QUOTE (intelligentsia @ Feb 11 2010, 13:53) 
when will the action start?
Full Version: Kimi Raikkonen news and discussion thread (merged)
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when will the action start?
QUOTE (Taxi @ Feb 11 2010, 13:40)
when will the action start?
First special stage is at 8.00 pm tonight, Sweden time, first stage tomorrow morning at 8.00 Am Sweden time.
Edit: here's a pdf showing the itineraries.
http://www.rallysweden.com/wrc/doc/Rally%2...Itineraries.pdf
Kimi's benchmark is his team-mate Ogier not Loeb.
Kimi's times
Run 1: 2:11.2
Run 2: 2:06.3
Run 3: 2:03.9
Run 4: 2:00.7
Run 5: 1:59.7
Run 6: 1.59.3
Ogier's times
Run 1: 2:05.2
Run 2: 2:09.7 (mistake?)
Run 3: 1:58.9
Run 4: 1.57.4
Run 5: 1.57.5
That's not bad times by Kimi, but IMO the most representative times would be from the first two runs... when they arrive to a proper stage they won't do it 5 times. Anyway it's difficult to take anything from the shakedowns, as some drivers do not push much there to avoid taking risks, others attack a bit more to get into the rhythm.
Kimi's times
Run 1: 2:11.2
Run 2: 2:06.3
Run 3: 2:03.9
Run 4: 2:00.7
Run 5: 1:59.7
Run 6: 1.59.3
Ogier's times
Run 1: 2:05.2
Run 2: 2:09.7 (mistake?)
Run 3: 1:58.9
Run 4: 1.57.4
Run 5: 1.57.5
That's not bad times by Kimi, but IMO the most representative times would be from the first two runs... when they arrive to a proper stage they won't do it 5 times. Anyway it's difficult to take anything from the shakedowns, as some drivers do not push much there to avoid taking risks, others attack a bit more to get into the rhythm.
QUOTE (vtpachyderm @ Feb 11 2010, 04:31)
I was under the impression it was too expensive for him to buy - in fact, I don't think he's getting any help from Citroen either (Citroen Norway is a bit sponsor as far as I know). So, when it comes to spending your own money, I guess a 2010 car was not an option. Either way, he should be plenty competitive this year as opposed to last.
He'll have a car which is on par with Ogier and Kimi... but the chance to challenge for outright wins.... unfortunately I think not.
The dark horse for this event is going to be Marcus..... 3rd place overall is my prediction....
1: Loeb
2: Latvala
3: Gronholm...
Lets see how they go....
QUOTE (paranoik0 @ Feb 11 2010, 15:01)
Kimi's benchmark is his team-mate Ogier not Loeb.
Kimi's times
Run 1: 2:11.2
Run 2: 2:06.3
Run 3: 2:03.9
Run 4: 2:00.7
Run 5: 1:59.7
Run 6: 1.59.3
Ogier's times
Run 1: 2:05.2
Run 2: 2:09.7 (mistake?)
Run 3: 1:58.9
Run 4: 1.57.4
Run 5: 1.57.5
That's not bad times by Kimi, but IMO the most representative times would be from the first two runs... when they arrive to a proper stage they won't do it 5 times. Anyway it's difficult to take anything from the shakedowns, as some drivers do not push much there to avoid taking risks, others attack a bit more to get into the rhythm.
Kimi's times
Run 1: 2:11.2
Run 2: 2:06.3
Run 3: 2:03.9
Run 4: 2:00.7
Run 5: 1:59.7
Run 6: 1.59.3
Ogier's times
Run 1: 2:05.2
Run 2: 2:09.7 (mistake?)
Run 3: 1:58.9
Run 4: 1.57.4
Run 5: 1.57.5
That's not bad times by Kimi, but IMO the most representative times would be from the first two runs... when they arrive to a proper stage they won't do it 5 times. Anyway it's difficult to take anything from the shakedowns, as some drivers do not push much there to avoid taking risks, others attack a bit more to get into the rhythm.
Loeb is always the benchmark
If you wanna be the best you have to...
I also do not agree that the first run is the most representative since that run is where routine plays the most important role. Yes, it might be the best indication of what result he will have in this rally, but for his potential as a rally driver. I would have liked the 6th run to be a 58' though
QUOTE (Hairpin @ Feb 11 2010, 17:08)
Loeb is always the benchmark
If you wanna be the best you have to...
