Citroen deny Raikkonen rumours

Monday 30th November 2009

Kimi Raikkonen has not signed a deal nor has he even spoken with Citroen, according to team principal Olivier Quesnel.

This past weekend, reports emerged claiming that Raikkonen would definitely bid farewell to Formula One in favour of a switch to the World Rally Championship with Citroen.

According to the official WRC website, 'nothing is signed yet, but a source close to the 2007 F1 World Champion told wrc.com that only small details needed to be tied-up before an official announcement is made in the coming days.'

However, Quesnel has not only dismissed reports of a deal, he's also denied that the team has even spoken with Raikkonen.

"Nothing is signed, I never even had Raikkonen on the telephone," Quesnel told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"In any case, (if Raikkonen did sign for Citroen) it would not be in the official team, but in the Citroen Junior Team. There is a lot of noise about this."

But just because Raikkonen isn't doing a deal with Citroen that doesn't mean Quesnel wouldn't mind seeing the 2007 F1 Champ swap to rallying.

"He was not a World Champion by chance," he said. "In Finland last year, he was quite astonishing at the wheel of a Super 2000 car.

"If he comes to WRC, it will be very good news for the rally in general. It would also be nice to thumb the nose to F1."

Your Comments

boogatti

"NickUSA makes a good point! WRC racing is a different animal altogether; in fact, in some ways, even more demanding than F1 racing. Both Kimi and Kubica have learned already, this year, just how easy it is to crash out. Kimi just doesn't have that level of commitment to do well. He needs to walk away completely and comeback when he is truly hungry (financially or otherwise)!"

MarkyLeeds

"His charisma and charm will be sorely missed from F1. "

mrkjf

"Lucky winner never to be heard of again."

Ronni

"@Kpcart

Kimi has signed today with Citroen to compete in the WRC

tuesday,01/12/2009

While late last week, the head of Citro�n Sport, Olivier Quesnel, clarified that he had never even phoned to Kimi Raikkonen, then it means that the negotiations with the Finn went very quickly. Since, according to MTV3, the contract has been signed today.

So after leaving the Scuderia, the threat of Kimi going to the rallies have been met, his refusal to Mclaren no accident either, and at least for a time change of specialty. From Formula 1 to the rallies. Raikkonen has signed with the Junior Team of Citro�n, which means they drive the same C4 that world champion Sebastian Loeb.

Experts like Peter Solberg, Finnish predict good results, and place it as the top five with the material that will be available in 2010. His teammate, Sebastien Ogier will. Bringing the first team of Citro�n, Loeb and Sordo composed, remain intact.

The connection to the Citro�n sponsor, Red Bull, it could mean that Kimi would have the door open to return to Formula 1 in 2011 at Red Bull, in the event that Kimi would win, after experiencing a year in rallying , to return to Formula 1 and thus occupy the site of Mark Webber.

The Finn could debut at home, from 28 to 30 January in the Arctic Rally Lappland, Finland. And the first World Rally Championship race would begin in mid-February in Sweden. The Citro�n league contract with Kimi for the 13 races that make up the WRC.

Formula 1, therefore, say goodbye to Kimi at the moment, and who knows if in the future to see him in the premier class.

whilst is unconfirmed news

is in the net since yesterday.. you nimrod!"

All comments on this story