Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 with Renault (soon to be Lotus) in 2012 following confirmation that the team have agreed a deal with the Finn.
Paddock speculation had placed Raikkonen at Williams in 2012 as Rubens Barrichello’s replacement, but that deal fell through after he demanded an equity stake in the team.
Raikkonen left Ferrari in 2009 after winning the championship in 2007 with the Italian outfit. Many had questioned his commitment to the sport as his pace declined after the ’07 season, and his then teammate Felipe Massa, began to outrace the 32-year-old.
During his two years away from F1, Raikkonen competed in the 2010 World Rally Championships with the Citroen Junior Team before setting up his own team, ICE 1 Racing for the 2011 season – he finished tenth in both seasons.
He also participated in a single race for NEMCO Motorsports during the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series.
The 18-time race winner will now return to F1 with Renault the team, having signed a two year deal.
“I’m delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I’m grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity,” said Raikkonen. “My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can’t deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.
“It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as 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.”
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. Of course, we are all looking forward to working with a world champion. On behalf of our staff, I’d like to welcome Kimi to Enstone, a setting that has always been known for its human approach to Formula 1.”
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