Räikkönen participated in the Rally Finland this weekend

The Finnish Kimi Räikkönen participated for the fifth time in a rally, and for the first time in WRC. Present in Finland, his home country, the Scuderia Ferrari driver took part in the Finnish rally counting for the WRC World Championship. He drove a FIAT Grande Punto Abarth in the S2000 category.

Räikkönen will never finish the rally, due to an accident in the 19th stage, almost at the same place where Mads Otsenberg lost control of his car a few minutes earlier. However, he impressed the other WRC drivers, including Sébastien Loeb. Co-driven by Kaj Lindstrom, Räikkönen was ranked 3rd among the S2000 crews and 15th in the overall standings at the 18th stage at the end of the 2nd leg.

Tapio Laukkanen, the driver who gave up his spot to Räikkönen in the Grande Punto of Tommi Makkinen Racing explains: « He was very impressive. I took the co-driver’s seat during the first stages and helped him to get his bearings. But he doesn’t need me. He’s a very good driver. He’s shown it in F1, then in motorbikes and snowmobiles, but also in rallying. It’s talent and he has talent in all motor sports. He already has very good instincts and takes these turns in a very smooth manner, without aggression. »

The Finn explains the reason for his withdrawal during the 19th stage: « In the corner, he went wide, then while sideways he dug into the dirt, and consequently, the car rolled over, two or three times. He broke his suspension and couldn’t start again. His engine was giving out anyway, he was already losing a lot of time due to a hydraulic problem. »

Kimi Räikkönen has been in Formula 1 since 2001 but is showing increasing interest in rallying. The Finn practices the sport whenever his free time allows and has nothing against a future or a career change in rallying: « I am still in Formula 1 and I have a contract to respect for another year but after this date, anything can happen… »

« Everything remains open, and I must say that I have always loved rallying. It was good to be part of the competitors this weekend and to learn a little more about this category. I am too young to stop competing, so even if I stop Formula 1, I should do something else! » continues the 29-year-old Finn.

« Maybe my future is in Formula 1, it simply depends on how things unfold. Racing in Rally is something that no one can predict several years in advance. I’m not in a hurry so I can take my time. I have at least a year to choose my future, » he concluded.

The Opening Super Special of the Rally Finland with Kimi Räikkönen:

Räikkönen’s crash in special stage 19: