Finnish Press Hails Raikkonen Win

Kimi Raikkonen's Malaysian Grand Prix win was hailed by Finnish newspapers today, the press saying it had revitalised the sport and could herald a power shift in Formula One.

The 23-year-old Finn cruised to the first win of his F1 career on Sunday, beating Ferrari's Brazilian Rubens Barrichello by a massive 39 seconds. Ferrari's World Champion Michael Schumacher was a distant sixth.

With the win, Raikkonen became the third Finn to win a Formula One race after Keke Rosberg and Mika Hakkinen.

"Now Raikkonen is driving for the World Championship. His first win could have a spectacular impact. Just ask (slalom World Cup champion) Kalle Palander," tabloid Iltalehti said in a five-page spread devoted to the win.

The paper also quoted former rally driving champion Tommi Makinen as saying: "You have to be amazed how quickly the boy has risen to this level. (The win) was very mature and a skilled performance."

Finland's biggest selling tabloid Ilta-Sanomat questioned whether there was already a power shift within the sport after Raikkonen beat Schumacher two times in a row.

"Experts have long been of the opinion that Raikkonen is made of champion material," it said.

Ilta-Sanomat also said that Kimi's father Matti had shaved his head in honour of the victory.

"We are such impulsive people... and I decided to shave my head. Kimi has also shaved his head bald a couple of times," it quoted the elder Raikkonen as saying.

The country's largest daily, Helsingin Sanomat, said that Raikkonen's win had injected much-needed excitement into the sport.

"The Malaysian GP showed that the Formula One world is not as cold as many thought," it added, noting that McLaren team boss Ron Dennis's eyes were watering as Raikkonen crossed the finish line.