Kimi determined to keep rallying

Reuters - Thu, 29 Oct 16:44:00 2009

Kimi Raikkonen says he is determined to keep up his rallying activities wherever the Finn ends up after leaving Ferrari at the end of the Formula One season.

FORMULA 1 2009 Kimi Raikkonen - 0

"If I do Formula One, it's going to be in the contract that I'm allowed to do it (rallying)," he said.

"It's not going to hurt you. Any kind of driving is always going to give you some experience, so I don't see what's the issue.

"It's been working well this year, so as long as it doesn't disturb what you're doing in Formula One or whatever you do, I don't see that there's any problem," added the 2007 world champion.

Sunday's race will be Raikkonen's last for Ferrari after three years with the Italian team and he refused to be drawn on his future.

"Basically I have a few different options and we will see what is the best one overall and then make my decision," he said.

"It (rallying) is definitely one of them, but I mean it is not just Formula One and rallying. There are other things I could do and we will see what happens."

Asked whether his plans might include taking a year out, he replied: "I can if I want. I can do whatever I want, but like I said before, I haven't made my decision what I want to do yet."

The 30-year-old competed in this year's Finnish round of the world rally championship in a Fiat after also entering three non-championship rallies.

Since his departure from Ferrari was announced, with Renault's double world champion Fernando Alonso taking his place, Raikkonen has been linked to a return to his former team McLaren.

Toyota have also made the Finn an offer. Raikkonen was his usual impassive self when asked his thoughts about leaving Ferrari.

"It is not any different than a few races ago. I don't have a contract any more with them. It is the last race and we try to make a good result and we will see what happens in the future," he said.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. You said that already Jack

    From Donald D, on Fri 30 Oct 8:47AM

  2. No matter what is your decision i am always your fans.­ Wish you all the best in your last race as a ferari­ driver.

    From jack, on Fri 30 Oct 6:32AM

  3. No matter what is your decision i am always your fans.­ Wish you all the best in your last race as a ferari­ driver.

    From jack, on Fri 30 Oct 6:32AM

  4. No F1 without you Kimi. Here in India there are lots of­ fans support you and wanted you to be in F1. Mclaren­ will be a nice option for you as you are always­ recognized with that team. Its because of you we­ started supporting ferrari and now if u r making a­ comeback to Maclaren then we will be most happier fans­ as we can support our favorite driver with favorite­ team.come on Kimi F1 needs you so don't leave the­ sport.

    From Abhijith, on Fri 30 Oct 6:28AM

  5. if he goes to rallying, then he will never be a­ contender. surely he will stay in f1 and his best­ option is mclaren. Come on kimi, it's time to lower­ your price demands! you should sign now the­ mclaren's contract and prepare to kick a$$$ next­ season.

    From aldousduke, on Fri 30 Oct 2:19AM

  6. if kimi goes to mclaren next year, surely he and­­ hamilton will kick ferrari's a$$. it will be a 3­­ way battle for mclaren, brawn gp, and redbull. ferrari­­ should be way out. i think alonso and massa can never­­ get along because they are both latin and alonso is­­ askin to be the number 1 driver. too bad for ferrari­­ bringing in santander to recover their financial woes­­ with the spanish bank demanding to have a spanish­­ driver.

    From aldousduke, on Fri 30 Oct 2:14AM

  7. # 4 Donald .
    This Finn will make up his own mind ,he­ most likely has SIGNED his contract already .
    He has­ $$$ so he can start with with one of the new teams­ .......that would stimulate his interest in F1 back to­ 100 %.
    I am outdated with this info but does anyone­ know if his manager is still Keke Rosberg ,who also­ manages his son Nico ? who also is 1/2 a Finn .

    From tuula, on Thu 29 Oct 6:46PM

  8. It sounds like he is throwing out his exorbitant salary­ demands on the gamble a team will be foolish enough to­ pay him, and if he doesn't get it , he will just be­ happy to go rallying.

    From x, on Thu 29 Oct 6:35PM

  9. He's not coming over as motivated to drive in F1­ next year is he? I think it will count against him if­ he's not careful. If he waits much longer, he will­ have his mind made up for him.

    From Donald D, on Thu 29 Oct 5:24PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Somehow I do not see Kimi earning 27.35 million squid­ to drive a Punto into 15th place :-) But then he might­ be lucky to earn 10 million to drive and F1 Car for the­ Mercedes 'B' team :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Thu 29 Oct 5:07PM

  11. Sweet jesus, £27 million a year and the guy aint even­ committed to the sport. Kimi, you are effing so rich­ you could go and buy a rallying team and spend the rest­ of your life rallying, so why don't you just effing­ well eff off and effing do it!!!!!

    From Cashel, on Thu 29 Oct 5:02PM

  12. i would like to see him at Mclaren, he is a better­ driver than LH, but he is like mikki if he feels the­ car will not win the race, a lot of fins seem to drive­ at 90%
    with Kov he seems to be fuel more than LH i­ don;t kimi would put up with that
    it would be a shame­ not to see him in F1 next year

    From ian t, on Thu 29 Oct 5:00PM
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