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WRC: Heikki Kovalainen to drive Proton in Finnish rally

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Heikki Kovalainen looks set to contest next month's Arctic Lapland Rally in his native Finland.

It was reported at the end of the 2009 season that the 28-year-old was keen to resume his hobby of rallying, which was forbidden under the terms of his McLaren contract.

Proton Satria Neo S2000

Kovalainen has contested the Arctic Rally four times in the past, and his new deal with Lotus looks set to pave the way for a reprise at the end of January.

While in Malaysia for the announcement of his 2010 F1 contract, the Finn sat in a Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally car that had been used the day before with Alister McRae at the wheel.

Proton is the majority owner of the Lotus Cars company, and the Turun Sanomat newspaper reports that the Satria Neo is Kovalainen's likely car for the Arctic Rally.

Another high profile competitor in the Arctic Rally will be Kimi Raikkonen, who is set to make his debut in the Citroen C4 he will drive in the 2010 WRC.




Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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