The big announcement turns out to be that The Lotus F1 Team have secured the services of THE ICEMAN, Kimi Raikkonen will be back in Formula One in 2012 after a two year break away in the World Rally Championship.
Across the world of Formula One this is massive news, Kimi has returned to sport that he hasn't competed in since 2009 when he was racing for Ferrari. That year turned out to be a disappointment for the Finn as he managed to score just the one win in Belgium. Some sections of the Formula One media felt that it was a massive gamble by Lotus in bringing Kimi back but we shall see what happens.
Winter testing will be underway in the new year, however due to the fact that Kimi has been away from the sport for two years he needs to get up to speed. There is a new tyre supplier in F1. Bridgestone were there when Kimi last drove in F1, now we have Pirelli, who are entering their second season as the sole tyre provider for the sport.
Before he can testing Lotus asked asked the sports governing body the FIA if they would grant Kimi permission to test an old spec Renault F1 car. The FIA agree and in January Kimi and the Lotus team head to Valencia so the Finn can get to grips with an F1 car once again. He is immediately quick and after a couple of laps it is apparent that he has lost none of his speed. The big question on everyone's lips is what will the 2012 Lotus be like? We don't have long to wait as launches are coming up think and fast.
On Sunday 5th February the team launch their 2012 car known as the Lotus Renault E20 as it is the 20th car to be designed and built in their Enstone base. At the launch it is announced that Kimi will be joined at the team by another F1 returnee, French Swiss driver Romain Grosejan will partner the Iceman this year. Former Marussia F1 driver Jerome D'Ambrosio joins the team as official test and reserve driver.
The new E20 looks incredible the question is will the car perform as well as it looks as Winter testing gets underway....TO BE CONTINUED
No comments:
Post a Comment