2007 world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, has signed a 2 year contract to drive for the Lotus Renault team next season. The Finn has been racing rally cars and living it up large since leaving his multi-million contract at Ferrari at the end of 2009, but apparently has rediscovered his "hunger" to compete in F1 and was looking to sign for Williams.
All this is wonderful news for F1 and its fans who have missed the unorthodox and very talented Finn, except maybe for Bruno Senna and Vitaly Petrov who are now battling for the one seat left at the team. In fact, on the same day Raikkonen was signed, Petrov was given till Dec 10 to decide if he was remaining with the team.
It remains to be seen if Senna and Petrov are merely just warming the seat for Kubica while the talented Pole slowly recovers from serious injuries sustained earlier this year.
The question is will Raikkonen have enough motivation to compete for mid-to-lesser points against the likes of the Force Indias, Toro Rossos, Mercedes and Felipe Massa for much of next season?
But it's good to have the Ice-Man back. He may have his many critics but golly, he does know how to drive a car fast and well.
Not sure that Lotus could lay claim to being the head of the pack behind the big 4 or being better than Williams. They were beaten in the constructors championship by the works Renault team, Force India, Sauber, Torro Rosso, and by Williams! I also reckon that Kubica is not 'uncertain' anymore, he isnt coming back to Renault, and will not be in F1 next season. His manager has already confirmed this. Cant wait to see next season though. Lets just hope that the teams can provide all these world champions with cars that are capable of winning the championship!
ReplyDeleteRe: Anonymous, I think you'll find this year's Renault team will be Lotus next year - the one with black and gold livery. The outfit you're refering to as Lotus with the green and gold livery that is owned by Tony Fernandes will become Caterham. Fair mistake though as it has been rather confusing this season. But Kimi is definitely racing for the team once called Renault.
ReplyDeleteFair enough, but in that case you cannot say "Lotus are very much at the head of the pack that isn't McLaren/Ferrari/Red Bull/Mercedes" when you actually mean "Renault are very much at the head of the pack that isn't McLaren/Ferrari/Red Bull/Mercedes". This year Lotus was not ahead. You can't rename the team and then refer to them by their new name looking back at past seasons. That's when it would get even more confusing!
ReplyDeleteThe Renault team was officially Group Lotus Renault just to confuse things!
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