Räikkönen returns to rallying

Kimi Räikkönen will return to World Rally Championship duty in Greece next week, almost two months after he made his last appearance in the series in Jordan, where he finished sixth in his Ice 1 Racing Citroen DS3 WRC

Since then the ex-Formula One world champion has made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut, finishing 15th at Charlotte, a result he followed up by claiming 27th on his first appearance in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the same venue one week later.

Räikkönen has yet to compete on the Loutraki-based Acropolis Rally and will be braced for a tough test on the punishing gravel stages. He spent today (Wednesday) reacclimatising to the rigours of driving his turbocharged Citroen on gravel roads during a test near Marseille in the south of France where he covered approximately 150 kilometres.

Benoit Nogier, who manages the Citroen Racing Technologies operation, the company responsible for running Raikkonen’s DS3 WRC, spoke to Wrc.com following the test. He said: “We were very happy with his performance in Jordan and he has a good opportunity for Greece. We found a road with a condition as close as possible to Greece and Kimi was quite happy. It will be a tough rally, not necessarily for the drivers but for the cars. The first day is very long with only a remote service but Kimi is not a rookie anymore and will be able to manage this situation.”

Räikkönen, who is co-driven by fellow Finn Kaj Lindstrom, will be anxious to kick start his promising 2011 WRC campaign in Greece after skipping the last two rounds in Italy and Argentina. He had described his performance on the Jordan Rally in mid-April as his best in the series so far and would have equalled his career-best fifth place but for a late puncture.

“The driving has been better and we’re pushing harder now,” Räikkönen was quoted as saying recently. “My only target really is to improve in the WRC.”

The Acropolis Rally will mark the fourth of Räikkönen’s planned 10 appearances in the WRC. He’s currently ninth in the drivers’ standings on 18 points. Ice 1 Racing is sixth in the manufacturers’ standings with 26 points.

Source: WRC

Why happy Kimi continues to improve

While the thrilling finish to last week's Jordan Rally wrote headlines around the world, Kimi Räikkönen was delivering another solid performance at the wheel of his Ice 1 Racing Citroen DS3 WRC

For the third event in succession, Räikkönen scored championship points. While he might yet be some way from threatening the podium it was a notable achievement from a driver who could barely muster an error-free run during his debut season in 2010.

Kaj Lindström, who has co-driven Räikkönen since the ex-Formula One world champion took his first steps in rallying back in 2009, said increased experience - and confidence - is playing a huge part in the Ice Man’s upturn in form, rather than a change to his approach behind the wheel.

“It’s much better than last year because he’s finding the right way by finishing rallies without making mistakes,” said Lindstrom. “There’s no difference to what he’s doing. Rallying was a brand new experience for him when he started and there’s no short cut in this sport. It takes time to learn and after one year it’s getting easier for him.”

Lindström explained that Räikkönen is finally able to trust his pace notes, which was one of his main weaknesses last season.

“There won’t be any miracles from him just yet but his self-confidence is building because we’ve seen a big improvement in his pace notes,” said Lindstrom. “He is relying on them more and more and when that happens there are no big surprises for him on the stages.”

Asked whether Räikkönen was happy within the Citroën Racing empire, Lindström said: “The team took us in from the start and the second year is always easier in any relationship. You have to remember he had the option to go where he wanted. It’s his choice and he chose to stay with Citroën, which says it all. He’s happy and he’s definitely enjoying the WRC. He doesn’t have to drive but he does because he wants to be here. He’s very motivated.”

Source: WRC

Räikkönen has the 6th position forked

Kimi Räikkönen was 8th in Sweden's rally, in Portugal he was 7th and now in Jordan after the first day the Finnish driver is impressively 6th.

Räikkönen's first day in Jordan went without any bigger problems. Kimi snatched a valuable scalp on Friday-afternoon when he left the experienced Matthew Wilson behind him by driving and came in 6th in the result sheet.

Räikkönen improved significantly his times in the afternoon when they took the stages for the second time.

– There wasn't any more effort than it was in the morning but the driving was better. In the afternoon we drove one crossroad long and lost a bit of time. But otherwise it went a lot better, Räikkönen said.

