Raikkonen: Rallying Is More Interesting than F1

Now that he has managed to secure himself a full drive in the World Rally Championship, Kimi Raikkonen doesn't seem too keen at returning to the Great Circle any more. The fact that he already won multiple grands prix, as well as a world title in 2007, seems more than enough for the 30-year old Fin, who now considers rallying a lot less “routine” than Formula One.

Talking about the things that made him quit the Great Circle and turn to rallying, Raikkonen admitted that the latter provides more opportunities for drivers to show their racing skills as compared to the former.

“In F1, each lap is more or less the same. When it rains it becomes more difficult, but otherwise it's routine. In rallying, every curve, every hill may be different than you thought. That makes it interesting. The atmosphere of the rally is much nicer. It's more about the performance of the drivers,” said the Finnish driver, in an interview published in German by the Red Bulletin.

Preparing for his maiden full campaign in the WRC, Raikkonen admitted that “there is a little bit of the young Kimi in me again, yes. I'm curious and excited.” He is yet to properly test the Citroen C4 provided by the French manufacturer for his 2010 campaign, as his last rallying experience took place during Rally Finland last year, with the Fiat Abarth Grand Punto S2000.

As for Formula One, Raikkonen rhetorically asked himself if he really wants to return to the series next year, especially with the bad things that seem to happen in the championship nowadays.

“Perhaps for fun I'll go to the (2010) Monaco grand prix. As it looks now, I would get another F1 cockpit. But do I want it? What's happening in formula one at the moment are unpleasant things; manufacturers leaving one after another or selling their teams. I'm glad I don't have to worry about it (F1) at the moment. In a year, we'll talk,” added the Finnish driver.