If you wanna be the best you have to...
establish realistic targets and a realistic improvement plan
you can't start benchmarking yourself to loeb it will not show too much value...obviously he's slower than loeb, but before beating loeb there are others around. try and beat those and then dare look at loeb's times.
kimi is not slow at all..actually i don't think he can be slow driving ANYTHING
.I hope he has the dedication to make the transition work. there will be hard times ahead...
QUOTE (Hairpin @ Feb 11 2010, 15:08)
Loeb is always the benchmark
If you wanna be the best you have to...
I also do not agree that the first run is the most representative since that run is where routine plays the most important role. Yes, it might be the best indication of what result he will have in this rally, but for his potential as a rally driver. I would have liked the 6th run to be a 58' though
If you wanna be the best you have to...
I also do not agree that the first run is the most representative since that run is where routine plays the most important role. Yes, it might be the best indication of what result he will have in this rally, but for his potential as a rally driver. I would have liked the 6th run to be a 58' though
I do not expect Kimi to beat or even match Ogier and definitely do not expect him to get anywhere close to Loeb! If anyone is going to be Kimi's benchmark, it's Block and even Block has the Edge in terms of rally experience. I've a feeling that Kimi's being built up by unrealistic fans and journos and is going to catch a lot of undeserved flack (as usual) when he does not live up to expectations.
Yes, he's a F1 WDC BUT driving a rally car while listening to pace notes on an unfamiliar course with variable grip is totally different to hammering around a GP circuit lap after lap, with a ton of aero downforce and huge, sticky tyres pushing the rear wheels. It will take a lot of races before he's able to do this without totally losing control of the car.
Either this is the year in which he gets the rallying bug out of his system and returns to F1 with more focus, or it's the beginning of a rally career... but don't expect anything too spectacular from him this year, it's a long, hard slog to the top!
Having said all that, he did jump into a Sauber with hardly any F1 experience and totally blitz the field, so maybe he can do it again. Let's wait and see, that's all I'm saying.
QUOTE (DrF @ Feb 11 2010, 16:27)
I do not expect Kimi to beat or even match Ogier and definitely do not expect him to get anywhere close to Loeb! If anyone is going to be Kimi's benchmark, it's Block and even Block has the Edge in terms of rally experience. I've a feeling that Kimi's being built up by unrealistic fans and journos and is going to catch a lot of undeserved flack (as usual) when he does not live up to expectations.
Yes, he's a F1 WDC BUT driving a rally car while listening to pace notes on an unfamiliar course with variable grip is totally different to hammering around a GP circuit lap after lap, with a ton of aero downforce and huge, sticky tyres pushing the rear wheels. It will take a lot of races before he's able to do this without totally losing control of the car.
Either this is the year in which he gets the rallying bug out of his system and returns to F1 with more focus, or it's the beginning of a rally career... but don't expect anything too spectacular from him this year, it's a long, hard slog to the top!
Having said all that, he did jump into a Sauber with hardly any F1 experience and totally blitz the field, so maybe he can do it again. Let's wait and see, that's all I'm saying.
Yes, he's a F1 WDC BUT driving a rally car while listening to pace notes on an unfamiliar course with variable grip is totally different to hammering around a GP circuit lap after lap, with a ton of aero downforce and huge, sticky tyres pushing the rear wheels. It will take a lot of races before he's able to do this without totally losing control of the car.
Either this is the year in which he gets the rallying bug out of his system and returns to F1 with more focus, or it's the beginning of a rally career... but don't expect anything too spectacular from him this year, it's a long, hard slog to the top!
Having said all that, he did jump into a Sauber with hardly any F1 experience and totally blitz the field, so maybe he can do it again. Let's wait and see, that's all I'm saying.
I don't expect him to beat Ogier or get close to Loeb either, not now. But Kimi is not in WRC to make up the numbers, he is there to eventually become a WRC.
1. Hirvonen
2. Loeb
3. Grönholm
4. Latvala
5. Sordo
6. H.Solberg
7. Østberg
8. Andersson
9. Wilson
10. Prokop
2. Loeb
3. Grönholm
4. Latvala
5. Sordo
6. H.Solberg
7. Østberg
8. Andersson
9. Wilson
10. Prokop
Press Conference:
Q:Kimi, welcome to the WRC. We will see you compete this year with the Citroën Junior team; is this year going to be one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career?