A year ago Räikkönen was 8th in Jordan and hence he achieved his career's first WRC-points.

Turun Sanomat, Kuollutmeri

TONI HEINONEN

Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen returned back to rally

Kimi about the shakedown:

– It went quite well - at least in the beginning. Of course it's going to be a little difficult in the beginning because I haven't got to drive for some time, Räikkönen thought.

– The car feels just the same as it felt before. There's no difference, Räikkönen stated shortly in his own way.

Ford's and Citroen's drivers from the main team got to try out Michelin's new tyre that shouldn't break as easily as it has broken in the previous rallies. Räikkönen got finally to test the new rubbers in shakedown.

– I didn't notice any difference in the tyres. There are lots of stones on the road but so far no tyres have broken. Hopefully the difference to the last tyres is big, Räikkönen said.

– They haven't made any changes to the car because of the new tyres. I suppose they don't have to do that either, he continued.

– This year there will be less tactics because the race is only two days long. I'm second on the road on Friday so I have to put the foot to the pedal immediately so that I won't lose too much when thinking of the second day, Loeb planned.

– It was difficult to make the notes because the rented car felt like a truck, Loeb said.

Turun Sanomat, Dead Sea

TONI HEINONEN

Courtesy: Nicole

JORDAN RALLY WRC 2011 - PREVIEW KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN

All three crews – Petter Solberg/ Chris Patterson (Petter Solberg World Rally Team), Kimi Räikkönen/Kaj Lindström (Ice 1 Racing) and Peter van Merksteijn Jr./Eddy Chevailllier (Van Merksteijn Motorsport) – have different objectives but they share the same goal of wanting to make the most of the DS3 WRC’s strengths on the shores of the Dead Sea

Three weeks after the Rally of Portugal, the FIA World Rally Championship is striking out into new territory. As the Head of Citroën Racing Technologies Benoit Nogier points out:

“The calendar and the logistical constraints surrounding the journey to the Middle East have forced a fairly frantic pace upon us since we finished the Rally of Portugal. As soon as our DS3 WRCs got back to the factory, we stripped them down straight away in order to leave for Jordan in time.”

The tight schedule meant that there was no possibility to organise a test to prepare for the rally.

“We would have liked to have tested the new tyres that we will use in Jordan,” added Nogier. “Like the factory teams, we will benefit from an evolution of the Michelin Latitude Cross tyres, which have been designed to be stronger. This means that the shakedown will be vital for us in terms of gathering information. The drivers will need to adapt themselves very quickly to these new developments.”

Petter Solberg (Petter Solberg World Rally Team) has finished the first three events of this year in the points, but he has felt frustrated by not being as far up the order as he would have liked.

The Norwegian is hoping to turn the tide in Jordan and fight for his 14th victory at World Championship level. The 2003 World Champion, who has been the best performer since the start of the year thanks to 16 fastest stage times over the three rounds held so far, was on the podium in Jordan last year.

Petter, currently fifth in the World Championship rankings, will at least benefit from an advantageous road position on the first day.

Kimi Räikkönen (Ice 1 Racing) is taking part in the Jordan Rally for the second consecutive time. In 2010, the Finn scored his very first World Rally Championship points there after a mistake-free rally. This year, the Ice 1 Racing driver is going to try to get close to the fastest times again over the rapid desert stages. His first gravel rally driving the Citroën DS3 WRC ended up with an encouraging seventh overall in Portugal, so Kimi is now hoping to move gradually closer to the top five on merit.

Peter van Merksteijn Jr (Van Merksteijn Motorsport) got to know the team during his first rally with Citroën in Portugal, and his aim in Jordan is to continue his steep learning curve with the DS3 WRC.

On terrain that is totally different to the Algarve and brand new for the young Dutchman, he will have to avoid several deceptive hazards in order to continue building up vital knowledge. Once more he is able to rely upon the experience of his co-driver, Eddy Chevailler, to help him make progress on the demanding stages of the Jordan Rally.

