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Courtesy : Zigwheels.com
After weeks of speculation about Kimi Raikkonen’s come back into the sport, the 2007 champion will finally return to the sport with Lotus-Renault GP in 2012. The Finnish driver was last seen in the 2009 season and since then he has been part of various motorsport action like the World Rally Championship and NASCAR. Raikkonen has now signed a two-year deal with Lotus-Renault GP.
“I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula One after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming,” said the 32-year old.
The Finn made his F1 debut in 2001 with Sauber. Immediately after his debut season, he was picked up by McLaren and was racing Woking based tem for five years and finished twice as runner up in the drivers’ championship. He then shifted to Ferrari with whom he won the 2007 championship but agreed to make way for Fernando Alonso in 2009 even though his contract was valid for the 2010 season as well. During his time in Formula 1 he was one of the highest paid racers on the grid.
“Kimi’s decision to come back to Formula One with us is the first step of several announcements which should turn us into an even more serious contender in the future. Of course, we are all looking forward to working with a world champion,” said Gerard Lopez, chairman of Genii Capital.
The Iceman’s was also in talks with Williams as a team with which he will make his comeback into the sport but he chose the Enstone based team over Williams, who haven’t had a very impressive 2011 season.
Raikkonen's two-year deal with Lotus-Renault not only puts Nick Heidfeld seat in the team doubtful but also raises questions about whether Vitaly Petrov or Bruno Senna will fill the second seat of the team. Renault ended the 2011 season with a final fifth place in the constructors’ championship four points ahead of sixth-placed Sahara Force India squad. The team will be renamed Lotus-Renault GP from the 2012 season.
After weeks of speculation about Kimi Raikkonen’s come back into the sport, the 2007 champion will finally return to the sport with Lotus-Renault GP in 2012. The Finnish driver was last seen in the 2009 season and since then he has been part of various motorsport action like the World Rally Championship and NASCAR. Raikkonen has now signed a two-year deal with Lotus-Renault GP.
“I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula One after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming,” said the 32-year old.
The Finn made his F1 debut in 2001 with Sauber. Immediately after his debut season, he was picked up by McLaren and was racing Woking based tem for five years and finished twice as runner up in the drivers’ championship. He then shifted to Ferrari with whom he won the 2007 championship but agreed to make way for Fernando Alonso in 2009 even though his contract was valid for the 2010 season as well. During his time in Formula 1 he was one of the highest paid racers on the grid.
“Kimi’s decision to come back to Formula One with us is the first step of several announcements which should turn us into an even more serious contender in the future. Of course, we are all looking forward to working with a world champion,” said Gerard Lopez, chairman of Genii Capital.
The Iceman’s was also in talks with Williams as a team with which he will make his comeback into the sport but he chose the Enstone based team over Williams, who haven’t had a very impressive 2011 season.
Raikkonen's two-year deal with Lotus-Renault not only puts Nick Heidfeld seat in the team doubtful but also raises questions about whether Vitaly Petrov or Bruno Senna will fill the second seat of the team. Renault ended the 2011 season with a final fifth place in the constructors’ championship four points ahead of sixth-placed Sahara Force India squad. The team will be renamed Lotus-Renault GP from the 2012 season.