KR:I think it’s definitely going to be. It’s not going to be easy, I will enjoy it and enjoy the challenge. This will be one of the toughest events; the conditions are not easy. I need more time in the car to get used to it.
Q:The preparation is now complete, we have watched you test the car and compete at the Arctic Rally; do you feel fully ready to compete here in Sweden?
KR:Any kilometres we can do will obviously help. This is the learning process, we will learn a lot in Sweden and I expect once we go on the gravel it should be more easy. I hope we can finish and do some good times.
Q:What have you found the most enjoyable and the most difficult aspects of your WRC experience so far?
KR:Everything is nice. It’s all exciting. I did F1 for many years, and when you change it’s a nice experience. There are so many new things to learn. The difficult thing is to learn the roads and make the pace notes, that will take time to be as good as the others guys. This is the main thing, let’s see how it goes.
Q:Can you be in the top 10 here?
KR:That would be good. I really don’t have any idea where we’re going to be. We want some good speed. It’s more easy second time through (the stages); we will try to do the best we can.
Q:You’ve got World Champions sitting next to you. Have you had some good advice from them?
KR:They have been very helpful, but, unfortunately, you cannot teach the other guy to drive – you need to learn it yourself. It’s the experience that helps. They have maybe six years, Marcus has 20 years or something. It’s why I’m here to learn more.
Q:Kimi, how useful was the shakedown for tuning the car?
KR:We tried two things, but it was the first time since the Arctic Rally, so it was nice to get back in the car. The car feels okay, but I can improve my driving rather than changing the car.
Q:Kimi, what you think about rally people, the media and the people? Are they different from F1?
KR:So far, it’s been friendly, if it stays like that..! For sure it’s a different atmosphere. I have enjoyed it. It’s been positive.
Q:In the Arctic Rally you did some good times Kimi, you were one second behind Dani (Sordo) – is it possible to be one second behind the leader here?
KR:It will be more difficult. At least in the Arctic Rally, I was there one year before. If we can do that speed I’m very happy. But definitely the stages look very difficult and hopefully we’ve made good notes.
Q:Kimi, you have a one-year programme this year, will you try to build a career in WRC or go back to F1?
KR:I have not made my mind up. This year I have a contract with Red Bull and with Citroen helping me. I have no plans for next year or for the years after. If it goes well, there’s a good chance [to stay in WRC], if not then there’s nothing planned. After a year there might be some new plans, we’ll see.
Q:Kimi, welcome to the WRC. We will see you compete this year with the Citroën Junior team; is this year going to be one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career?
KR:I think it’s definitely going to be. It’s not going to be easy, I will enjoy it and enjoy the challenge. This will be one of the toughest events; the conditions are not easy. I need more time in the car to get used to it.
Q:The preparation is now complete, we have watched you test the car and compete at the Arctic Rally; do you feel fully ready to compete here in Sweden?
KR:Any kilometres we can do will obviously help. This is the learning process, we will learn a lot in Sweden and I expect once we go on the gravel it should be more easy. I hope we can finish and do some good times.
Q:What have you found the most enjoyable and the most difficult aspects of your WRC experience so far?
KR:Everything is nice. It’s all exciting. I did F1 for many years, and when you change it’s a nice experience. There are so many new things to learn. The difficult thing is to learn the roads and make the pace notes, that will take time to be as good as the others guys. This is the main thing, let’s see how it goes.
Q:Can you be in the top 10 here?
KR:That would be good. I really don’t have any idea where we’re going to be. We want some good speed. It’s more easy second time through (the stages); we will try to do the best we can.
Q:You’ve got World Champions sitting next to you. Have you had some good advice from them?
KR:They have been very helpful, but, unfortunately, you cannot teach the other guy to drive – you need to learn it yourself. It’s the experience that helps. They have maybe six years, Marcus has 20 years or something. It’s why I’m here to learn more.
Q:Kimi, how useful was the shakedown for tuning the car?
KR:We tried two things, but it was the first time since the Arctic Rally, so it was nice to get back in the car. The car feels okay, but I can improve my driving rather than changing the car.
Q:Kimi, what you think about rally people, the media and the people? Are they different from F1?
KR:So far, it’s been friendly, if it stays like that..! For sure it’s a different atmosphere. I have enjoyed it. It’s been positive.
Q:In the Arctic Rally you did some good times Kimi, you were one second behind Dani (Sordo) – is it possible to be one second behind the leader here?
