Räikkönen is still attracted to rallying
After leaving Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season while driving for Ferrari, Kimi Räikkönen turned to rallying, a category he has always been passionate about. Despite his return to Lotus last season, the Finn still keeps his desire to race on the road in mind.
Last year, Kimi Räikkönen made a sensational return to Formula 1 with the Lotus team, finishing third in the championship and winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2012. After spending two years competing in the World Rally Championship, the Finn proved he hadn’t lost his ability to drive a single-seater.
However, rallying still fascinates the 2007 world champion just as much, and he does not rule out returning one day after his positive previous experience: « I still want to do rallying. I had a good time, even though I knew from the start it would be difficult. People think it was a failure for me, but not at all. I started with zero experience, and what I did wasn’t so bad. »
Recently, as part of a promotional event, Räikkönen drove a Renault Duster on the ice at the Moscow Hippodrome in Russia. An experience that rekindled the innate sliding skills common to all Finns: « It was nice to be back on the ice after so long. It was a change from Barcelona and my usual Formula 1. You need to have a very different driving style on ice. You have to be very gentle with the throttle and brakes and have a good feel for the steering. But a little slide can also be fun. »
But given Eric Boullier’s experience with Robert Kubica – who narrowly avoided hand amputation following a rally accident -, it is unlikely that he will allow his driver to participate in any rally competition during his contract.
