Kimi Räikkönen’s stint in the WRC is still relatively fresh in memory. Räikkönen took a break from Formula 1 during 2010-11 to compete in the World Rally Championship. Similarly, Robert Kubica was actively involved in the WRC from 2013 to 2015.
In recent years, Heikki Kovalainen has been forging a new career in rallying, and he has already made two WRC appearances in Japan.
Now, rumours are swirling that yet another Formula 1 star has developed an interest in rallying. Speculation began when experienced F1 journalist and former F1 team executive Peter Windsor mentioned the matter during a YouTube stream.
“I know of one Formula 1 driver that has done some rally testing recently in massive secrecy,” Windsor revealed.
“I would never betray that secrecy by telling you who it is, but he was good and did well in the tests,” Windsor added.
Windsor was willing to share only that the driver in question is not Max Verstappen, who has dominated Formula 1 in recent years. The Dutch driver’s father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, has been competing in rallying in recent years.
Following Windsor’s comments, online forums have been abuzz with speculation about which experienced driver the Australian might have been referring to. A logical candidate could be Valtteri Bottas, who has participated in the Arctic Lapland Rally three times with WRC machinery. Lando Norris has also previously expressed an interest in trying his hand at rallying.
Windsor recently visited the Rally Finland, where he had the chance to experience the famous jumps of Ruuhimäki while riding alongside Thierry Neuville during the shakedown. Windsor has since uploaded a video on YouTube, where he delves into the unique skills of rally drivers.
