Renault confirms Kimi Raikkonen for 2012.

[grumpyoldb]

Renault has announced that Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 racing next year, after securing a two-year deal to compete with the squad. Raikkonen, who had left Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season after being dropped by Ferrari, had been in talks with the Williams team about a possible return next year, but the deal fell through.
That promted speculation of a Renault tie-up, with team principal Eric Boullier confirming in Brazil last weekend that the Finn was on the shortlist of candidates for 2012 - when his outfit will be renamed Lotus.

Speaking about his return, Raikkonen said: "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. 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.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96573

Well, well. Looks like the stories of Kubica signing for Ferrari for 2013 could have some foundation in them.

 

[MrMasher]

Ace. It'll be good to see Kimi back on the grid. Who will be his team mate, Senna or Petrov?

I wonder if Massa will have to step aside sometime next season when Kubica is ready to drive. Massa really has lacked something since his smash up, he shouldn't have come back in my opinion.

 

[Rocket_Ronster]

Massa really has lacked something since his smash up, he shouldn't have come back in my opinion.

I don`t think he`s mentally tough enough to stand up to Alonso and Ferrari`s favouritism. It must have felt like a bit of knife twisting the other day when Fernando was complimenting Hamiltons driving/will-to-win.

As to Kimi, i can`t see him doing anything that one of the youngsters couldn`t be doing cheaper.

 

[monobrow]

Ace. It'll be good to see Kimi back on the grid. Who will be his team mate, Senna or Petrov?

It will be good to see him back as long as he's not lost anything in his break from F1. However Lotus best keep the Magnums stocked up...

 

[grumpyoldb]

It will be good to see him back as long as he's not lost anything in his break from F1. However Lotus best keep the Magnums stocked up...

Is that the ice creams or the cider..............? DT_Xtremez_42: DT_Xtremez_31:

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Ace. It'll be good to see Kimi back on the grid. Who will be his team mate, Senna or Petrov?

I wonder if Massa will have to step aside sometime next season when Kubica is ready to drive. Massa really has lacked something since his smash up, he shouldn't have come back in my opinion.

Out of interest MM, since The Iceman returns, are you now binning your loyalty to Carlos Fandango Alsoran??DT_Xtremez_31:

 

[grumpyoldb]

Could be an interesting scenario next year with the top runners all running world champs.

Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Merc, and Renault/Lotus or whatever they call themselves next week.

 

[MrMasher]

6 world champs on the grid, let's hope next season is interesting.

Personally I found this season extremely boring. The overtaking seemed fake and the DRS zones weren't quite right.