Raikkonen could have kept improving in rally - Hirvonen
Hirvonen spoke about Raikkonen's competitive return to F1 last year.
Jan.11 (GMM) Mikko Hirvonen, the 2012 world rally championship runner up, believes countryman Kimi Raikkonen would have kept improving had he stayed in rallying.
In 2010 and 2011, following his split with Ferrari to make way for Fernando Alonso, the now 33-year-old opted to try his hand at world rallying.
Speaking about Raikkonen's competitive return to F1 last year with Lotus after two seasons away, Hirvonen said: "Well, it was not really a surprise.
"This man knows how to drive F1 (cars). When I heard he was going back, I thought that if the car is good, he will survive -- and Kimi did very well," he told Turun Sanomat newspaper.
But Hirvonen thinks Raikkonen would have kept improving had he stayed in rallying.
"The results would certainly have improved, but how much would have depended on how much enthusiasm Kimi had for practicing and testing.
"But his pace would definitely have improved in the third season," he added.
Share Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Why Charles Leclerc didn’t copy Lewis Hamilton’s driving style amid F1 2026 struggle
Ferrari reveals special black race suit for Charles Leclerc at F1 Singapore GP
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Brad Keselowski crew chief Jeremy Bullins to exit RFK Racing, effective immediately
NASCAR will not penalize Hocevar and Blaney for Bristol fight, but still reviewing others
F1 confirms new Hot Wheels "Infinite Rush" car collection for 2027 release
Ryan Blaney regrets his actions, admits "I got my ass kicked" in Hocevar fight
Great debate: Which circuit should host the F1 2026 finale if the calendar has to change?
Italy’s next F1 world champion?
What's behind the talks between the FIA president and Fernando Alonso over ADUO?
Fernando Alonso is right to sound the alarm about F1 - but history seems to be repeating itself
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments