Early problem delays Raikkonen

Date published : 05 Mar 2010 - 16:23:23

Kimi Raikkonen's Rally Mexico has been ruined almost before it has started, following an engine problem aboard his Citroen on this morning's second stage.The Red Bull Citroen C4 WRC has stopped on the Ortega test, with what the team suspect to be a fuel pressure-related problem for the former Formula 1 world champion. He eventually found a loose connection and revived the car, but lost over half an hour.Raikkonen had posted the 10th fastest time on the opening stage this morning. This is his first gravel rally in a World Rally Car, with the Finn painfully short on loose-surface running having missed his pre-event test due to a back injury.Fellow C4 driver Petter Solberg led the event after two stages, 9.8 seconds ahead of Raikkonen's Citroen Junior Team team-mate Sebastien Ogier.Round one winner Mikko Hirvonen has so far suffered a troubled morning running first on the road. The Ford man, who lies sixth, has lost 22 seconds to leader Solberg. Sebastien Loeb is fourth.