F1: Iceman Returns
 

Iceman returns to Formula 1


After two years in World Rally, Finn signs with Lotus


Bleachersreport Nov 30, 2011


LONDON - Former McLaren and Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen will make an eagerly-anticipated comeback to Formula 1 next season after signing a two-year contract with Lotus, the team currently known as Renault.

The team said yesterday that the 32-year-old, who quit the sport at the end of 2009 after a three-year stint with Ferrari, has signed a two-year deal with the Enstone-based squad.

The 2007 world champion, who spent the intervening years racing in the World Rally Championship, said he was impressed with the form of Lotus and it was an easy choice to make when he decided to end his sojourn away from Formula 1.

With the Finn's return, Formula 1 will have six champions - including Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (2005-2006), Jenson Button (2009), Lewis Hamilton (2008), Michael Schumacher (1994-95, 2000-2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2010-2011) - lining up for the start of the season in Melbourne next March.

The Iceman has won 18 races with McLaren and Ferrari in a racing career that started with Sauber in 2001 and remains hugely popular with the fans.

"I'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid," added Raikkonen.

"I'm delighted to be coming back after a two-year break, and I'm grateful to Lotus for offering me this opportunity. I can't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.

Lotus, who would no longer race as Renault next year, finished fifth out of 12 teams after the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.

They have been looking for a permanent replacement driver after Robert Kubica suffered life-threatening injuries during a non-Formula 1 racing accident in February.

Out of contract with the team at the end of this year, the Pole's chances of racing next year look more remote after Raikkonen's appointment, although he has been linked to Ferrari.

Lotus have yet to announce who the Finn will partner, although Russian Vitaly Petrov has one year left of his contract for them.

Team owner Gerard Lopez added: "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."