Manager outlines Räikkönen’s racing plans

Kimi Räikkönen’s current racing agenda has been outlined to GPUpdate.net this week by the Finn’s long-term manager, Steve Robertson. The 18-time Grand Prix winner is currently contesting the World Rally Championship (WRC) with ICE 1 Racing and will continue to do so while embarking on his new NASCAR ambitions.

The ex-Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari Formula 1 driver signed a deal with Kyle Busch Motorsports earlier in April to compete in the NASCAR Truck Series and Robertson has explained that, if Räikkönen’s selected races prove enjoyable throughout the season, the 31-year-old could commit himself to the sport.

"He’s got a plan for this year, so he’s doing some races this year in the trucks and also the Nationwide cars," Robertson told GPUpdate.net.

"That’s happening very, very soon. Obviously he’s got a pretty heavy programme with WRC as well and he’s going to combine the both, which is not so easy to do, but that’s what he wants to do.

"But (his move to NASCAR is) with a view for possibly 2012 and 2013, but he wants to see if he enjoys it first before he makes a decision as to what he does."

Source: GPUpdate.net

Kimi: fewer applications, more tests

Ex-F1 world champion Kimi Räikkönen will remain faithful to the World Rally Championship. But the Finn will change his tactics and plans to place more emphasis on testing

With his own team "ICE 1 racing" Kimi Räikkönen returns to the World Rally Championship in 2011. For a long time the rumour mill was buzzing that the Finn would withdraw completely, "but that was totally wrong," said his manager, Steve Robertson.

Räikkönen will take part in ten out of 13 of the World Rally Championship races with a Citroën WRC DS3. The expensive overseas rallies are omitted for budget reasons. Kimi will make good use of the resulting free time. Additional tests are planned to gather further experience.

For 2012, the signs are good that Räikkönen will remain in the WRC. After a two year break, he believes there little chance that he will return to Formula 1. “It’s not impossible, but it certainly makes it harder to go back, the longer you leave it,” said Kimi. “If I missed Formula One I would have gone back, but in fact I haven’t missed it at all.”

Source: Rallye-Magazin
Courtesy: sleenster

Manager confirms to MTV3: Kimi's career will continue

Kimi Räikkönen's manager Steve Robertson, knocks out the talk of the F1 world champion would take a year off at the motor sports

Räikkönen got some sad news during Christmas when his Matti-dad suddenly died after an illness-attack. According to rumours Kimi put all negotiations in ice and even started to consider stopping his career.

- There has been a lot of talk about it and of course he is sad over his father passing away which is normal. Yet talks about him keeping a break are pure speculation, Robertson told.

Robertson told that he is still negotiating with several quarters. According to some rumours the deal with Citroen might be announced soon.

- I'm pretty sure that Kimi is still in motorsporting, Robertson assured.

The manager didn't want to comment if Räikkönen could possibly drive in some other serie than WRC.

- Kimi is a WDC in F1 so of course Kimi has had other options too. However at this moment we don't have anything to announce, Robertson emphasised.

There might be some news concerning Räikkönen's future to be expected soon.

- We are now in January so I don't think it takes much longer anymore, Robertson promised.

Source: MTV3
Courtesy: Claudie and Nicole