Silverstone 2012 | Monaco 2012 | Valencia 2012 | Hockenheimring 2012 | Spa 2012 | Monza 2012 | Silverstone Tickets | F1 Merchandise

Posts Tagged ‘ Lotus ’

Kimi Raikkonen Returns to F1 2012 with Renault

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 next season after signing a two-year deal with Renault, who will become Lotus in 2012.

Kimi Raikkonen - F1 2012 - Lotus Renault

The 32-year-old left F1 at the end of 2009 to pursue a career in rallying.

The Finn was strongly linked with a move to Williams just a few week ago, but Renault have pounced for his signature after it was confirmed that Robert Kubica will miss the start of next season due to the injuries he sustained during a rallying accident earlier this year.

“My hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming,” said Raikkonen. “It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP.”

The Finn, who won the title in 2007 with Ferrari, added: “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.

“My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver.”

Kimi made his Formula One debut back in 2001 with Sauber. He then spent five seasons with McLaren, from 2002 to 2006, winning nine Grands Prix and twice finishing runner-up in the drivers’ championship. He moved to Ferrari for 2007.

Team owner Gerard Lopez said the high-profile signing of Raikkonen was one of several steps the squad are taking to return to the front of F1, adding that he is delighted to have captured the services of a world champion.

“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,” he said.

Raikkonen’s return to F1 means there will be six World Champions on the grid next year as the Finn will line up next to Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel.

Lotus will return to F1 in 2010

Lotus will return to F1 in 2010

Lotus are to return to Formula 1 next season for the first time since 1994.

The Malaysian-funded outfit have been awarded the final grid spot and join Campos GP, Manor and US F1 as one of four new teams for 2010.

The FIA has given current team BMW Sauber “14th place” for next season, meaning they are now first reserves.

However, motorsport’s governing body says it will “consult urgently” with the 10 existing teams to expand the grid from 13 to 14 teams for 2010.

“The FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams,” read an FIA statement released on Tuesday.

Lotus confirmed for 2010 as FIA pushes for 14 teams

Following an intensive selection and due diligence process, the FIA has awarded the 13th entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship to the new Lotus team.

The FIA also received an impressive application from the BMW Sauber team. As such, it has awarded BMW Sauber the ’14th place’ in the championship meaning that it will be entitled to fill any vacancy that arises on the 2010 grid.

In addition, the FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams. The FIA will be consulting urgently with the existing teams regarding the introduction of an appropriate rule change to expand the grid to 28 cars in time for the first Grand Prix in 2010.


f1-gp.info is not affiliated with Formula 1, Formula One Management, Formula One Administration, Formula One Licensing BV or any other subsidiary associated with the official Formula One governing organizations or their shareholders. Official Formula One information can be found here: www.formula1.com. Copyrighted material used under Fair Use. If you are the copyright holder and believe your material has been used unfairly, or if you have any suggestions, feedback or support, please contact us.