2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen has shown a deft hand at the wheel of a rally car, finishing an impressive 13th overall in the first round of the Finnish Rally Championship, the Arctic Lapland Rally, in his Grande Punto Abarth S2000.

2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen has shown a deft hand at the wheel of a rally car, finishing an impressive 13th overall in the first round of the Finnish Rally Championship, the Arctic Lapland Rally, in his Grande Punto Abarth S2000.

For Räikkönen, who was seated alongside experienced co-driver Kaj Lindström, it was a composed and consistent performance in his first-ever rally. Despite minimal experience of the car prior to the event, the Ferrari pilot made no mistakes over the twelve stages of the snow event, and progressively improved his position over the two days. Completing the first stage in 16th position, he ended the first day in the same position, having set fourth-fastest time on the short final stage of the day. He continued to make solid progress throughout leg 2, steadily climbing the leaderboard, including another fourth position on SS9, and 13th on the 28.56km final stage.

As well as being the first of the Super2000 category finishers, Räikkönen also acquitted himself very well against the other Formula 1 drivers past-and-present in the field. Although beaten by JJ Lehto, who finished ninth overall in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Kimi finished ahead of former two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen (19th).

Although Räikkönen owns the car in which he competed on the Arctic Lapland Rally, responsibility for running it fell to TMR, the rally preparation outfit owned by former rally star Tommi Mäkinen. Interviewed after the first stage, the former four-time world rally champion was impressed by his fellow Finn’s performance. “Kimi came to Rovaniemi on Tuesday night, did recce on Wednesday and Thursday [meaning that Kimi drove the stages only two times and had no other experience of the stages, unlike others who have competed in the event several times], had a 60 km test with car before the first stage, and sets these times,” he said. “He is a super talent also in rallying.”

The event was won by Juha Salo in a Mitsubishi Lancer, ahead of Kosti Katajamäki in a similar car and the Subaru Impreza of Jari Ketomaa.  Jussi Välimäki took out the Group A category, while in Group N up to 2000cc, the winner was Joonas Lindroos.

by Shant Fabricatorian