Source: Red Bull Rallye

Räikkönen bite the dust

Kimi Räikkönen came in 7th but suffered in time because of Armindo Araujo.

– We got stuck in the dust behind that Mini for about 8 km because he had a puncture or something else. We got the car better and my own driving got better too, Räikkönen coughed.

– It more cool to drive when the car feels normal. On Friday we *** No swearing *** up the setups and we had made some mistakes from the beginning.

What about the F1-race. Did you see the qualification in the morning?

– No, because I'm not there, Räikkönen said.

Turun Sanomat, Faro

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Tyre puncture bugged Kimi

Portugal is the first rally on gravel for Kimi Räikkönen's new Citroen. The start was sticky and just as Räikkönen started to find a better rhythm the tyre emptied all of a sudden without hitting anything.

– The air just disappeared and suddenly we noticed that there went our tyre. We had 11 km of the stage left. We drove the rest of the stage with the wheel and lost 1,40 minutes. If you have over 15 km to the finish of the stage, then it's worthwhile to stop and change the tyre, Lindström told.

– It was a bad thing when the tyre went. I improved my driving in the afternoon but during service break we took the wrong direction with setups. I had no grip, Räikkönen said.

– Of course it was seen during the first stage that it was a race on gravel. It was sticky but we got a hang of it around the final phase of the stage, Lindström said.

The team's mecanics had some overtime work when everything is changed so that they get the setups to hit better.

– It felt surprisingly hard although it shouldn't have felt that way. We will change the whole suspension just in case, if there is some problem with it, Lindström said.

Source: Turun Sanomat
Courtesy: Nicole

Video: Kimi Räikkönen Interview at Rally de Portugal 2011

Source: WRC

VODAFONE RALLY PORTUGAL 2011 - PREVIEW: Van Merksteijn joins Solberg and Räikkönen

For the first time, five Citroën DS3 WRCs will compete in a round of the World Rally Championship

Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn Jr are racing under their own colours in Rally Portugal in cars that are identical to those run by the Citroën Total World Rally Team. These have been put at their disposal by Citroën Racing Technologies.

For several seasons, Citroën Racing has been developing its activities in the World Rally Championship through Citroën Racing Technologies. This back-up programme for privateers at the top level is continuing in 2011 with the Citroën DS3 WRC.

“The changes in the regulations have forced all the drivers to enter the latest generation WRCs,” says Benoit Nogier, the Citroën Racing Technologies director. “Citroën Racing has decided to provide Citroën DS3 WRCs for privateers. These cars have the same specification as the works cars and comply with the same homologation sheet.”

Petter Solberg and Kimi Räikkönen began their season in the World Rally Championship in Sweden. The Norwegian finished fifth (with three fastest times) and the Finn scored the points that went with eighth place.

In Mexico, Solberg just missed out on a podium finish (five fastest times) after leading the rally in the early stages. In the third round of the championship in Portugal, Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn Jr all have very different aims in their Citroën DS3 WRCs.

Petter Solberg (Petter Solberg World Rally Team): “I always enjoy rallying in Portugal. The event is both quick and very technical and suits me good. We learned a lot about the car on gravel in Mexico, and also learned a lot during our test day here in Portugal. As usual, I want to finish on the podium, and I know we have the speed to do so. Crossing my fingers for a problem free rally.”

Kimi Räikkönen (Ice 1 Racing): “We made a good start to the championship in the Swedish Rally. We were closer to the leaders than last year. But we’re still learning. Since then we’ve taken part in a test day to get to grips with the car on gravel. It feels good and I can’t wait to be at the start of the Portuguese Rally.”

Peter van Merksteijn Junior (Van Merksteijn Motorsport): “I was able to get used to the car in a two-day test. We ran through a wide range of setups. The DS3 WRC is a bit like a kart as it reacts immediately to the slightest input from the driver. The car really made a big impression on me as did the team, which is very professional. I’m really looking forward to tackling my first rally of the season.”

