Kimi Räikkönen’s skills behind the wheel in a rally car and as a test driver continue to amaze the F1 champion’s co-pilot, Kaj Lindström.

On Monday Räikkönen started two days’ testing session before the July-August’s WRC Rally, which he drives on a Fiat’s Super2000 car.

- As watching that speed, I have to lift my hat. Everything points to a super talent on a car handling. The car is all the time controlled by the driver, Lindström says after the test day.

Räikkönen has driven rally on snow and asphalt. The WRC Rally that is driven on fast gravel roads in Middle Finland is the first gravel race in his career. When Räikkönen goes for the first leg he has approximately 300 test kilometers driven on gravel.

- As a challenge, the race of Jyväskylä takes a whole new level compared to the races driven this far. It’s already like this because it’s the fastest rally in the world and it doubles Räikkönen’s experience in rally, Lindström is calculating.

Räikkönen’s main challenge is the noting of the route. His note language comes from an ex pro Tapio Laukkanen and Lindström who made the notes for him in Tunturi rally. Lindström believes that the noting won’t bring problems.

Surprisingly easily the road goes into a note by Kimi even though he has a little of experience. It’s not perfect but neither are the notes by the top names in rally, Lindström reminds.


Mäkinen supporting

To make Fiat suitable for Middle Finland’s fast gravel roads Räikkönen has received help from a former champion Tommi Mäkinen.

Kimi is a highly professional in tests too. While driving when he told that the front is doing this and that, and when Tommi is testing the car, he gives exactly the same feedback, Lindström says.

Super2000 car doesn’t have unlimited setting opportunities. In the tests the behavior of the car is changed by adjusting the suspension and differential locks.

The goal has been to find a logical package, a car that is not doing any extra moves. At the same time it’s been tried to give Kimi an opportunity to search for a feeling and routine for the car and gravel.

Räikkönen’s tests still continue for one day. The WRC Rally of Finland starts in Thursday, 30th of July from Jyväskylä.

from: mtv3 translation (Spessu)