The Monaco Grand Prix is the longest event of the year. Five days, including three days of practice and racing, a day dedicated to media… and a day off on Friday. To keep busy, journalists have caught wind of this rumor about Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen. At 39 years old and already 16 seasons in the top category, the idea resurfaces: without a contract at Ferrari at the end of the season, this year will be “Iceman’s” last behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car.<\/p>\n
And for good reason, a strong element would this time support the theory: last Friday, Finnish media reported the words of Mia Miettinen, the executive vice president of Tommi M\u00e4kinen Racing, which manages Toyota’s WRC program. She admitted that the Japanese manufacturer would be “interested” in having R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen race in rally once his F1 driving career is over. Incidentally, Toyota Gazoo Racing is led by… Tommi M\u00e4kinen, a four-time world rally champion between 1996 and 1999. The Finnish media even reported that<\/p>\n
A mirage, for the moment<\/b><\/p>\n
The thing is, Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen has literally sidestepped any idea on this subject. \u00ab It has never been a secret, but I don’t have an agreement or contract of that kind. People make up and write all sorts of things about it, but it’s not my problem. \u00bb Recently, Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen mentioned his desire to continue in Formula 1 as long as \u00ab the joy of driving remains \u00bb, even if the decision is not in his hands but rather Ferrari’s board.<\/p>\n
I am only interested in rallying at the end of my Formula 1 career.<\/p>\n
Somewhat annoyed, the former Lotus driver has in any case taken aim at one of his famous compatriots, who speculated on the subject. \u00ab The funniest thing is that Mika Hakkinen confirmed this story. How much does he really know about my life? \u00bb<\/p>\n
In the same vein, R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen’s co-driver during his WRC years was surprised by such news. Kaj Lindstr\u00f6m said this to our colleagues at Motorsport.com:<\/p>\n
\u00ab This is the first time I’ve heard this news. If something like that happened, I would want to be the first to hear it from Tommi or Kimi. \u00bb<\/p>\n
On paper, such a partnership would look promising. Toyota returned to the WRC in 2017 and immediately regained a taste for the podium (at Monte Carlo during the first event) and victory in Sweden in the following race. Since then, the team has won another rally and secured ten podiums across the 2017 and 2018 seasons.<\/p>\n
On his side, Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen already has a small history as a professional rally driver. Sponsored by Red Bull, he participated in twelve of the thirteen rallies of the 2010 season, driving a Citro\u00ebn C4 WRC within the Citro\u00ebn Junior Team, a satellite of the main structure. His best result remains a fifth place at the 2010 Rally of Turkey. With his own team, ICE 1 Racing, technically supported by Citroen, he also participated in the 2011 season, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC. The adventure abruptly ended, as his team was disqualified from the end of the championship for not participating in the rallies they had chosen at the start of the season, according to the regulations. <\/p>\n
\n\u00bfHora de volver al WRC? Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen con opciones de llegar a Toyota https:\/\/t.co\/wrzwDCEWNM<\/a> #WRC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/L1nR97ThHw<\/a><\/p>\n