WRC: Raikkonen To Make Rally Debut In Finland

FRENCH LEGEND Sebastien Loeb has warned Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen to have faith in his pace notes when the Finn makes his World Rally Championship debut at Rally Finland.

Loeb said any doubts Raikkonen will hold over the accuracy of his notes could ultimately affect his outright performance at the event.

"I think he knows how it is. It is a fast rally and he needs to be confident in his notes. I am sure he will have a lot of fun and it will be completely different for him,” he said.

Raikkonen acknowledged the importance of obtaining accurate pace notes with co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, stating he is aware of the difficult task he faces in keeping pace with the series regulars.

“The notes here are really important for you to go fast and it is something completely different to what I am used to,” he said.

“All the top guys here drive at similar speed and the notes make a big difference. It just takes time to learn and sometimes you get it wrong and it is not easy to know exactly where to go on the jumps.

“Hopefully we have the right notes and we shall have some fun, but I am responsible for the right notes.”

Raikkonen’s participation in his home event sparked rumours the 29-year-old is interested in pursuing a rally career as early as next year.

And although he ruled out entering the WRC next season, the Ferrari driver revealed he would consider a career in rallying following the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of 2010.

“I am still in F1 and still have one more year contract but everything is open and it is nice to be a part of it here. I am a bit too young to do nothing so I will see. It all depends on which way F1 is going. Nobody is exactly sure how it will be. I am in no hurry,” he said.