Kimi Räikkönen's decision to go from F1 to WRC has been a bitter pill to swallow for the fastest nation in the world. Räikkönen is probably the last bluewhite-driver who won the championship in F1. In the eyes of Finns who appreciate humility and modesty Räikkönen has been labelled as a greedy hedonist.

COMPLETELY WITHOUT GROUNDS. Räikkönen's action is logical and it's easy to jump into his pants.

When you have nine tough seasons, a WDC in your pocket and a couple of 2nd positions behind you, it's completely natural that Räikkönen wants to change genre.
In another country or in some other area of life a defector like Räikkönen would have been seen as an independent intellectual who has an open mind.

In Finland again one who changes to another genre is a loser, not an original genious.

Besides, Räikkönen has more than enough of the humility that Finns so much want. He knows for sure that the first WRC-season will probably be difficult. If he doesn't succeed there will be a lot of gloaters.

Of course a fat salary made Räikkönen's decision easier. You can't blame him for that because very few say no to money.

Räikkönen himself has justified his change of genre with the more relaxed goings-on in rally. This is also easy to understand.

Räikkönen has been a strange bird in the hypocritical F1-world. He doesn't fit into the picture where the most senseless sport genre in the world tries to be responsible and politically correct. Räikkönen would have felt at home during Keke Rosberg's active years. During those times the cigarettes were smoking and the glasses were clinking. Back then F1 was also about honest racing without dirty politics and financially maximising the victory.

Therefore it was sensible of Räikkönen to leave but why does Heikki Kovalainen who was dumped by a top team want to continue in F1 no matter what it costs?

The answer is simple: Most people rather participate in the national league even though the lower classes would offer gold and glory.

Helsingin Sanomat/Tero Hakola