OFFICIAL: Raikkonen And Solberg To Compete In Citroen DS3 WRC In Rally Sweden

Kimi Raikkonen have confirmed his presence in the 2011 WRC seasin, while Petter Solberg was confirmed only for Rally Sweden.

The officials of Rally Sweden, the first stage of the 2011 World Rally Championship season, have revealed Monday night the complete list of drivers racing in this year’s edition.

On the list there were two surprise drivers, who have not yet confirmed their plans for this season: Kimi Raikkonen and Petter Solberg. Both will compete in the opening rally of the season, behind the steering-wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC, the new model that the French automaker hopes to bring them the world title again.

Raikkonen, 10 rallies deal with Ice Racing Team

Kimi Raikkonen will compete in at least 10 of the 13 rallies of the 2011 WRC season under the colors of Ice Racing team. He made his WRC debut in the 2010 season, managing to score 25 points in the 12 rallies he entered.

His presence in WRC for 2011 was anticipated by the international press since the end of December. But the name of his new team raises many question marks, given that the Finnish competed las year for Citroen Junior. Until the French manufacturer makes an official statement, rumor has it that Ice Racing will replace Citroen Junior in 2011.

Solberg, confirmed only for Rally Sweden

Former world champion, Petter Solberg, will race in Rally Sweeden behind the steering-wheel of a Citroen DS3 WRC as well, being Raikkonen’s team-mate at Ice Racing. Still, unlike the Finn, the Norwegian was only confirmed for the first rally of the season, managing to get a sponsor in the last moment. Petter Solberg racing in the other rallies of the season is a big question, the driver saying recently that he wants to enter the WTCC in 2011 because of financial reasons.

Four Citroen DS3 WRC for four drivers?

Despite the announcements made for Rally Sweden, the complete list of drivers that will compete for Citroen in this WRC seas is still uncertain.

Citroen will provide four cars in the 2011 season, and all the places are already taken, without counting Solberg: Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier will compete for the factory team, Kimi Raikkonen just signed for Ice Racing, while the Dutch, Peter van Merksteijn Jr, just reached an agreement in December to be a privateer driver with such a model. So, given these conditions, Solberg driving in WRC is full of incertitudes.

But things might become clearer after Citroen will officially confirm Raikkonen’s and Solberg’s schedule for this WRC season.