RAIKKONEN SCORES HIS FIRST WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen has scored his first points in the World Rally Championship in just his third WRC Rally with the Flying Fin bringing his Citroen C4 WRC home in eighth place in one of the season’s toughest events, the Rally of Jordan, at the weekend (1-3 April 2010).
Raikkonen’s team mate in the Citroen Junior Rally Team, Sébastien Ogier, finished in fourth place and ran first on the road throughout the final day of the Jordan Rally, with the aim of helping Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena to claim their 56th event victory in the FIA World Rally Championship.
The long final day of the Jordan Rally was feared by all the crews. A total of eight special stages were on the schedule, making up 105.5 competitive kilometres. At the day’s first service halt, an electronic control unit problem immobilised the number 7 Citroën C4 WRC of Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia. The French crew left the service park five minutes late. They then checked in eight minutes early to the start of SS14 (Yakrut 1), the first stage of the day, in order to run first on the road ahead of Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena.
“With the road position that we had, the stages were extremely slippery,” said the former Junior World Rally Champion, who had been feeling unwell overnight. “ I’m not in great form at the moment. I’m just trying not to make a mistake. There’s no reason to go quickly. Running first on the road is still a new experience for us.”
Kimi Räikkönen and Kaj Lindström continued their efforts on a surface that was very hard to understand, especially for a beginner.
“We didn’t push hard today as there was little left to gain,” said Räikkönen. “It was important just to learn and gain more experience on this surface.”
By the end of the Jordan Rally – only his third World Rally Championship event at the wheel of the
Citroën Junior Team C4 WRC – the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion had scored his first WRC points.
“It was an extremely difficult rally with the most complex special stages I have ever had to drive” added Räikkönen. “ But we eventually achieved our objective of getting to the finish without making any big mistakes. I’m feeling more comfortable in the Citroën C4 WRC every day.”
Sébastien Ogier ended up sixth, setting fastest time on the last stage. “We managed to have an excellent weekend by stringing together some good performances without making mistakes,” he
reported. “We’re making progress with every rally we contest. I’m very pleased generally with the way that our rally has gone. We’ve proved that we were capable of fighting at the front. ”
Citroën Junior Team manager Benoit Nogier concluded: “First of all, we’re delighted to see both our
Citroën C4 WRCs at the finish after some encouraging performances. Kimi has scored points by getting to the end of a very complicated rally without making any big mistakes. He is feeling more and more comfortable with the car with every kilometre. The performance will come with time and experience. Sébastien did what he had to do. He doesn’t have any championship aspirations. Instead his goal is to demonstrate that he is capable of mixing it with the best, and I think he showed that once more this weekend. ”
THE RALLY IN FIGURES
Fastest times in the stages
Day 1 – SS1 and 2: Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus) – SS3: Dani Sordo (Citroën C4) – SS4: Petter Solberg (Citroën C4) – SS5: Latvala – SS6: P. Solberg – SS7: Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4).
Day 2 – SS8: Loeb – SS9 : P. Solberg – SS10 and 11: Loeb – SS12: P. Solberg – SS13: Loeb.
Day 3: SS14: Loeb – SS15: P. Solberg – SS16 and 17: Loeb – SS18: Latvala – SS19: Loeb – SS20:Latvala – SS21: Ogier.
Best performers: Loeb, 9 fastest times – P. Solberg and Latvala, 5 – Sordo and Ogier, 1.
Leaders: SS1 and 2: Latvala – SS3: Sordo – SS4 to 10: Latvala – SS11: Loeb and Latvala – SS12 to
21: Loeb.
Final overall classification (subject to scrutineering)
1. Loeb / Elena Citroën C4 3h46’08’’5
2. Latvala / Anttila Ford Focus +35’’8
3. P. Solberg / Mills Citroën C4 +1’11’’8
4. Sordo / Marti Citroën C4 +1’49’’3
5. Wilson / Martin Ford Focus +8’24’’3
6. Ogier / Ingrassia Citroën C4 +10’26’’4
7. Villagra / Perez Companc Ford Focus +11’28’’0
8. Räikkönen / Lindström Citroën C4 +12’31’’0
9. H. Solberg / Minor Ford Focus +14’08’’6
10. Pons / Haro Ford Fiesta +18’33’’9
(ends)
For further information:
Citroen Australia Media Web Site:
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 8577 8020General Manager / Fax: (02) 8577 3555
CitroenAustralia / Mob: 0419 800 520
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Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 8677 8015Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 8577 3555
CitroenAustralia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Citroen Australia
Street Address: 862 – 874 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo, Sydney, NSW 2017Australia.
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EJR/ejr/958
4/4/2010