Räikkönen: “Things to learn”

What do you expect at the start of the season?
You know, everything is new to me in rally. It's a passion to begin with, but it's becoming more serious this year. For now, I'm discovering the car.
I had the opportunity to carry out tests for two days before the Arctic Rally. But testing is not the race. By continuing to ride on the same base, it becomes easier. In the special, it's different after only two reconnaissance passes. My discovery and learning phase is always
in progress. This is my second year in rallying. In 2009, I was racing just for fun on an S2000 that was very different from the WRC and I only argued
four tests. Not to mention that I quickly gave up in Italy, then I went out to Finland. My experience in rallying is therefore very weak. I will know more in Sweden about my level compared to the other drivers.

How did you approach this first meeting: like a real rally or a training race?
I have so much to learn that this could not be considered anything other than a training run, in preparation for the Swedish rally. Whether in testing or in a race like here at the Arctic Rally, what I need most is to drive the C4 WRC. Before the rally, I had done three hundred kilometers in testing. It?s good, but not enough. At the shakedown, I continued to ride. Five passes in total. I'm looking for a car that handles comfortably. It is possible to compensate by piloting on a known basis. Conversely, in special stages, you have to improvise more. Hence the importance of having a predictable and easy car.

Find the full interview in AUTOhebdo n°1738 on sale this week