Kimi Raikkonen, former Formula One world champion, is now driving for the French automobile company Citroen in the World Rally Championship. The Finn told DNA in an interview on email that he is enjoying the challenge of being a rally driver. Excerpts:
What will it take to succeed in rallying?
Time and experience. There is a lot to get used to, especially things like making the pace notes.
Have you made any adjustment to your driving style and approach towards racing to suit the needs of WRC?
Yes, of course; you have to change everything as rallying is completely different to circuit racing. It is a whole new driving style with nothing in common with Formula 1 — apart from maybe a steering wheel.
What will be your objective for the 2010 WRC season?
I don’t have any particular objectives; I just want to do my best and learn a bit more about the rally world in order to be competitive.
What will it be like to race against WRC legends like Sebastian Loeb?
I think it will be a lot of fun. But throughout my career, I’ve been used to competing against top drivers, so this is just part of motorsport for me. You always want to be measured against the best people.
What was your reason for quitting Formula One and joining WRC?
I had some possibilities to carry on in Formula 1, but I decided to go rallying as it has always been something that has interested me, right from when I was a kid.
Will you come back to Formula One, or you are done with it?
I’m not sure what my plans for the future will be yet. I’m still at the stage of my first world championship rally this year, so I need time to get used to this environment and decide what I want to do. It’s too early to think about that yet. For now I just want to concentrate on my current challenge. Then later in the year I will think about the future.
What’s the secret behind Finland producing so many great drivers, be it in Formula One or the WRC?
I don’t really know, maybe it’s because we are used to driving on gravel roads or snow and ice from a young age. But to tell you the truth, I don’t know; for me it is something that comes quite naturally.
Are you satisfied with what you have achieved in Formula One? Do you wish you had won more titles?
As a driver you are never really happy as you always want to achieve more, but I am satisfied that I did my best and did a good job.
What is your view on Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One?
Obviously it is something he wanted to do and good luck to him. But it is nothing to do with me, I am concentrating on my own challenges this year.
