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Wednesday July 1, 2009

Raikkonen to take part in Rally Finland

LONDON: Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen will make his World Rally Championship (WRC) debut against the likes of Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen in his native Finland at the end of July, organisers said on Monday.

The 2007 F1 world champion, who has already competed in three non-championship rallies this year, will enter Rally Finland in a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto with compatriot Kaj Lindstrom as co-driver. Lindstrom was formerly co-driver to four-time world champion Tommi Makinen.

“Rally Finland is not going to be easy for sure,” said Lindstrom. “The rallies we have done so far have been smaller events, a three-day WRC round is much longer and more intense than those national events.

“We have two days to go through the recce (reconnaissance) and make the notes. Kimi makes very good pace notes but there will be pressure on for the recce.

“One of the hardest things for Kimi will be the speed of this event. Rally Finland and the roads used are so fast, like nothing we have done before.

“But, let’s not forget, this guy is a pretty good driver. He’s very talented and I’m sure he will cope fine.” — Reuters

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