KR:It will be more difficult. At least in the Arctic Rally, I was there one year before. If we can do that speed I’m very happy. But definitely the stages look very difficult and hopefully we’ve made good notes.
Q:Kimi, you have a one-year programme this year, will you try to build a career in WRC or go back to F1?
KR:I have not made my mind up. This year I have a contract with Red Bull and with Citroen helping me. I have no plans for next year or for the years after. If it goes well, there’s a good chance [to stay in WRC], if not then there’s nothing planned. After a year there might be some new plans, we’ll see.
Well, so far - based on some no doubt unrepresentative shakedown times - my boy seems to compare to his teammate about as well/badly as that Wilson kid does to his; he's slow for a WRC driver but passably speedy for a marketing gimmick which isn't too bad if you take his lack of rallying experience into account. Now I await with anticipation (well, not really but I'm bored) whether he manages to be passably speedy through actual special stages without crashing into stuff and/or mowing down too many unsuspecting letterboxes, pine trees, forest animals, spectators etc.
QUOTE (Hairpin @ Feb 11 2010, 15:35)
I don't expect him to beat Ogier or get close to Loeb either, not now. But Kimi is not in WRC to make up the numbers, he is there to eventually become a WRC.
I´ve said this before but still; Kimi has said many times he wants to try driving a WRC car.
I wouldn´t count him chasing WRC title with the new cars after this season. After all, moving from WRC to S2000 is something like moving from F1 to F3..? Maybe he just doesn´t find it satisfying enough??
Räikkönen sweared to the spectators walking on the road
Kimi Räikkönen cursed to the ill-behaved swedish spectators in Swedish rally test special stage.
Räikkönen admits that he heated up behind the wheel.
- I am swearing there [in the car] if there are spectators on the road, like today they walked there two times, the Iceman told about his reaction to MTV3.
Räikkönen drove the shakedown through six times improving his time every time.
- Driving was little lost in the beginning. It took a couple of times for me to again get used to the car, Kimi commented.
The fastest driver on the test-SS, Sebastien Loeb, ran 6 seconds away from Räikkönen in the 4 kilometre long stage.
- I'm quite a lot of years behind the top-drivers in experience. Of course I develop all the time but it will take time before I'm fast enough, but that's just normal. People are expecting that I should be fast right away but I don't have that kind of expectations myself because I know that this is only in the initial stage and everything is new. Let's go step by step, Räikkönen told.
Räikkönen predicts that he will be left further from the top in Swedish Rally than in Rovaniemi in Arctic-rally, where he lost about 0,9 seconds per kilometer to Citroen's Daniel Sordo. Räikkönen is driving the Swedish rally's special stages in the coming weekend for the first time.
- Here it is more difficult than in Arctic-rally where I had one year experience. The fast stages seem difficult here. I'll try my best and let's see how it goes, Kimi said.
Getting experience of Citroen's WRC-car is the most important thing for Kimi at the moment.
- Experience makes the biggest difference, that can't be taught. I can improve more by driving than by doing changes to my car, Kimi said.
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.s...2010/02/1054526
(Translation thanks to Leijona)
Kimi Räikkönen cursed to the ill-behaved swedish spectators in Swedish rally test special stage.
Räikkönen admits that he heated up behind the wheel.
- I am swearing there [in the car] if there are spectators on the road, like today they walked there two times, the Iceman told about his reaction to MTV3.
Räikkönen drove the shakedown through six times improving his time every time.
- Driving was little lost in the beginning. It took a couple of times for me to again get used to the car, Kimi commented.
The fastest driver on the test-SS, Sebastien Loeb, ran 6 seconds away from Räikkönen in the 4 kilometre long stage.
- I'm quite a lot of years behind the top-drivers in experience. Of course I develop all the time but it will take time before I'm fast enough, but that's just normal. People are expecting that I should be fast right away but I don't have that kind of expectations myself because I know that this is only in the initial stage and everything is new. Let's go step by step, Räikkönen told.
Räikkönen predicts that he will be left further from the top in Swedish Rally than in Rovaniemi in Arctic-rally, where he lost about 0,9 seconds per kilometer to Citroen's Daniel Sordo. Räikkönen is driving the Swedish rally's special stages in the coming weekend for the first time.
- Here it is more difficult than in Arctic-rally where I had one year experience. The fast stages seem difficult here. I'll try my best and let's see how it goes, Kimi said.
