Kimi The Ice Man Raikkonen: 2010 World Rally Champion?

10 Feb 2010

The world of rallying has been dominated over the past 6 seasons by one man. Sebastian Lobe from 2004 to last season has been top of the standings and has no plans in giving up the title without a fight. Lobe and his Citroen team are looking like strong contenders for the 2010 title also. Current odds have him at 11/10 to win the title.

Maybe that might all change with the arrival of Kimi Raikkonen to the sport who joins the Junior Citroen team next season. Although his first professional rally debut lead to him crashing into a tree finishing outside the top 10. He must still be in a good position to make a great start to his rallying career having already proven himself worthy by winning the formula one world championship. Not many experts rate his chances though. The vast change from silky smooth racing circuits to rocky muddy roads of rallying would be a great challenge for any would be professional driver. If you look at the historical Formula 1 driver moves you usually find drivers going for American Nascar and most recently Michael Schumacher gave motorbikes a go. Maybe Kimi's Passion for rallying and his ice cool persona will see him through, maybe he will have what the fins call 'sisu' loosely translated as a natural feel for it.

Whatever happens It is lining up to be a great season with ford and Subaru looking good, and some up and coming talent who promise to make things a bit interesting and hopefully more challenging than the past Loeb/Citroen domination of the sport. Lets face it Formula 1 got a lot more interesting and competitive when Schumacher's reign ended. Lets see if the same will happen in the world of rallying

Current rally Sweden odds for Kimi Raikkonen;

100/1 to win the rally of Sweden.

To finish the rally

11/13

To finish in the top 3

11/1