Raikkonen's last F1 victory was at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix - Photo Credit: Ferrari
Renault have announced this morning that Kimi Räikkönen has signed a two-year deal with the team and will return to the sport in 2012 after a two-year break.
The 2007 World Champion, who is now 32, can boast 18 wins, 62 podiums and 16 pole positions from his last stint in the sport. His return also means that there will be a record of six world champions on the grid next season.
“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 Räikkönen. “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.”
Gérard Lopez, Chairman of Genii Capital, who own the team that will be known as Lotus next season, welcomed the Finn. “All year long, we kept saying that our team was at the start of a brand new cycle,” he said. “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.”
