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'Raikkonen better F1 driver because of rally experience'

'Raikkonen better F1 driver because of rally experience'

  • Published on 17 Sep 2013 14:40
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Kimi Raikkonen's rallying foray made him a better formula one driver. That is the claim of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg, who got to know the 'iceman' during his two-year F1 sabbatical in 2010 and 2011.

Finn Raikkonen returned to F1 with Lotus last season, impressing the grand prix world yet again after his career had flat-lined in his final two years at Ferrari. "I know Kimi and I believe that the rally made him a better formula one driver," Solberg told the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG).

Like many observers, Solberg thinks Raikkonen's return to Ferrari next year, where he will become current 'number 1' Fernando Alonso's teammate, will be interesting to watch. "Alonso will certainly not like it," Solberg said of Raikkonen's impending move. "But Kimi is cool," he added. "He drives the car, and that's it."

Former Ferrari boss Cesare Fiorio said last week he would not have signed Raikkonen. "I admire his talent, but not his lifestyle or his technical work," he is quoted by Italy's Tuttosport.

But another former Ferrari boss, the current FIA president Jean Todt, backed the decision taken by the Maranello team's current chiefs. "Ferrari is a formula one institution, and very strong," he told the Italpress agency, "and I am absolutely certain they will also be at the highest level in the coming years." As for signing Raikkonen, "Ferrari has always known how to make the right decisions," Todt insisted. (GMM)
F1 News Fernando Alonso Ferrari Lotus F1

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Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
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17 - May 19 2024
Italy
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24 - May 26 2024
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Canada
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21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
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5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico
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Brazil
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United States of America
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Qatar
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United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21 2024
China Shanghai International Circuit
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Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26 2024
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Canada Gilles Villeneuve
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Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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Austria Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom Silverstone
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Hungary Hungaroring
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Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
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Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
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Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America Circuit of the Americas
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Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Brazil Interlagos
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ES Fernando Alonso 14
  • Team Aston Martin
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  • Grand Prix 168
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
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