Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012 after signing a two-year contract with Lotus Renault GP.
Former world champion confirms comeback to F1 in 2012
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012 after signing a two-year contract with Lotus Renault GP.
The Finn had been strongly linked with a move to Williams but Renault, who are set to start the season without the still-injured Robert Kubica, have instead snapped him up.
Raikkonen won the F1 title with Ferrari in 2007 but left the sport two years later to drive for Citroen in the World Rally Championship.
"I'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity," Raikkonen told the official Renault website.
"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.
"It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team's ambition. Now I'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid."
Raikkonen also dismissed suggestions that he will not be sufficiently motivated to rediscover his best form, an accusation that was often levelled at him during the latter part of his first stay in F1.
No concerns
"I wouldn't come back if I wouldn't be motivated," he added.
"There's always a lot of talk about motivation to race, but nobody really knows what I do or what I think apart from myself, so I don't really care what people think.
"I wouldn't put my name on the contract if I didn't think that I would really enjoy it. It will be exciting to get back."
The 32-year-old has won 18 grands prix with Ferrari and McLaren and Lotus Renault owner Gerard Lopez is delighted to have been able to recruit a driver of his experience.
He said: "All year long, we kept saying that our team was at the start of a brand new cycle.
"Backstage we've been working hard to build the foundations of a successful structure and to ensure that we would soon be able to fight at the highest level.
"Kimi's decision to come back to Formula 1 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. On behalf of our staff, I'd like to welcome Kimi to Enstone, a setting that has always been known for its human approach to Formula One."
