The Kimi Rally Monster Cool Lounge

[miezicat]

http://www.wrc.com/news/why-happy-kimi- ... ?fid=14569

Why happy Kimi continues to improve

While the thrilling finish to last week's Jordan Rally wrote headlines around the world, Kimi Raikkonen was delivering another solid performance at the wheel of his Ice 1 Racing Citroen DS3 WRC.

For the third event in succession, Raikkonen scored championship points. While he might yet be some way from threatening the podium it was a notable achievement from a driver who could barely muster an error-free run during his debut season in 2010.

Kaj Lindstrom, who has co-driven Raikkonen since the ex-Formula One world champion took his first steps in rallying back in 2009, said increased experience - and confidence - is playing a huge part in the Ice Man’s upturn in form, rather than a change to his approach behind the wheel.

“It’s much better than last year because he’s finding the right way by finishing rallies without making mistakes,” said Lindstrom. “There’s no difference to what he’s doing. Rallying was a brand new experience for him when he started and there’s no short cut in this sport. It takes time to learn and after one year it’s getting easier for him.”

Lindstrom explained that Raikkonen is finally able to trust his pace notes, which was one of his main weaknesses last season.

“There won’t be any miracles from him just yet but his self-confidence is building because we’ve seen a big improvement in his pace notes,” said Lindstrom. “He is relying on them more and more and when that happens there are no big surprises for him on the stages.”

Asked whether Raikkonen was happy within the Citroen Racing empire, Lindstrom said: “The team took us in from the start and the second year is always easier in any relationship. You have to remember he had the option to go where he wanted. It’s his choice and he chose to stay with Citroen, which says it all. He’s happy and he’s definitely enjoying the WRC. He doesn’t have to drive but he does because he wants to be here. He’s very motivated.”

[zoefrances]

thank you for the interview. great insight into kimi and his rallying by kaj

[Kriss]

thanks a lot miezicat
I hope it means he stays here next year

[Suomileijona]

Yes, I hope that he'll concentrate to rallying, not to Nascar or something else...

[luieluv]

Kimi Raikkonen stars in the heat of Jordan

One year after taking his first World Rally Championship points on the roads of Jordan, Kimi Raikkonen has once more shown his class in the Middle East. The Iceman was sixth at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC prepared by Citroen Racing Technologies. Petter Solberg and Peter Van Merksteijn Junior were not quite as successful, having been forced to retire on the final day.

As they have been doing since the start of the season, Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström perfectly managed their rally on the challenging roads of Jordan’s World Rally Championship event. The Finnish crew were sixth at the end of the opening stage, leading the pack just behind the uncatchable top five, who were in a class of their own. Only a puncture 15 kilometres from the end of the penultimate stage prevented the Ice 1 Racing driver from scoring an even better result.

Petter Solberg came to Jordan with the podium as his target, and was ideally placed in fourth at the end of a strategic opening day. The Norwegian was in the thick of the fight for a podium place on SS17, but then he went off the road and found himself unable to get back on…

Peter van Merksteijn Jr used the beginning of the rally to gain experience at the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC. The Dutchman, who was still getting to grips with the territory, upped his pace during the second loop of stages on day one. By the end of SS14 he was 14th, but then he was forced to stop in Mahes 1 with a technical problem.

http://www.rallybuzz.com/kimi-raikkonen ... of-jordan/

[luieluv]

Best-paid athletes from 182 countries - Kimi Raikkonen still earns more than any F1 driver

- http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6391145

[Vida]

Best-paid athletes from 182 countries - Kimi Raikkonen still earns more than any F1 driver

- http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6391145

looks like he never running out of money...

[Kriss]

Best-paid athletes from 182 countries - Kimi Raikkonen still earns more than any F1 driver

- http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6391145

very interesting
thanks lui

[icemaid]

Paid by F-team to rally.

[zoefrances]

that's kimi he knows how to get the best deal out of teams and sponsers.

[Boudica]

Kimi Raikkonen earns more than Fernando Alonso

Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 F1 champ, made a bigger salary in 2010 than current Ferrari F1 driver Fernando Alonso.

It was Alonso that replaced Raikkonen after the 2009 F1 season. Spanish bank Santander (Alonso’s stout backer) agreed to pay Raikkonen’s full yearly salary to make way for Alonso to join Ferrari in a three-year deal.

Santander have yet to see their investment pay off as the 2010 and 2011 seasons have not produced the result they so badly crave. The 2012 season is Santander’s last chance to demonstrate shareholders some sanity in the Ferrari/Alonso move.

When deals like this are made by the largest bank of one of the most in-debt countries in Europe, it is no surprise a pan-European financial bailout is needed for the entire country of Spain. If I was one of the many unemployed in Spain I would be quite disgusted that my bank would spend $26,3m to get rid of a driver in an F1 team. Spain has an official unemployment rate of around 20%, but the official rate is much higher than this, probably close to 30% or 40%.

In 2010 Ferrari (Santander) paid $26,3m to Raikkonen to give the seat to Alonso, plus $22,7m for Alonso’s yearly salary. That’s $49m for a single seat in Ferrari for 2010 – that’s just nuts.

http://www.aussiepunter.com/news/genera ... um=twitter

[icemaid]

Thanks Boudica for the article!

Totally agreed, that's just NUTS!

[Anelise]

Thanks Boudica !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zoefrances]

thank you for the article boudica, it was interesting reading.
I agree it is really nuts. there is no justifying the money they spent on 1 f1 drive.

[miezicat]

GP-points for ICE1RACING – both Söderberg and Tiainen on points

The second GP event was raced on the sandy track of Valkenswaard near the ICE1RACING summer training center in Lommel, Belgium. The Easter weekend GP was held in hot conditions and the high temperatures drew in Dutch fans, also the team owner Kimi Räikkönen was following the race. ”It was great to see the riders in action and it’s looking good. The results are getting better from race to race, that’s our plan”, said pleased Räikkönen.
...

http://www.ice1racing.fi