Getting experience of Citroen's WRC-car is the most important thing for Kimi at the moment.
- Experience makes the biggest difference, that can't be taught. I can improve more by driving than by doing changes to my car, Kimi said.
http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.s...2010/02/1054526
(Translation thanks to Leijona)
Petters damaged his car, taken the wing off apparently.
This Ogier kid's quite good - second only to Sordo atm. although not everyone is pushing..
edit: Kimi was 5s from the lead...
edit: Kimi was 5s from the lead...
Yep, Kimi in 8th, pretty good so far.
QUOTE (CoolFiltered @ Feb 11 2010, 21:35)
Yep, Kimi in 8th, pretty good so far.
how did it look in terms of pace?
EK 1/21:
1. Dani Sordo Citroen 1.31,4
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen +2,0
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford +2,1
4. Sebastien Loeb Citroen +2,3
5. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford +2,6
" Marcus Grönholm Ford +2,6
7. Matthew Wilson Ford +3,9
8. Kimi Räikkönen Citroen +5,1
" Mads Östberg Subaru +5,1
10. Khalid Al Qassimi Ford +5,2
11. P-G Andersson Skoda +5,7
12. Henning Solberg Ford +5,7
1. Dani Sordo Citroen 1.31,4
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen +2,0
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford +2,1
4. Sebastien Loeb Citroen +2,3
5. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford +2,6
" Marcus Grönholm Ford +2,6
7. Matthew Wilson Ford +3,9
8. Kimi Räikkönen Citroen +5,1
" Mads Östberg Subaru +5,1
10. Khalid Al Qassimi Ford +5,2
11. P-G Andersson Skoda +5,7
12. Henning Solberg Ford +5,7
Divide the difference in time to the leader by the length of the special stage. That's what we will use to determine his "pace". In the Arctic Lapland Rally it was just under 1 second per kilometre excluding the crash. It would be a very good achievement if Kimi could keep it at that level in this rally too but I doubt it, even the experienced drivers in the WRC have at times lost that much per kilometre to the leader (Hirvonen - Loeb just a few years ago) so it's a tall order to expect it from Kimi.
But this special stage was so short that it doesn't matter much. We will see tomorrow.
But this special stage was so short that it doesn't matter much. We will see tomorrow.
That's a good time by Kimi, but the special stage is almost as meaningless as the shakedown. Waiting eagerly to know how he'll do tomorrow.
QUOTE (Taxi @ Feb 11 2010, 19:43)
how did it look in terms of pace?
It looked okay, he said they were taking it easy, as others have said tomorrow will give a better indication, he certainly seems up for it.
it would be fine that Kimi could reach the points in his first rally.
My predictions for Sweden final classification:
1. Hirvonen
2. Loeb
3. Gronholm
4. Latvala
5. Sordo
6. P Solberg
7. Ogier
8. H Solberg
9. Wilson
10. Raikkonen
Ostberg to battle for 7th with Ogier before crashing out.
1. Hirvonen
2. Loeb
3. Gronholm
4. Latvala
5. Sordo
6. P Solberg
7. Ogier
8. H Solberg
9. Wilson
10. Raikkonen
Ostberg to battle for 7th with Ogier before crashing out.
QUOTE (Taxi @ Feb 11 2010, 19:52)
it would be fine that Kimi could reach the points in his first rally.
It's not too difficult with the new points system that gives points to the top 10. There's 12 WRC cars, all Kimi has to do is to beat Al-Qassimi and wait for a front-runner to DNF.
QUOTE (Taxi @ Feb 11 2010, 19:52)
it would be fine that Kimi could reach the points in his first rally.
Lets be honest, it's not exactly out of the realms of possibility given that the points system was revised this week!
heheheh several going for the old warhorse to take 3rd..! 
Just curious...Anyone know when/if Ken Block's WRC season begins?
QUOTE (fer312t @ Feb 11 2010, 20:14)
Just curious...Anyone know when/if Ken Block's WRC season begins?
Mexico I believe?
QUOTE (Anssi @ Feb 11 2010, 19:46)
Divide the difference in time to the leader by the length of the special stage. That's what we will use to determine his "pace". In the Arctic Lapland Rally it was just under 1 second per kilometre excluding the crash. It would be a very good achievement if Kimi could keep it at that level in this rally too but I doubt it, even the experienced drivers in the WRC have at times lost that much per kilometre to the leader (Hirvonen - Loeb just a few years ago) so it's a tall order to expect it from Kimi.
