Citroen Junior Team driver Conrad Rautenbach says Kimi Raikkonen will have no problems integrating into the French squad if he joins for the 2010 World Rally Championship.
Rautenbach, who has yet to confirm his plans for next season, drove a Citroen Junior Team C4 WRC throughout last year and knows the team and personnel intimately. Rautenbach is confident Raikkonen will flourish in the environment if he joins.
Despite speculation that the Finn has inked his deal with Citroen, sources close to the 2007 World Champion deny any deal has been completed. AUTOSPORT reports, however, that Raikkonen is set to sign a contract with Citroen within the next 24 hours.
Rautenbach said: "He [Raikkonen] seems like a no-nonsense kind of guy and I'm sure he won't have any problems with the team at all, he'll slot in there very easily. Look at who he is: he's a Formula 1 World Champion, people will make things happen for him in the team. The Citroen Junior Team is a good place to drive – it was all pretty comfortable this year for me."
Rautenbach admitted a return to the Citroen Junior Team for himself remains a possibility for next year – and he added the potential to drive alongside Raikkonen would be a major draw.
"It would be awesome to be in the same team as him," said Rautenbach. "He's one of my favorite drivers. He did a great job when he rallied in Finland last year and, while I don't know him, I think he would be a big asset to the team. I like his attitude – like I said, no nonsense."