Mestelan-Pinon has reproduced the most extreme conditions during the sessions aimed at testing the reliability of the car and developing its performance.

The Citroën Total World Rally Team that represents the official colours of the make has entered two DS3 WRCs for crews that come from its own nursery, which today consists of the ‘Citroën Racing Trophies’ organized all over Europe. The reigning 7-time world champions Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena can’t wait to take on this new challenge. ‘Seb’ and ‘Danos’ hold just about all the records in the WRC, and they will start each round with the aim of winning and adding more laurels to their already-mind-boggling results. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who took part in three rallies for the works team in 2010, have been given the no. 2 DS3 WRC. The French pairing have already won two world championship rallies, and they must now confirm their ability to associate speed and consistency.

Total continues its long-standing partnership with Citroën as title sponsor of the works team. The DS3 WRCs will also carry the famous Red Bull colours as the company pursues an involvement that began in 2008. Three brands will be back among Citroën’s partners, Michelin which will supply tyres for the DS3 WRCs, as well as Facom and Alcon.

Three more DS3 WRCs run by Citroën Racing Technologies will be entered for private crews in 2011. Petter Solberg-Chris Patterson will start all thirteen rounds, Kimi Räikkönen-Kaj Lindström will take part in ten rallies while Peter van Merksteijn-Eddy Chevaillier will begin their season at the Portuguese Rally.

Source: Nextgen-auto

Räikkönen will test at the end of the month

World Rally Championship series starts in February in Sweden. Citroën with a new DS3-car driving Kimi Räikkönen's co-driver Kaj Lindström says that the duo gets to test the car at the end of this month

Lindström hopes that the starting season would go easier on every level. According to him it still isn't easy for Kimi to drive rally although he has one full WRC-season behind him.

- If we are talking about the outside quarters and media, the expectation-level was more like an utopy. One has to remember that the genres are so different. On the other hand Kimi would have made all the WRC-drivers laughing stocks if he would have done well there during his first year and achieved great results, Lindström says.

- I think he drove very well when looking at his driving experience. We knew that mistakes would happen. We did those mistakes under a magnifying glass. It was easy to pick on them and gloat at them. All and all it was a learning year and there were some good achievements too but then again driving off and retirements also happened during the year.

- We knew during December how we would continue. It was finetuning of the contracts and other things that take time. Of course some uncomfortable things happened before Christmas. At that point it was meant that we would tell about it only at this point.

- The situation is the same for everybody. The cars change a bit technically and they get new cages. They are a little lighter and clearly smaller from the outside and the distance of the axle is also smaller. Technically they have gone more towards a mechanical car compared to the old WRC-car.

- We will start driving our second season. It means that we still try to improve our skills on every level and go forward. The pace will get faster through that. I think that when you drive for the second year the amount of mistakes also drops. If you drive in a clean way then the results will come through that but let's not start building any huge expectations. Just take it rally by rally.

Source: YLE Sports
Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen gets a Citroen for 10 WRC-rallies

Kimi Räikkönen's contract that has been fine-tuned for a long time with Citroen's brand new DS3 WRC-car in WRC was finally ready to be published on Monday.

– We can confirm that Kimi has agreed upon 10 WRC-rallies with Citroen. Kimi decided that he wants to continue in rally and he wanted to continue in the best car. Although the WRC-cars will change Citroen still seems to be in the best positions, Räikkönen's manager Steve Robertson told Turun Sanomat.

Kaj Lindström will continue as Räikkönen's co-driver. Mark Arnall will still take care of his fitness.

– Of course Kimi's learning in rally continues this year also but it's not as difficult as it was the first season. The car is now different for everybody and it gives a little leverage in addition to the experience Kimi has gained when compared to the top lead. Of course the difference to Sebastien Loeb and other experienced drivers is undisputable, Robertson thinks.

Peter van Merksteijn junior has also made a 10 rally deal with Citroen like Räikkönen but the French team will only get 3 new cars to Sweden.

This year the junior-team's car is completely identical with the factory team because the machinery is completely renewed.

Why does Räikkönen have a contract with 10 instead of 13 rallies?

– Because Kimi's rallying experience is so small it can be better to drive additional tests with the new car while the others race in the long distance races, Robertson justified - but he left the possibility that Räikkönen would in the end drive the whole serie.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole