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Raikkonen gets green light to race in 2001

Novice sensation Kimi Raikkonen will race for the Red Bull Sauber team in next year's Formula 1 World Championship after being granted a super licence by the FIA World Council

Although the 21-year-old Finn, who won this year's British Formula Renault Championship, does not qualify for a super licence based solely on results, motorsport's rule-making body granted the licence based on his impressive testing performances for the Swiss-based team.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me," said Raikkonen. "I thoroughly enjoyed the F1 testing I did earlier this year, and although there was pressure to prove myself to the FIA in Jerez, I believe that I demonstrated my potential successfully. Now I will be doing everything I can in 2001 to justify the faith that Peter Sauber, his team and the governing body have placed in me."

Raikkonen tested for Sauber at Mugello in October, before completing three more days at Jerez this week. The veteran of just 23 motor races was sixth fastest in today's (Thursday's) dry testing and eighth fastest in Wednesday's wet testing - his first time in an F1 car in wet conditions.

"We're all elated at the decision," said Raikkonen's manager, Steve Roberston. "We'd heard so many negative rumours about what would happen that this is a big relief and a big vindication of Kimi's talent and potential.

"He's done a perfect job in Jerez these last three days and I think that was very important in helping to make up the FIA's mind on the matter. He's been fast and consistent, even in the wet, and he didn't cause a single stoppage all the way through the test - which is more than you can say for a lot of the guys out there.

"To be honest, knowing how much was at stake, I'm really amazed at how calm he has been," he added. "He will not be out of his depth in Formula 1 next year."

Robertson denied that the granting of a licence to Raikkonen, who has no Formula 3 or Formula 3000 experience, will devalue the importance of the two final recognised stepping stones to Formula 1.

"I believe that Kimi is a special case and that he is ready for F1right now," he said, "but that doesn't make F3 or F3000 any less relevant for the majority of drivers. As I said, I personally believe Kimi is a special case and that's why we feel so confident that he can make the jump successfully."

Raikkonen and his 2001 Sauber team mate Nick Heidfeld will appear at the Bridgestone-only Valencia and Barcelona tests in the run-up to Christmas, before testing at Estoril early in the new year.

"Kimi was able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FIA the qualities that attracted us in the first place," said team boss Peter Sauber. "We are delighted to establish a relationship with a young driver who shows such clear promise for the future. It was clear from the outset that the step into Formula One was not too big for him, and he completed the test with very encouraging results. In the last three days Kimi tested again at Jerez in an impeccable manner, confirming his talent and readiness for Formula One."

For full details of today's testing at Jerez, click here.

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