Raikkonen to race for Citroen rally in 2010

Dec 4, 2009, 13:34 GMT

Helsinki - Former Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen will compete in 12 rally events 2010 for Citroen, the French team announced on Friday.

The Finnish driver has earlier stated he would take a time out from Formula One next season after failing to agree on terms with McLaren.

The former Formula One world champion has had contracts with Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari, winning the 2007 world title for the famed Italian team.

Raikkonen, 30, had to leave Ferrari after the 2009 season to make way for another ex-champ, Fernando Alonso. McLaren, meanwhile, eventually chose world champion Jenson Button instead of Raikkonen.

Citroen said the Finnish driver would compete for the so-called Junior Team in 2010 together with Frenchman Sebastien Ogier. The team backed by Red Bull, which could open the door for a return to F1 in 2011 at the Red Bull team.

'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,' Raikkonen said in a statement. In addition to rally events there has been mention that Raikkonen may also enter the 24-hour Le Mans race in June 2010.