But this special stage was so short that it doesn't matter much. We will see tomorrow.
But this special stage was so short that it doesn't matter much. We will see tomorrow.
I predict second per kilometre is rather unrealistic at this point. As you point out, it is common for experienced rally drivers to lose that much, in comparison to Loeb & co.
First rallies will be little more than learning experiences for Kimi, I think.
QUOTE (CoolFiltered @ Feb 11 2010, 12:05)
Thanks for sharing that!
QUOTE
I’ve been lucky enough to spend a bit of time with Kimi away from the track, and I would always argue that contrary to popular belief, he is one of the most interesting drivers you could meet. He is great fun to be with, and is also a decent human being. Many of his rivals, at least those who occasionally hang out with him, would agree with me. Just ask Pedro de la Rosa, his former McLaren team mate. You couldn’t meet two drivers with such different public personas, and yet Pedro regards Kimi as one his closest pals in the sport.
The latter part was something new to me. I knew the two got along, but I didn't know "Pedro regards Kimi as one his closest pals in the sport"...
QUOTE
There’s no doubt that he’s deadly serious about getting decent results, and podium finishes are his target. “That’s why I want to have a good car, because in the end I want to do my best and try to get as high up as I can. I have no interest to go there and just drive around, it’s definitely to try to get good results.”
When I asked what type of surface he expected to do better on, he had no doubts about where he would feel most at home.
“I would say the tarmac should be the easiest one, I did a little bit with my Fiat on asphalt. For sure you can read the road more easily just because you’ve done so much on tarmac in F1, it gives you a better feeling. Snow is the most difficult thing. I’ve done most of my rallying in the snow, but it’s still the most challenging thing.
“You’re doing some places 200 between the trees and for sure it’s different than F1, but that’s part of the whole sport. You can get hurt, so you’d better stay on the road!
When I asked what type of surface he expected to do better on, he had no doubts about where he would feel most at home.
“I would say the tarmac should be the easiest one, I did a little bit with my Fiat on asphalt. For sure you can read the road more easily just because you’ve done so much on tarmac in F1, it gives you a better feeling. Snow is the most difficult thing. I’ve done most of my rallying in the snow, but it’s still the most challenging thing.
“You’re doing some places 200 between the trees and for sure it’s different than F1, but that’s part of the whole sport. You can get hurt, so you’d better stay on the road!
On topic: Good time by Kimi on the first stage, but as you have said it is hardly relevant.
QUOTE (CoolFiltered @ Feb 11 2010, 22:05)
Good article
Mika warns Kimi over his Rally move:
But while Raikkonen hopes for an easy transition from F1’s smooth tarmac to rally’s more testing terrain, Hakkinen expects his countryman to struggle to get to grips with his new career choice.
“I tried rally many times and if you want to be at the top of the podium in rally, it’s going to take a massively long time,” said Hakkinen, who was in the capital yesterday announcing the shortlists for the Laureus Sports Awards.
“In Kimi’s case, he is a fantastically talented driver and he has all the chances, but it takes time. It takes years before you can perform at the top level. And the media is going to focus on him – especially in Finland. He has to be careful and really work hard.”
Raikkonen is famed for his withdrawn demeanour and an eagerness to shun the spotlight, but Hakkinen, the F1 world champion in 1998 and 1999, says such characteristics will have to change if the 30-year-old plans to reach his full potential in the WRC.
“He will have to work even harder than he did in Formula One, not only on the driving side, but also outside the driving: teamwork, media work, etc,” said Hakkinen, who retired from racing in 2001 after winning 20 grands prix in a career that spanned a decade.
“You have to co-operate and it’s challenging – there is no escape. In every sport you cannot just perform your sport, you have to do everything that goes on around it. You have to face the challenge.”
Raikkonen, who competed in last year’s Rally Finland and was placed 15th shortly before crashing out on the penultimate day’s final stage, said he is ready for the test that lies ahead.
“My goal is simply to do my best with the Citroen C4 WRC. My debut [season] in the World Rally Championship is an enormous challenge, but any driver who has competed in motorsport at a certain level always maintains the same way of working and the same desire to push themselves,” he said.
The 18-time grand prix winner hinted he may return to F1 next year, with Red Bull Racing being strongly linked. Raikkonen held talks with McLaren-Mercedes before opting to quit the sport.
