From GMM
Sébastien Loeb has praised Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen's performance after the Finn made his World Rally Championship debut at the weekend.
Twenty-nine-year-old Raikkonen ultimately crashed out of the event with a spectacular roll into a ditch. Despite engine problems , Raikkonen was placed 15th overall when he crashed his Abarth Grande Punto S2000 on a left-hand corner, 3km from the start of the day's final stage, the 29.29km Vaarinmaja (SS19).
"I think he did really well," Frenchman Loeb, a multiple WRC champion and second overall in Finland, said.
"He was about one second per kilometre from Hanninen and the other best drivers and in Finland that is a very good performance," he added.
Rally winner Mikko Hirvonen added: "I have the same thoughts as Sébastien; I think he did really well, considering he has only ever done two rallies with pace notes. He was setting really good times."
Hirvonen's Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala finished Rally Finland third and said of Raikkonen: "I agree, he did really well considering his lack of experience. Okay, he went off the road, but even I had a little moment in the same place.
"It is not an easy corner, and these things can happen."
Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel meanwhile attended Rally Finland as a guest of Loeb's Citroen team and Red Bull.
photo:WRI2
Sébastien Loeb has praised Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen's performance after the Finn made his World Rally Championship debut at the weekend.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Raikkonen ultimately crashed out of the event with a spectacular roll into a ditch. Despite engine problems , Raikkonen was placed 15th overall when he crashed his Abarth Grande Punto S2000 on a left-hand corner, 3km from the start of the day's final stage, the 29.29km Vaarinmaja (SS19).
"I think he did really well," Frenchman Loeb, a multiple WRC champion and second overall in Finland, said.
"He was about one second per kilometre from Hanninen and the other best drivers and in Finland that is a very good performance," he added.
Rally winner Mikko Hirvonen added: "I have the same thoughts as Sébastien; I think he did really well, considering he has only ever done two rallies with pace notes. He was setting really good times."
Hirvonen's Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala finished Rally Finland third and said of Raikkonen: "I agree, he did really well considering his lack of experience. Okay, he went off the road, but even I had a little moment in the same place.
"It is not an easy corner, and these things can happen."
Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel meanwhile attended Rally Finland as a guest of Loeb's Citroen team and Red Bull.
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photo:WRI2