Quesnel: “Kimi really wanted to”

Olivier Quesnel, interviewed this Sunday in the Motors show on RMC, shared the motivations which pushed Kimi Räikkönen to join Citroën and the WRC for the 2010 season. He really wanted to do Rally, confides the boss of Citroën Racing. En Formula 1, it seemed complicated, despite the fact that it was one of the very best. But it was above all the desire to do the Rally that counted. »

« He wanted to do Rally, continues Quesnel. We are the best Rally team so, naturally, he turned to us. After some good discussions, notably with our common sponsor, Red Bull, we found a solution. He will therefore be a driver in the Junior team with Sébastien Ogier next season. »

If the decision had been awaited for a fortnight, the takeover of Brawn GP by Mercedes somewhat delayed the official announcement of Kimi's choice. But Olivier Quesnel confirms that the first discussions took place upstream, around the time Ferrari announced that she had separated from Iceman. “ It's been two months since it was in the pipeline », attests the boss of the world champion team.

Even if Red Bull allowed the operation to take place, the director of Citroën Racing believes that the Finn?s desire was stronger than the financial and marketing interests of this rally. “ It was not the cost that was the stumbling block. Red Bull was very interested. We are very proud to welcome him. From there, it happened naturally »

With Kimi Räikkönen in Rally, the WRC is enriched with an FIA world champion driver, while we thought for a while that F1 would also benefit from the reinforcement of a famous French world champion. An irony of fate that Olivier Quesnel recognizes. “ What's a little funny is that, for six months, we announced Sébastien Loeb in F1. And, in the seventh month, Kimi Räikkönen, F1 world champion, arrives in the Rally. »

As for the continuation of Kimi Räikkönen's adventure in Rallying, Olivier Quesnel prefers to take on the role of observer during the first outings of the season. “ It is obvious that if he progresses and shows himself at the level, without asking the impossible for a first season, he could move to the first team (in 2011). If he struggles, maybe he will return to F1. It is he who will see. »

With Sébastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Sébastien Ogier and Kimi Räikkönen? or even Petter Solberg? In 2010, Citroën Racing will present an impressive dream team. “ When you have the best car in the field, the best drivers want to race it, says Quesnel. For us, it is recognition to see that the greatest drivers want to drive with Citroën. »