Recent speculation linking him to Renault’s F1 outfit was vigorously denied by Räikkönen, and the Finn is now fully committed to rallying.“I enjoy rallying and I want to carry on, but we have to find a solution,” said the 30-year-old, who claimed the Formula One title in 2007. “Hopefully we can sort out the situation soon. But there are no guarantees.”
His manager Steve Robertson confirmed that the emphasis has shifted away from Formula One for Raikkonen, the winner of 18 Grands Prix. “We’re no longer looking at opportunities in F1,” added Robertson. “Kimi seems to be focussed on rallying at the moment.”
The Finn has so far failed to conclude a deal with his backer Red Bull to keep him in the Citroen Junior Team, although his management is working on a deal to keep him within the Citroen fold with reduced funding. Options from MINI and the Monster World Rally Team are also on the table.
“We’re talking to lots of different people,” confirmed Räikkönen. “There are some good possibilities. It’s not something I’m worried about.”
While Citroën’s Olivier Quesnel has previously stated that Raikkonen is “not fast enough’, Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson is one of the Finn’s big supporters.
“Some people have said they can’t see the value in what Kimi is doing,” said Wilson. “Well, for me, he’s brought great value in the WRC. Having him in the sport has raised the profile, created a stir and a story this season. Okay, he’s still learning, but there’s a heck of a lot more to come from him - and he’s still Kimi Räikkönen.”
Source: WRC