Source: RedBullRallye

Räikkönen happy after pre- Portugal test

Kimi Räikkönen has voiced his satisfaction to team boss Benoit Nogier following a test in France yesterday (Wednesday)

The 2007 Formula One world champion covered approximately 150 kilometres at a venue in the east of the country as he continued his preparations for next week’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

Räikkönen is returning to the WRC with his ICE 1 Racing team after deciding not to include Rally Guanajuato Mexico on his schedule of events for this season.

“He was very happy with the feeling of the Citroën DS3 WRC,” said Nogier, the man responsible for overseeing Räikkönen’s transition to rallying. “One day was not a lot of time for Kimi because he had to combine discovering the car on gravel and working on the different choices and options for his set-up for the rally. But it was a success although he prefers the new car because it is more reactive than before and for him it’s better.”

Nogier said finding a suitable venue for the test had proved troublesome because of persistent rain in areas of France, which resulted in new Citroën signing Peter van Merksteijn Jr’s planned test on Tuesday being cancelled. However, the site used in eastern France for Raikkonen’s run had been largely free of rain for the past three weeks and was mainly dry during Wednesday’s test.

Of Räikkönen’s chances in Portugal, Nogier was similarly upbeat. “It’s always a difficult rally with tough stages but his performance in Sweden makes us confident,” said Nogier. “He knows the rally and knows what the problems are. He had a good feeling with the car after the test so he can be okay.”

Finn Räikkönen finished 10th on Rally de Portugal last season alongside co-driver Kaj Lindström.

Source: WRC

WRC Face to Face 2010 Book: Kimi Räikkönen

WRC Face to Face 2010 Book!

Courtesy: sleenster

It's a relief Kimi is not coming back

When Kimi Räikkönen quit Formula One to go top flight rallying, there were few feelings of regret through the paddock ranks and, indeed, a sigh of "good riddance" from some.

The glum-faced Finn's refrigerated persona and dead-pan response to most questions posed beyond the precincts of a nightclub bar after midnight where he was more relaxed endeared him to few in Formula One.

On the other hand, his transfixing ability and speed when he put his mind to it triggered widespread admiration, more especially when he captured the world crown with Ferrari in 2007 before his stardom faded under the onslaught of, first, Lewis Hamilton and then the Briton's subsequent McLaren teammate Jenson Button. But he forsook his near £30 million (Dh178 million) a year wages with the Prancing Horse legends and gave up grands prix for international rallying two years ago for a fraction of Ferrari salary.

Since then, and with mixed fortunes and some scary crashes over the rough stuff, the 31-year-old has pondered on the wisdom of his fleeing the F1 scene with spasmodic temptations for him to return. The latest, after he was wooed by Renault at the end of last year, was to be mooted for the seat left vacant by Robert Kubica's unfortunate and perhaps career-ending crash in a no-account rally in which he almost lost a hand and has suffered 24 hours of surgery since.

No interest

But Räikkönen, no doubt boosted by his encouraging eighth place in the Swedish World Rally round, has dampened any flames of hope of his comeback, a la Michael Schumacher, by insisting: "I have no interest in returning to Formula One". He left no room for doubt, no hint that he could be stalling for a big pay day or that the magic of F1 still tempts him, when he summarily dismissed the rumours even as Renault, no doubt fearful of the embarrassment of a rebuttal, plumped instead for German Nick Heidfeld.

"I do not want to talk about Formula One," stressed Citroen works driver Raikkonen, a Grand Prix winner 18 times, second twice and third once in the championship chase as well as being crowned king. "Rallying is where I want to be," he added from behind his familiarly blank face. "And it is good to be back for another season."

So that's that then. Now all of us who have ever tried to stir him to anything other than a stony-faced and cold response to our questions may breathe a sigh of relief.

Source: GulfNews

Räikkönen: there is still more to learn

Kimi Räikkönen says he still has plenty to learn despite scoring points on Rally Sweden earlier this month

Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula One world champion, finished eighth on the world championship season-opener in his ICE 1 Racing Citroën DS3 WRC alongside co-driver Kaj Lindström.

The Finn has elected to skip next week’s Rally Guanajuato Mexico but will return to the WRC on Vodafone Rally de Portugal following a test on gravel, where he says the learning process will continue.

