OCTOBER 29, 2012

Kimi Raikkonen stays at Lotus for 2013

2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will stay on at Lotus-Renault to drive for another season, the team announced today.

2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will stay on at Lotus-Renault to drive for another season, the team announced today.

The Finn originally signed a two year deal, but the option for the second year depended on the team achieving certain goals in the standings.

Raikkonen returned to Formula One at the beginning of this season after two years competing in the World Rally Championship, and has scored six podium finishes so far this season and currently lies third in the 2012 drivers' standings.

Raikkonen said, "I think my return to Formula 1 has gone pretty well and the team has done a very good job all year so far. 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. I feel very comfortable with Lotus F1 Team 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."

Team Principal, Eric Boullier said, "Kimi has made an exceptional comeback to Formula 1. From the first time he sat in the car this year it was clear he had lost none of his pace or technical feedback and we have been rewarded by a focused and motivated driver all season. For Lotus F1 Team to be fighting for such strong championship positions this year is in no small part attributed to Kimi's talent and experience of racing. It was a natural conclusion for us to confirm that we will be harnessing his abilities for next season."

Raikkonen raced for McLaren for five years before joining Ferrari in 2007, winning the title in his first season with the Italian team.