“I think the decision to go to the WRC was perfect for him: he wanted to go to rally so why not let it be like that,” said Hakkinen.
“In Formula One, when you are a champion, you can always come back – always there are doors open. The question is which teams offer seats. You will always get a drive, but you want to come back in a winning team with a winning car. That is the target.”
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....702119918/1004
But while Raikkonen hopes for an easy transition from F1’s smooth tarmac to rally’s more testing terrain, Hakkinen expects his countryman to struggle to get to grips with his new career choice.
“I tried rally many times and if you want to be at the top of the podium in rally, it’s going to take a massively long time,” said Hakkinen, who was in the capital yesterday announcing the shortlists for the Laureus Sports Awards.
“In Kimi’s case, he is a fantastically talented driver and he has all the chances, but it takes time. It takes years before you can perform at the top level. And the media is going to focus on him – especially in Finland. He has to be careful and really work hard.”
Raikkonen is famed for his withdrawn demeanour and an eagerness to shun the spotlight, but Hakkinen, the F1 world champion in 1998 and 1999, says such characteristics will have to change if the 30-year-old plans to reach his full potential in the WRC.
“He will have to work even harder than he did in Formula One, not only on the driving side, but also outside the driving: teamwork, media work, etc,” said Hakkinen, who retired from racing in 2001 after winning 20 grands prix in a career that spanned a decade.
“You have to co-operate and it’s challenging – there is no escape. In every sport you cannot just perform your sport, you have to do everything that goes on around it. You have to face the challenge.”
Raikkonen, who competed in last year’s Rally Finland and was placed 15th shortly before crashing out on the penultimate day’s final stage, said he is ready for the test that lies ahead.
“My goal is simply to do my best with the Citroen C4 WRC. My debut [season] in the World Rally Championship is an enormous challenge, but any driver who has competed in motorsport at a certain level always maintains the same way of working and the same desire to push themselves,” he said.
The 18-time grand prix winner hinted he may return to F1 next year, with Red Bull Racing being strongly linked. Raikkonen held talks with McLaren-Mercedes before opting to quit the sport.
“I think the decision to go to the WRC was perfect for him: he wanted to go to rally so why not let it be like that,” said Hakkinen.
“In Formula One, when you are a champion, you can always come back – always there are doors open. The question is which teams offer seats. You will always get a drive, but you want to come back in a winning team with a winning car. That is the target.”
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....702119918/1004
8th for today.
good article.
good article.
QUOTE (dank @ Feb 11 2010, 12:17)
Mexico I believe?
Correct sir..
QUOTE (intelligentsia @ Feb 11 2010, 10:53)
Press Conference:
Q:Kimi, how useful was the shakedown for tuning the car?
KR:We tried two things, but it was the first time since the Arctic Rally, so it was nice to get back in the car. The car feels okay, but I can improve my driving rather than changing the car.
Q:Kimi, how useful was the shakedown for tuning the car?
KR:We tried two things, but it was the first time since the Arctic Rally, so it was nice to get back in the car. The car feels okay, but I can improve my driving rather than changing the car.
Awesome.
QUOTE (OfficeLinebacker @ Feb 12 2010, 10:27)
Awesome.
There's something thousands of karting and formula bmw etc drivers could learn from Kimi - stop changing the damn setup when you're not even driving the thing properly yet!
CoolFiltered: Thanks for the Adam Cooper article.
Can't see him on the charts, must be out again.
No sorry, 56s behind Loeb.
QUOTE (saunarobot @ Feb 12 2010, 08:55)
No sorry, 56s behind Loeb.
He was stuck behind Al Qassimi for half of the stage.
QUOTE (Cheap Wine Alesi @ Feb 12 2010, 09:56)
He was stuck behind Al Qassimi for half of the stage.
Al Quassimi should have let him through, he already lost time by driving of the road.
Kimi:
QUOTE
"He drove in front of us for half the stage. We didn't see anything. It wasn't the best possible start to the rally"
www.mtv3.fi
SS3 Viggen1
Kimi P 11
38s from Loeb
26s from Ogier
Kimi P 11
38s from Loeb
26s from Ogier
Few tenhts away from anticipated pace, I think. Having said that, Sordo is running extremely well. So the gap in Arcitc rally seem now much smaller than previously thought. Sordo is right up with the leaders so he is doing well. Maybe Kimi is apprehensive with unknown roads. I guess they will run stages second time, so maybe Kimi has room to improve.
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