“Before [Sweden] we had only one day for testing so obviously there is much to learn,” the 31-year-old told his official website. “While the car felt good, still the race is the race and when you get very challenging and changeable weather it is difficult.

“Every time after the rally you feel you could have gone faster. But [the] most important feeling was this time [was] I have learned more and improved from last year. Sweden was a good start for the season. The next rally for us is Portugal. Before that we have a test. Now it’s time to start working to go well on gravel too.”

As well as adjusting to Citroen’s DS3, Räikkönen said he still had to make improvements to his pace notes.

“We still have to focus more on the pace notes,” said Räikkönen, who finished 10th in last season’s final WRC standings. “There were not that many places we had it wrong but there were some, we had to change before the second pass. If you get it wrong, it’s always very tricky to keep the car on the road. It’s challenging to work with pace notes that’s for sure.

“But it was great fun to get back racing again. We didn’t have any major problems and we seemed to get closer to the frontrunners. Actually it was pretty much an easy-going rally for us in very tricky circumstances.”

Source: WRC
Courtesy: momo

Icemen and frostmen

Kimi Räikkönen is a worldwide known iceman in motorsport who even drives as a master in his own ICE1 Racing -team. He started the season in the arctic Sweden in a cool way and got immediately a number 9 from his co-driver Kaj Lindström for his performance.

But the real iceman was however Jari-Matti Latvala who literally froze in Ford's cockpit a couple of times.

Latvala who had over-aggressively setup and whipped his new car was jumping in the snowbanks all the time. Ford almost ran out of front bumpers because they couldn't take this kind of handling. All and all Latvala left behind him 4 bumpers on the roads .

The Ford came again on Sunday morning so air-conditioned that both driver and co-driver Miikka Anttila were shaking from shivering with their hands and feet frozen. The heat batteries melted the frozen men and Latvala found a rhythm for the afternoon so he could get in 3rd like last year.

Malcolm Wilson was shaking his head because Latvala's weekend was one rollercoaster - at times completely spectacular driving, at times nothing but a nightmare. Yet Wilson strongly believes that someday pieces will fall in place and that's when Latvala will be celebrated as a champion.

If Räikkönen and Latvala were the icemen of the weekend then the actual frostman was Mikko Hirvonen who frosted his nerves. Hirvonen's second win in a row from Sweden restored both his own as his team's confidence.

Wilson especially praised his more experienced driver's performance that was almost perfect and came under the hardest pressure on Sunday morning.

The first victory with the new WRC-car is an important milestone for Ford and it's crowned by a triple victory, but the truth is that it's impossible to say at this point if Ford has been able to get ahead of Citroen in the long run also.

Turun Sanomat, Hagfors

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Iltasanomat (paper edition): Great race, Kimi

by Janne Aittoniemi

Kimi Räikkönen proved that he has clearly improved as a rally driver.

According to many people Kimi drove his best rally so far in Sweden.

- Oh well, I'm satisfied although I could have gone faster. The beginning was a bit difficult but the driving got better towards the end, Räikkönen said after the race had ended.

Räikkönen was 8th in Sweden and was rewarded with 4 WC-points. Of course he has got better positions in his rallying career. Last season he was 5th in Turkey and 7th in Germany.

However in Sweden there were more talented drivers - and what was most important, Räikkönen closed the gap to the lead and he didn't make any big mistakes.

Räikkönen lost the race to the winner Mikko Hirvonen by 7 minutes but without any problems the difference would have been about 5 and a half minutes. Kimi lost all and all 1,5 minutes without his own fault when he had a tyre puncture and one spin.

- We spun once but otherwise we got through without making bigger mistakes. The puncture doesnt' bug me and neither does anything else either. These things happen, Räikkönen thought.

The new WRC-car suits Räikkönen better than last season's Citroen.

- It's more nice to drive this one. This is smaller and quicker, Kimi said.

Räikkönen got into an especially good speed on Saturday when they drove the morning-stages for the second time. He was on four stages in top 6 in a row and shocked with even driving the 4th fastest time once.

