Lotus Renault made a big signing recently that will see 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen returning to the sport and the first female F1 driver in 20 years may be driving for them next season. F1 is getting interesting.
After two years competing in the World Rally Championship, Kimi Raikkonen is set to return to Formula 1 for the 2012 season. The ‘Ice Man’ as Kimi is sometimes called, made the shift to off-road racing after being dropped by Ferrari back in ’09.
Sadly for Kimi, the rally career never really took off after he had two pretty un-eventful seasons. Many have anticipated Kimi’s return to F1, however, his comeback has already been compared to that of Michael Schumacher, who we all know hasn’t had the greatest of races since his return.
The current F1 champion, Sebastian Vettel has thrown his two cents in and said Kimi might have a hard time re-acclimatising himself to the sport due to the many changes with the cars such as KERS and DRS.
“We can look at Michael’s comeback. He left when he was at the top but when he returned he said that much had changed and that he needed time to adjust,” Vettel told France’s 20minutes.fr.
“If I look at the car I drove two years ago, so many things have changed… It’s amazing.
“Even during the season new buttons appear on wheel. I can imagine that it would be difficult to return straight away to the same level as before.”
In other Lotus Renault F1 news, the team is in talks with the female Spanish Superleague Formula racer Maria de Villota. Maria revealed she is close to signing a contract with the team to become their reserve driver.
She said her role would be focused on being the Friday practise driver or replacement driver, with hopes of being on the grid by 2013.
Here’s what the 31-year-old looks like, in case you didn’t know:
