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821 views Jan 25, 2009

Jan.25 (GMM) 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen has finished his first professional rally in thirteenth place.

The Finn entered the Arctic Lapland Rally, held at the weekend in his native Finland, with a Fiat Ararthe Grande Punto S2000.

He finished less than 7 minutes behind the winner Juha Salo, and more than 7 minutes in front of F1's 1998 and 1999 world champion Mika Hakkinen, who contested the event with a Mitsubishi Lancer.

Former twice world rally champion Marcus Gronholm, however, said he is so far unconvinced about Ferrari driver Raikkonen's abilities.

"It's hard to say about Raikkonen yet," the 40-year-old Finn told the News of the World. "He might be a hell of a driver, but I don't think he can learn to drive (rallies) right off the bat."

Former Sauber and Ferrari driver Mika Salo also raced, but the highest-placed ex-formula one name was JJ Lehto, who finished the rally ninth and ahead of 28-year-old Raikkonen by a minute.