Kimi: Sebastien is harder to beat than Sebastian

According to privateer Citroën driver (and former Grand Prix title-holder) Kimi Räikkönen, it’s harder to beat Sebastien Loeb than newly-crowned two-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel.

On paper, Loeb looks like he’s got the edge, with seven titles to Vettel’s mere two, but according to Räikkönen, there’s a lot more to it than that.

“In rally the cars are closer,” said the 2007 Formula One champion, now in his second year of rallying. “It’s not so much different whether you have a Citroen, a Ford or a Mini. In F1 you can have three seconds between two cars; and however good you are you are you will never get that difference back just by driving. So if you are in the best car, you’re much more likely to win.”

So according to Räikkönen, rallying is more of a meritocracy when it comes to driver talent. He knows he can’t beat Loeb through bitter experience, but could he beat Vettel?

“I think Sebastien Loeb could go just as fast in my car as in his own car,” said the Finn. “But if you’re not in the same car in F1 you never know, because the car makes such a difference. And Vettel’s car is certainly good. So it’s hard to answer the question. Although I have beaten Vettel in the past but not Loeb…”

Source: MaxRally

Video: Kimi Räikkönen and Loeb at Press Conference in Helsinki 2011

Courtesy:Nicole

There were a few jumps put as hinders and how did you fly and did you go flat out?

- It's cool that we get to jump even a little so that we don't just go evenly.

How challenging is it to drive on cobblestone on a street this narrow?

- well of course it's more slippery and we have to remember that there aren't any bigger safety walls so we have to drive safely so that something crazy doesn't happen, that's the most important thing. But other than that it's pretty nice to drive although the street is more narrow but we have drove on cobblestone elsewhere too so it's not that difficult.

Was there any racing betweeen the two of you or time taking?

- No there wasn't, the last time it was quite something but there was no racing, we just wanted to give some fun to people.

Loeb talks

Jyväskylä is one of the most fastest and it will bring some quite nice jumps too. How well does it suit you, aren't you afraid at all to go so fast there in the midst of trees?

- You don't really feel the speed yourself when you are there, unless of course you drive off, but the roads are in a better shape than they are in many rallies and that's probably why the speed is so fast, but it's great to drive on them and of course there are some jumps too so you have to be alert in them but it's great to drive in Finland again.

2009 you rolled into the woods, how much does it still spook in your mind?

- It doesn't spook in my mind, I have rolled after that too, that's rallying and so far we have stayed on the road but I'm sure there will be rollings in the future too so it doesn't bother so much.

Loeb talks

Will we see you Kimi one day holding a F1-boat's steering wheel?

- No. Or I don't know. *shrugs shoulders* difficult to say, I would surely have opportunities to try that but certainly not in races. But of course I could try that someday, it's a special genre of it's own.

Kimi talks

Kimi, you were giving out autographs today, how does it feel when you are in a straight contact with young admirers. Has it become boring during the years or can you still do it with enthusiasm?

- Well of course there has been very little like this in Finland so it's really nice and it's funny to see small kids who are very enthusiastic.

Source: Ilta-Sanomat

Photos: Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastien Loeb at Red Bull Show Run Helsinki Part II

More pics of Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastien Loeb at Red Bull Show Run Helsinki



















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Loeb: Kimi's lack of success a good thing

Seven-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb admits to being relieved that Kimi Räikkönen has not done too well in the World Rally Championship series.

- It has been a good thing from the point of view of the level of the World Rally Championships series. This shows that it is not easy for the former F1 champion to win in rally, said Loeb, who is preparing for the World Rally Championship round in Mexico, in an interview with the local magazine Excélsior.

To date, Räikkönen's career-best rally result is fifth place in last season's Rally of Turkey. However, Loeb does not overlook the Formula One champion's skills.

- Kimi is a good driver and can show flashes at any time, Loeb said.

Raikkonen will skip Mexico's leg, which starts tonight Finnish time.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: sleenster

Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastien Loeb in Autograph Session at Rally Japan 2010

Source: Citroën WRC

RTL Klub Fókusz - Exclusive from Rally of Turkey 2010

Source: YouTube