Ex-F1 champion and current Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen took to the WRC circuit today for the Rally Finland in glorious sunshine.
A huge cheer was heard when he arrived for the start of the 2.06km SS1 Killeri stage in his Fiat Grande Punto S2000, with the Finn clocking a respectable 1:26.7, which was only 6.4 seconds from rally ace and last years Rally Finland winner Sebastian Loeb.
He was narrowly beaten on the first stage by team-mate Anton Alen by 0.1 seconds.
For Kimi the press conference was over-shaddowed by questions about Michael Schumacher taking over the second seat at Ferrari.
He said that the biggest factor in his decision to enter the WRC round was simply that he had the time to do it as F1 is on its annual Summer break.
“His handling and driving skills, like the lines he takes and so on, are at a very high level – outstanding, actually” said Kaj Lindstrom, Raikkonen’s Co-driver for the rally.
The cars will now be stored overnight in Parc Ferme until 0600 tomorrow morning before heading on to the events legendary forest stages.
Check out the video below of Kimi on SS1…
