Sebastien Loeb has praised Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen's performance after the Finn made his World Rally Championship debut at the weekend.

29-year-old Raikkonen ultimately crashed out of the event with a spectacular roll into a ditch, but he was classified 15th overall and was running third in his class at the time.

"I think he did really well," Frenchman Loeb, a multiple WRC champion and second overall in Finland, said.

"He was about one second per kilometre from Hanninen and the other best drivers and in Finland that is a very good performance," he added.

Rally winner Mikko Hirvonen added: "I have the same thoughts as Sebastien; I think he did really well, considering he has only ever done two rallies with pace notes.  He was setting really good times."

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