Räikkönen relaxed into his best rally rhythm

Sweden is Kimi Räikkönen's 20th rally. On Saturday he had his best day so far. Räikkönen found especially in the afternoon a driving rhythm which grew his selfconfidence bigger and the promising SS-times came easily.

In stages Räikkönen was first 6th, then twice 5th and at last 4th fastest. What was surprising was that Räikkönen got so close to Petter Solberg who was driving the same car.

In Lesjofors stage Räikkönen was only 0,2 seconds behind him, in Sågen he was already 2,4 seconds faster than him and then in Fredriksberg he was 0,6 seconds behind him.

How surprised are you over your times?

– It went okay. The driving is just better. It was trickier in the morning but I found the right rhythm in the afternoon.

How close to the limit did you get already?

– I don't know but I do know that these times came easily. It was completely normal driving. It's good that it was found now this afternoon. Now all I have to do is keep the same rhythm on Sunday too.

Räikkönen's best position is 5th in Turkey. However this day was much better since opponents didn't fall off the game like it happened in Turkey.

Do you feel that you have made progress?

– When you train all year you have to learn something. Hopefully the driving will get better from here on. I found the right way to drive and the times came immediately much easier, Räikkönen smiled.

Kaj Lindström warned not to get too excited over the good times.

– This was a clean driving day. I think Kimi drove superbly this afternoon. I have always said that when you drive your own drive and don't make mistakes it will relax the driving, give confidence and the clock also likes it.

– Kimi drove neatly with a good rhythm. Now all he has to do is keep the same rhythm in the same style, Kaj said.

After a difficult Friday Räikkönen climbed up from 11th position to 7th on Saturday right after Sebastien Loeb.

Turun Sanomat, Hagfors

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen in better rhythm

The cold and clear weather helped Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström to a better speed on Saturday morning in Rally Sweden. Kimi was 8th on all four stages. He did best in Sågen where Kimi was 22,2 seconds from the top time when he had the difference of 30,4 seconds in the stage before that.

Räikkönen is now holding on to two points being 9th.

– The weather is now normal compared to Friday's snowstorm and it was pretty good driving, Kaj evaluated.

– We are on the ride with only one spare tyre so the balance of the car is a bit different. We already got it pretty good.

How big is the difference to last year when Kimi debuted on these roads?

– Because Kimi has drove here before, of course he remembers the places. First he didn't remember the last stage but once we took off he remembered it immeadiately.

The change of weather has of course changed the surface of the road too.

– It's not a that big change. The surface doesn't eat the tyres as much or wear them out, Lindström said.

Räikkönen has to shake himself awake because the rally begins so early.

– It always goes late in the evening here so we don't have much time to sleep. But it went okay. There isn't as much snow as it was on Friday. It's much more cooler to drive. The roads are great, Räikkönen said.

Turun Sanomat, Hagfors

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole