Solberg believes in Räikkönen

Petter Solberg, world rally champion in 2003, thinks that Kimi Räikkönen would quickly adapt to the discipline, at a time when an agreement seems closer and closer. The Finn, who should drive a Citroën C4 WRC next season, played a Rally of the WRC calendar this season, in Finland, and impressed observers at the wheel of the Abarth Grande Punto S2000 which had been entrusted to him, before ending up off the road.

« With the testing sessions planned, I think he would adapt quickly ", Solberg told wrc.com. “ He?s a very, very good driver, and once he learns the basics, like notes for example, I think he?ll surprise a lot of people. We have already seen his speed in Finland in a Super 2000. If he has a good WRC next season, I think he can finish between third and fifth place on some rallies. »

A keen observer, Petter Solberg drove the Citroën C4 WRC in Spain and Great Britain, a model that Kimi Räikkönen should inherit next season. For the Norwegian, the adaptation of Iceman to the C4 should be done without too many problems. “ Both the C4 and the Ford (Focus WRC) are efficient and easy to drive. They are consistent cars with predictable behavior. I think he could adapt quickly to these two cars. »

The world champion, who was able to compare driving a car and a Rally car this season, also expresses his certainty that Kimi Räikkönen will quickly find the right behavior aboard a World Rally Car. “ This season, I drove a Formula 1 as well as an endurance car and it?s the same as a rally car; you must attack, continues Solberg. You must be at the limit and you must not be afraid. It's all about attacking and Kimi proved he knows how to do it. »