Kimi’s year-off might just be permanent
December 8, 2009 by SJ Skid
Filed under People & Events
There’s some bad news circulating for Kimi Raikkonen’s Formula 1 fans.
Citroen racing chief Olivier Quesnel over the weekend talked about the possibility that a good year in rally could see Kimi promoted to the outfit’s top team, making the switch to the World Rally Championship a permanent one.
Here’s a badly translated quote via Auto Hebdo:
“It is clear that if he progresses and shows the level, also without asking the impossible for a first season, he could slide into the first team (2011). If it’s hard, maybe return there in F1. It is he who will [decide].”
Quesnel spoke on a program called “RMC Motors.”
The general consensus I’ve taken away from comments on F1B is that if Kimi likes rallying as much as he seems to already and he does well, he’ll stick with it.
There’s also this motivation for him: In 2011, could he be the guy to knock Sebastien Loeb from his thrown and also become an F1 and WRC champion in the process?
Heck, maybe he challenges for that in 2010.
I do think there could be a lot of reasons for Kimi to stick with rallying and never return to an F1 grid. Agree?
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I warned you all… WRC is real driving – 65% driver, 35% car. That suits Kimi to the ground. Now, if he does well, we’ve lost him. If not, he’ll drive Le Mans… mark my words.
agreeed pete. Also, he already drove for and won championships with the top team in f1 (and possibly racing in general) history, so he really doesn’t have much to prove around there.
I have to add this…WRC needs Kimi right now. they are in a war for fans and viewers with the IRC and the high profile of Raikkonen might help. Loeb is the man but people, like Schumi, get bored with domination. Kimi in WRC might be the shot in the arm the series needs and they may be willing to pay him to stay. :)
Oh, and let’s add one more thing to the mix – WRC is run by – you guessed it – Bernie.