Räikkönen proved us once again that he is more comfortable on high-speed roads instead of on tangling stages. He drove clearly more confident in Sweden than he did a year ago.

- It's cool to see that I have managed to learn at least a little during the year, Räikkönen said.

Courtesy: Nicole

The excellent pace of Räikkönen in seventh has attracted attention

Citroën privateer Kimi Raikkonen rose magnificently to seventh place from 11th place on Saturday in Rally Sweden. He was certainly helped by the misfortune of others, but the pace of Räikkönen was there in certain sections

Räikkönen gained positions immediately on the first stage of the morning when Henning Solberg (drove off the road) and Eyvind Brynildsen (engine trouble) retired. In addition, during the day P-G Andersson suffered from power steering problems.

Even though the bad luck of others helped Räikkönen rise in the standings, his speed should not be belittled. Räikkönen was among the eight fastest drivers all day and in afternoon when the roads had been cleared, his speed only increased.

On stages 13 and 14 Räikkönen posted the fifth quickest times. Mikko Hirvonen and Mads Östberg, among others, were left behind him.

On special stage 15 Räikkönen really got it right and posted the fourth fastest time which was only over 10 seconds slower than the fastest time set by Sebastien Loeb.

- The day has been pretty good. Some sections have been quite difficult but it turned out well. The car has felt good and it is great that we have brushed up on a lot today, Räikkönen told the WRC World Rally Radio.

Of course, Räikkönen benefited from a later starting position but many other drivers did as well. Among others, Matthew Wilson driving in Sweden for the fifth time and Patrik Sandell who drives in his home rally were constantly behind Räikkönen.

Last year in Sweden Räikkönen drove deep into the snow bank from 11th place and eventually finished in 29th place.

Source: YLE.fi
Courtesy: sleenster

Räikkönen happy with progress so far

Kimi Räikkönen says he is pleased with the progress he is making aboard his Citroën DS3 WRC - despite driving the car in untested conditions yesterday

The Finn drove a World Rally Car on a WRC event for the first time in Sweden last season and the ex-Formula One world champion admits he has come a long way in the last 12 months.

“My aim is the same as last year, we are driving in the same way and we’re trying to achieve the same thing,” said Räikkönen. “I want to get to know the car more. Still, at the moment, the car is capable of going faster than I am driving it, but we only had one day to test it and this will take more time. I tested for a day, but not in the conditions which we had yesterday morning, with the deeper snow - we tested in icier roads.”

Räikkönen is lying in ninth place, more than four minutes off the leader as the event closes on its halfway point.

His only problems so far have been a spin on SS2 and a puncture on the penultimate stage of day one.

“I touched the snowbank and the car turned around,” said the ICE 1 Racing driver. “But it was nice not to be digging this year like I was when I went off last year!”

Räikkönen’s co-driver Kaj Lindström admitted he has been impressed with what he has seen on their first return to a WRC round in a World Rally Car.

“It’s been a year, or almost a year, that he has been driving and the improvements have come, he’s driving very well.”

Source: WRC.com

Räikkönen is now the master of his own rally team

Kimi Räikkönen drives his blackish brand new Citroen DS3 WRC-car as the master of his ICE1 Racing team in Sweden. His mullet is even longer and can't be hidden underneath his big Red Bull -beanie. The speed has improved a bit since last year, now that this new car suits the man's driving style better

Yet Räikkönen says that nothing has changed from last year although his time with Citroen's Junior team ended.

– We did things the same way we did last year. It was better to come up with something and make an own team if I still wanted to drive rally. This was the easiest option, Räikkönen tells.

The model is the same as Petter Solberg's.

You registered to Sweden in the last minute. Was everything put together at the last moment?

– I wouldn't say that anything happened in the last moment, Räikkönen calms.

Was your continuance in rally clear already last autumn?

– No it wasn't but nothing would have changed even if we would have announced during the last race that we will drive this year also. We couldn't have drove any more than we could now because the new cars weren't ready.

Could you aswell had switched to Ford and drove rally with Fiesta?

