(Fri 04 Dec 09)

2007 Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen is giving up his day job in the Ferrari Grand Prix team, and will drive a Citroen C4 in the World Rally Championship next year with funding from Red Bull.

Rallying and circuit racing are very different disciplines, but Raikkonen already has some experience of the former. He took part in the 2009 Rally Finland in an Abarth Grande Punto (which ended up on its roof) and has always been a big fan of the sport. "I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career," he says. "Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4.

"This is a new but very exciting challenge. For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future. I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally."

His move does not affect the positions of multiple WRC champion Sébastien Loeb or Dani Sordo, both of whom will continue to drive for Citroen. Raikkonen will join the very promising Sébastien Ogier in a second team, and will be navigated by the enormously experienced Kaj Lindström.

Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter.

Citroen Gallery
Citroen Road Tests

Previous: Aston Martin Rapide Pricing                               Next: Nissan Revises Qashqai