Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team shown at the Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain February 6th , 2012. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Raikkonen Wanted 2010 Return 'For Money' - Lopez: Gerard Lopez has revealed that he doubted Kimi Raikkonen was ready to return to Formula One last year. Then called Renault, Lotus had talks with the Finn during the 2010 season that ultimately failed. Almost two years on, the 2007 world champion will return to the grid with the Enstone based team next month. So what went wrong in 2010? "We felt that he was not 100 per cent ready to let go of rallying. If he had come to us under those circumstances, it would have been because of money," Lopez told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. A year on, Lotus resumed talks with the 32-year-old 'iceman'. "I called Kimi directly. Without management, without anybody knowing anything. And I got the feeling very quickly that Formula One was again at the front of his mind," added Lopez. Raikkonen won 18 grands prix with McLaren and Ferrari.

Keke Rosberg Tips Caterham To Step Up In 2012: 1982 World Champion Keke Rosberg has tipped Caterham to take a "step forward" in 2012. But the Finn, whose son is the Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, also said Heikki Kovalainen's team could face a speed-bump in the form of its scheduled factory move. "That will be a big distraction," Rosberg, 63, told the MTV3 broadcaster. "It's not just moving a few machines but hundreds of people, not all of whom will want to move schools and children and the like. Let's see how they cope with it." As for the former Lotus team's overall prospects for this season, however, Rosberg said: "They will probably go one step up from where they were last year, if only because they now have KERS in the picture. "That should reduce the gap to Williams and Force India." Rosberg said he is a supporter of the small teams, like Caterham and the struggling Marussia and HRT. "You have to start somewhere; you can't come along and be Ferrari. And there is a need for the small teams, otherwise you would just have McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. You need the top teams, the midfield teams and the small teams. "Hopefully one day they can develop into a big team -- remember Stewart became Jaguar and finally Red Bull."

Red Bull Has 'Clever' Exhaust Solution - Caubet: Red Bull has devised a "clever" way of reclaiming some of the downforce lost through the banning of blown diffusers. That is the claim of Jean Francois Caubet, who is in charge of the team's engine supplier Renault. Red Bull, the reigning back to back world champions, and Renault Sport F1 have worked more closely than ever before ahead of their 2012 title defense. "Formula one is about creativity," Caubet is quoted by Germany's Auto Bild, "and although the rules have changed, we have worked with Red Bull and found a solution to compensate for the loss of performance." Last year, the cars acquired extra downforce through the 'blowing' of hot engine exhaust gases into the diffuser, even when the driver was off the throttle. It is rumored that, despite the FIA's ban, some teams have flown close to the letter of the new rules with their new solutions. "It is not the same as before," Caubet continued, "but a clever development that could make the difference."

Karter Sena Injured, Not Bruno Senna: Bruno Senna has calmed a wave of fears about his health by declaring "I'm fine". Rumours buzzed around the internet that the Williams driver had been injured less than a month before the 2012 season. In fact, the injured driver is Japanese karter Sakaguchi Sena. "Guys, I'm fine," Senna wrote on Twitter. "There's been a confusion about me hurting myself. "Whoever it is that actually got hurt, I wish him a speedy recovery."

Perez Backer Slim Not Ruling Out Ferrari Future: Sergio Perez's backer has admitted a move for the Mexican driver to Ferrari is not out of the question for 2013.Already a part of Ferrari's driver program, Perez is also strongly backed by Telmex, the telcom headed by the world's richest man, Carlos Slim.Slim's son, Carlos Slim Domit, controls Telmex's formula one program, which is currently in the form of sponsorship of the Ferrari-powered Sauber team.But Perez, 22, is tipped to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari next year."His most important challenge is this season," Slim Domit told Spain's AS sports newspaper. "A good championship in 2012 can put him into the frame with the best teams, but a bad year would have the opposite effect," he admitted. "It is true that there is a relationship with Ferrari on two levels -- with them being the engine supplier of Sauber and the other because he (Perez) is in their young (driver) program. "It's a tough sport where results matter and, as such, the future will be clearer," added Slim. He was also asked if Telmex has considered buying a F1 team, amid reports recently that the Slim family is interested in struggling HRT. "I don't know," answered slim. "In our case, being not directly involved allows us to select the team we work with and we do not change our strategy."

2013 France GP Project 'Not Dead' - Minister: France's sports minister insists the country is still on course to return to the Formula One calendar. Recently, a deal to see the Paul Ricard circuit annually share a Grand Prix date with Belgium's fabled Spa-Francorchamps seemed imminent. But although the key meeting with Bernie Ecclestone took place nearly a month ago now, sports minister David Douillet said the 2013 French Grand Prix "is not dead". "We have three new French drivers in F1 and so we have to have a Grand Prix de France," he is quoted by TF1 television. "That's my job. "France is the land of the Grand Prix," added Douillet. "I met with Bernie Ecclestone and he is totally willing to share it between Belgium and France. "He has mobilized and motivated local Governments for the financing of the event, even if we are yet to have all the details from our Belgian friends. "There are also some details to go with one or two of the close cities. We are almost there," he insisted.

Pirelli Closer To Deal For 2010 Test Car: Pirelli is closer to finding a solution to its current lack of a F1 test car. In the past two years, the sport's Italian supplier has used the last car raced by defunct team Toyota to develop its tires. But Paul Hembery, Pirelli motor sport director, has said the 2009-spec TF109 is now too outdated and has been retired. It is believed the marque initially intended

The 2012 season is the second for Pirelli as Formula One's official tire supplier. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

to find an agreement to run a competitive 2011-spec car, but the new plan could be to acquire a single seater from the 2010 season. "We do most of the work in the simulator," Hembery told the El Pais newspaper, "but it's more difficult to work on the compounds because it requires the interactivity with the asphalt." The Briton admitted that, so far, the teams have been unhelpful in terms of agreeing a solution for a new-specification car, because of the potential performance advantage that could be gained by the chosen team. "We have asked for help and they tell us that we should continue with the Toyota, and that's nonsense," added Hembery. He said talks are still taking place. "We have to find a car that was competitive in 2010, which was reliable and that allows us to incorporate all the systems that allow us to do our work."

Trulli Proud Of F1 Career 'Without Help': The Italian press has pointed the finger at Vitaly Petrov's "rubles" as Jarno Trulli races out of Formula One. With Vitantonio Liuzzi replaced at HRT by Narain Karthikeyan, and veteran Trulli ousted at Caterham by Petrov, F1 history enters a new phase as Italy no longer has a single driver on the grid. "If you look," said former grand prix winner Riccardo Patrese to La Stampa, "the drivers coming in now are from central America and the East." The unsponsored Trulli, 37, said he still wants to race but also has his wine and hotel businesses to keep him busy. "More than anything else, apart from the results, I am proud to have been able to fulfil my dream of racing in F1 for many years and stay on the grid on my own power, without anybody's help," he is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.