F1: Raikkonen To Stay With Lotus Next Season

Formula 1

F1: Raikkonen To Stay With Lotus Next Season

Lotus team boss Eric Boullier says Kimi Raikkonen has made an exceptional comeback to Formula One...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted October 29, 2012 New Delhi (IND)

Lotus Renault driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland speaks during a news conference at The Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 25, 2012 ahead of the Formula One Indian Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

Lotus F1 confirmed today that Kimi Raikkonen will stay on for a second season in 2013.

The team made the announcement via Twitter and a simple YouTube video.

The Finn’s deal always had an option related to next season but until now neither side was able to confirm that it would be taken up.

After his strong comeback season he attracted interest from elsewhere – notably Ferrari – but in recent weeks any doors at front running teams were closed. Speaking to SPEED.com recently about other offers he said: “There’s always a lot of talk, there was talk about McLaren, now there’s talks about Ferrari, always talks about everything. I’m happy here with what we’re doing now.”

Regarding staying at Lotus he said: “It’s not been confirmed, like we’ve seen in F1 it doesn’t count much when you’ve got a contract!”

However that detail has now been taken care of.

“I think my return to Formula One has gone pretty well and the team has done a very good job all year so far,” said Raikkonen in a statement. “To be honest, I didn’t expect to be fighting for the Drivers’ Championship this season when you look at where the team was in 2011, so it has been great to be on the podium so many times and to score points on a regular basis.

“I feel very comfortable with Lotus F1 Team and we share the same philosophy of racing. Continuing with the team was an obvious choice for me and I’m looking forward to making another step forward together next year.”

Team boss Eric Boullier added: “Kimi has made an exceptional comeback to Formula One. From the first time he sat in the car this year it was clear he had lost none of his pace or technical feedback and we have been rewarded by a focused and motivated driver all season.

“For Lotus F1 Team to be fighting for such strong championship positions this year is in no small part attributed to Kimi’s talent and experience of racing. It was a natural conclusion for us to confirm that we will be harnessing his abilities for next season.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.