Kimi Raikkonen visited Lotus's factory on Thursday to have a seat fitting ahead of his F1 comeback with the team.
Former world champion has seat fitting at Lotus
Kimi Raikkonen visited Lotus's factory on Thursday to have a seat fitting ahead of his comeback and sit in a F1 car for the first time in two years.
The 2007 world champion, who is returning to F1 after two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship, had the seat fitting at the former Renault team's Enstone factory in Oxfordshire.
"This is indeed the first time I have properly sat in an F1 car with a helmet on since the last race of 2009," the 32-year-old Finn told the team's website.
"It felt a bit odd at first because the cockpit seems a bit small but that's normal. It's just like in the past when I have done seat fittings.
"It feels a bit strange when you first step into the car but you quickly adjust. It will be nice to get back to racing."
The seat fitting, which involves moulding a seat to the driver's exact specifications, is a routine but important part of pre-season preparations.
"It is one of the most important jobs," Raikkonen said. "You spend so much time sitting in the car so the position is really crucial, it needs to be 100% right.
"I'd rather spend a lot of time getting it right at this time of the year because there are many races in the season and you sit behind the wheel a lot. Getting it right the first time is imperative."
Good opportunity
The first official pre-season test at Jerez is not until early next month but Raikkonen could have a track outing before that in an older car with different tyres.
Raikkonen, winner of 18 grands prix with McLaren and Ferrari, has generated scores of headlines with his return to F1 as one of an unprecedented six champions on the starting grid this year.
"It has no effect on me," he said of the positive and negative comments. "Sometimes you hear some nonsense and sometimes you hear nice things.
"The main thing is that coming back is what I wanted and I have a good opportunity with the team so I'm happy. I have never really looked at what people say or think."
