Sweden is Kimi Räikkönen's 20th rally. On Saturday he had his best day so far. Räikkönen found especially in the afternoon a driving rhythm which grew his selfconfidence bigger and the promising SS-times came easily.
In stages Räikkönen was first 6th, then twice 5th and at last 4th fastest. What was surprising was that Räikkönen got so close to Petter Solberg who was driving the same car.
In Lesjofors stage Räikkönen was only 0,2 seconds behind him, in Sågen he was already 2,4 seconds faster than him and then in Fredriksberg he was 0,6 seconds behind him.
How surprised are you over your times?
– It went okay. The driving is just better. It was trickier in the morning but I found the right rhythm in the afternoon.
How close to the limit did you get already?
– I don't know but I do know that these times came easily. It was completely normal driving. It's good that it was found now this afternoon. Now all I have to do is keep the same rhythm on Sunday too.
Räikkönen's best position is 5th in Turkey. However this day was much better since opponents didn't fall off the game like it happened in Turkey.
Do you feel that you have made progress?
– When you train all year you have to learn something. Hopefully the driving will get better from here on. I found the right way to drive and the times came immediately much easier, Räikkönen smiled.
Kaj Lindström warned not to get too excited over the good times.
– This was a clean driving day. I think Kimi drove superbly this afternoon. I have always said that when you drive your own drive and don't make mistakes it will relax the driving, give confidence and the clock also likes it.
– Kimi drove neatly with a good rhythm. Now all he has to do is keep the same rhythm in the same style, Kaj said.
After a difficult Friday Räikkönen climbed up from 11th position to 7th on Saturday right after Sebastien Loeb.
Turun Sanomat, Hagfors
HEIKKI KULTA
Courtesy: Nicole
