Kimi Raikkonen has rejected claims he is in discussions with Toyota to join their World Rally Championship team.
Reports in the Finnish media last week claimed Raikkonen, who appeared in a series of rallies during his two-year break from F1, has been approached by the Japanese manufacturer.He dismissed the reports when asked about them by RaceFans following yesterday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
“If you speak to the lady who write it you’ll probably find out there’s not much knowledge about racing or anything else,” said Raikkonen. “It’s rumours and [their] ideas.”
“For sure I’m interested in rallying whenever I stop, that’s not a secret,” he said. “But I have zero contract to do it, anyway. People keep writing things but not really my issue.
Raikkonen said he had seen the report and found it amusing.
“The funny part was that it said – I saw it, somebody told me about it – that Mika Hakkinen confirmed it.
“Honestly, the lady who wrote it, and him, how much do they know about my life? Zero.”
Raikkonen drove for Citroen during his brief foray into the World Rally Championship in 2010 and entered his own team, Ice 1 Racing, the following year. Toyota returned to the WRC last season and competes with its Yaris model.
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krxx
28th May 2018, 15:46
“If you speak to the lady who write it you’ll probably find out there’s not much knowledge about racing or anything else,” – Vintage Kimi
pez2k (@pez2k)
28th May 2018, 16:20
I must say it’s great having Dieter around to directly ask drivers these questions – it’s a real step up in quality getting news straight from the paddock, and means that we can get answers like this. Keep up the good work guys!
FlyingLobster27
28th May 2018, 16:54
Why would Toyota sign Räikkönen? They have Latvala, Lappi and Tänak, three rally winners, and if one left, there’s plenty of talent to replace them.
One guy’s just become available actually: Kris Meeke. Before anyone laughs off that suggestion, remember how often Latvala used to crash.
eljueta (@eljueta)
29th May 2018, 9:03
Publicity. I almost never watch rally, I would probably watch it if Kimi raced it in it though.
fast
28th May 2018, 22:26
indeed. thanks for shutting this silly rumor down… because, kimi is staying at ferrari where ricciardo will join him for 2019. as vettel is leaving to partner lewis at mercedes. :-)
MG1982 (@mg1982)
29th May 2018, 7:09
Neah, highly doubt that. Not that I discard it completely, but it’s almost impossible. I thought VET’s contract expires at the end of 2020, then I’m not so sure HAM has no problem anymore who’s in the 2nd car… although he keeps saying he doesn’t care. I think there’re far more chances things will remain unchanged for 2019.
ajpennypacker (@ajpennypacker)
29th May 2018, 17:41
Kimi’s departure is so long overdue. The fact that he is having a half-decent year in 2018 will probably prolong the delay. Besides, he seems so perpetually unhappy in Formula 1. Why not just leave and trash-talk F1 more freely like most F1 dropouts do. Go to WRC or Rally, and talk about how open and free the environment is. How friendly everyone is. Go to America an gain 20 kilos like Montoya did.
ajpennypacker (@ajpennypacker)
29th May 2018, 17:42
Kimi’s departure is so long overdue. The fact that he is having a half decent year in 2018 will probably prolong the delay. Besides, he seems so perpetually unhappy in Formula 1. Why not just leave and trash talk F1 more freely like most F1 dropouts do. Go to WRC or Rally, and talk about how open and free the environment is. How friendly everyone is. Go to America an gain 20 kilos like Montoya did.