Raikkonen returns to F1 with Lotus Renault GP

29/11/2011

After weeks of speculation linking him with Williams, 2007 world champion world champion Kimi Raikkonen is to return to F1 with Lotus Renault GP.

The Finn, who left Formula 1 at the end of 2009 to pursue a career in rallying, has decided to make a comeback at the pinnacle of single-seater racing having signed a two-year agreement with Lotus Renault GP.

At the height of the Williams speculation, Pitpass suggested a far more sensible move for the popular Finn would be to join Renault even though he had previously turned down the (then) French team.

Kimi's F1 roll of honour includes 18 wins, 62 podiums and 16 pole positions. This experience and success will hopefully help the team make a step forward next year.

"I'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break," said Raikkonen, "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. 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."

"All year long, we kept saying that our team was at the start of a brand new cycle," added, Gerard Lopez, Genii Capital, Chairman. "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 1."