Raikkonen ready to rally

A rejuvenated Kimi Raikkonen has revealed winning the World Rally Championship would be of far greater significance than his Formula One title.

After failing to secure a seat in F1 for this year, Raikkonen will drive for the Citroen Junior Team in the WRC, competing in 12 of the 13 rounds.

After nine years in F1, the Finn is certainly invigorated ahead of the opening rally in Sweden that starts on 10 February, admitting to 'finding a bit of the young Kimi in me again'.

Speaking to the Red Bulletin magazine, asked what a WRC crown would mean to him, Raikonnen replied: 'More than my F1 world championship title.'

Assessing his chances, he added: 'I'm just starting out and I can sense what a long journey it would be to get to that point.

'It's definitely the biggest challenge yet. I've got to learn everything from scratch.

'But I want the challenge. I have to get to know the car, the rallies, how to work with my co-driver, everything.

'I'm looking forward to it, and you've got to set yourself some competition if you really want to know how good you are.

'The first few rallies are bound to be tough. Until I know how fast the other drivers are.

'I'm holding back on any personal expectations. I'm sure I won't manage to keep up with the top four (Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala).'

Although Raikkonen has often insisted this year is a sabbatical away from F1, his latest comments suggest it now lacks appeal, both on and off the track.

'In F1 too many things overshadow the racing,' added the 2007 world champion.

'There is too much politics. No-one says what he thinks because he is afraid things are taken out of context.

'The atmosphere in rally is much nicer. It's more about the performance of drivers.'

As for the actual racing, he remarked: 'Each lap in F1 is more or less the same.

'When it rains, it becomes more difficult, but otherwise this is routine now.

'In rallying every curve, every hill may be different than you thought. That makes it interesting.'

Assessing the future beyond this season, Raikkonen said: 'As it looks now, I can always get back a F1 cockpit. But do I want it?

'In Formula One some unpleasant things are happening now. One manufacturer after another is leaving.

'I'm glad I dont have to worry about it at the moment. In a year we'll talk.'