WRC: Back injury scuppers Kimi Raikkonen's Mexico test

From www.wrc.com

Kimi Raikkonen will start Rally Mexico without having driven his Citroen C4 for any significant time on gravel, after a back injury forced the cancellation of a pre-event test.

The Citroen Junior team driver had planned at least one day of testing between Rally Sweden and Mexico, but was forced to rest instead after aggravating an injury - sustained during his F1 career - in Rally Sweden.

Kimi Raikkonen said: “My plan had initially been to take part in a test session on gravel, in order to get to know the Citroen C4 WRC a bit better on a new surface for me. But unfortunately I experienced a bit of back pain that stopped me from driving.

"I’ve had some treatment now but I preferred to rest before leaving for Mexico. Of course I would have liked to test the car before going, but it was important to recuperate in order to start the second rally of the season in the best possible physical shape.”

Kimi Raikkonen finished 30th in the season opening Rally Sweden after losing time in a snowbank. Apart from a brief drive at Citroen's test track in France, Mexico will be the first time that he will drive his C4 WRC on gravel.