– I would have got a good car from there too with the same system. There is no difference to last year. It's just easier for me to continue here because I already spent a year with these people.

A bunch of French speaking mechanics from Citroen are working around Räikkönen's car. Nobody outside the factory wouldn't even be allowed to touch the new cars, computers and engines.

Räikkönen keeps his possible goals as his own secret. It would be logical to go for 6th unless Ford has escaped from Citroen.

– Let's drive and see. After that we see how we do.

In Thursday shakedown Räikkönen drove seven times an 8 kilometer test stage. Is the car different when compared to C4 WRC?

– There aren't many differences. It's a Super 2000-style car. It's more good in your hands and I think it turns easier, Räikkönen said. He has the experience of four rallies in 2009 with Fiat S2000.

Does this fit your driving style better?

– So far it has felt pretty good. It's difficult to say how it will go when it's the real deal.

There was raining snow in Hagfors and it will rain at least until Friday morning. The new snow didn't fit Michelin's spiky tyres at all.

– The new tires seem to be tricky because once you got just a little on the snow there was no grip left and it went into a waterslide. Although snow is a great element under normal conditions, Räikkönen said.

Räikkönen tested only for one day the new car to Sweden.

– But that wasn't a full day either since the engine broke down because it had probably been used in all Citroen's tests.

Kaj Lindström quickly lists the differences between this year's and last year's Citroen.

– This is smaller by size, the engine is different and the transmission is ordered by a stick. The biggest difference is the lack of centerlocking. That's why the car is a bit different to drive when it rams a bit and doesn't turn as easily.

Räikkönen's schedule is so wide that some track races could be placed inbetween - like for example Le Mans 24 h in June?

– Let's see what happens. I don't know anything yet and I don't have anything to tell, Räikkönen said.

Then will we possibly see Räikkönen in a F1-car this year or sometime later?

– It's difficult to say, Räikkönen defined.
The Finn has been taken to Renault to replace Robert Kubica only in the wildest rumours.

Turun Sanomat, Hagfors

Courtesy: Nicole

Räikkönen happy with the DS3 WRC

Citroën Racing clients, Petter Solberg and Kimi Raïkkönen, also racked up the maximum number of kilometers with a few hours to go to the start.

“I already feel at home behind the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC,” smiled Norwegian Solberg this morning. “I’m ready to get the season off to a flying start, and I’m going to be fighting for the podium here in Sweden. The DS3 WRC is an easy car to drive and I can’t wait to be under starter’s orders!”

Parked a few metres away, Raïkkönen added: “I really like how the Citroën DS3 WRC handles. It’s more compact and easier to turn, I’m having fun behind the wheel. The conditions are different to our tests on ice. During the shakedown I kissed a wall of snow. We’ll see how things turn out during the rally.”

The crews are now heading off to Karlstad. Loeb will be attending a press conference at 13h30, and an autograph signing session will be held at 18h30 in Färestadstravet, the town’s race course, before the start of the first stage at 20h00.

Source: madeinmotorsport
Courtesy: Julia

Räikkönen free to return to F1 say Citroën

Kimi Räikkönen can pull out of the 2011 world rally championship to return to F1 if he wants to

That is the claim of Citroen’s rally chief Olivier Quesnel, amid reports the 2007 world champion is now contractually committed to rallying for this season.

The Finn and his management have not yet responded to multiple attempts by the formula one media to confirm rumours that Raikkonen, 31, is a candidate to replace the injured Robert Kubica at Renault this year.

After making his full-time world rally debut with Citroen last year, the former McLaren and Ferrari driver has announced he will drive a Citroen DS3 under the Ice 1 entry in 2011.

“If he wants to leave, I couldn’t say anything because he is a client,” Quesnel told RMC Sport.

“He has rented a car from us and drives with his own sponsors,” added the Citroen boss. “I suppose there may be considerable pressure from Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and the whole world of F1 who want to see him come back because he is still an emblematic driver for the sport.”

However, Quesnel indicated that he doesn’t think Raikkonen is too keen to go back to F1.

“If he is taking phone calls, they would have to be very convincing to get him back there,” he said.

Source: YallaF1