Lotus have confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen has extended his contract for another season to remain at the Enstone outfit in 2013.
The Finn returned to Formula One at the start of 2012 after a two-year period competing in the World Rally Championship. His comeback has been praised following some impressive performances, including six podiums, which currently see him sitting third in the championship.
The 2007 champion said the decision was “an obvious choice” given how competitive they’ve been and said he would never have expected to be fighting for the championship in his first year back.
“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,” he said.
“I feel very comfortable with Lotus 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.”
Lotus are yet to confirm who will partner Raikkonen, with doubts cast over Romain Grosjean after his many collisions which resulted in a one-race ban.
