The Räikkönen attraction

Coming to “have fun” in rallying, Kimi Räikkönen made no secret of the fact that a new career in the discipline could interest him at the end of his contract with Ferrari at the end of 2010.

Published on 30/07/2009 à 13:29

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After two participations in national rallies in Finland and a short appearance in Italy, Kimi Räikkönen made his debut in the World Championship at the Rally from Finland at the wheel of an Abarth Grande Punto Super 2000 co-driven by Kaj Lindtröm. A real attraction for spectators, the World Champion of F1 2007 is followed by dozens of people at the slightest of his movements.

National star, the pilot Ferrari (he wears the team's t-shirt and cap) has chosen to take part in the Rally Finland during the summer break of the F1 calendar. ?I didn?t have any other commitments so I thought it might be fun to take part in this event,? comments Kimi. “I have followed this rally several times as a spectator but this year I am discovering the competition. I'm going to see what the roads are like behind the wheel of a racing car. »

Far from being just a hobby, rallying could be a possible career change for the Finn: “I have one year left on my contract in F1. Then anything is possible. I won't stop driving after F1 and rallying offers the possibility of a new career. We'll see which route F1 takes? For the moment, my participations are a good learning experience. Today, Luca di Montezemolo is giving me the opportunity to drive in a rally. The fact that Fiat has a Super 2000 makes things easier. Do I take advantage of it? »

Four other Super 2000s are entered by the Finns Juho Hänninen (Skoda), Anton Alen (Abarth), Janne Tuohino (Peugeot ) and the Russian Radik Shaymiev (Peugeot).