Lotus set to announce Kimi extension

So it would appear that the BIG announcement due from Kimi Raikkonen on 17th October is that he is to stay on at the Lotus team next season. According to last week's Autosport Magazine the team have taken up their option on Kimi for next season and that it came into effect at the Singapore GrandPrix.

Kim has scored points in every race this season bar one in China when he dropped from second to 17th due to a mistake with his tyre's. I am absolutely delighted to hear the news that Kimi is set to stay in F1 next season. I know not to count my chicken's until the deal is announced but it certainly looks as if he is set to stay at the team.

At the Japanese GrandPrix at the weekend, the Iceman became the only driver to complete every single lap of every race so far this season and he is certainly the most consistent driver so far this year. It would be absolutely fantastic if he manages to finish ever race this season. Ironically the announcement dubbed 'What will Kimi Raikkonen Do Next? will come on Kimi's 33rd Birthday. 

The Finn currently lies in third in the championship and is yet to win a race this season and in my opinion this is a fantastic achievement when you consider that a number of driver's behind him in the championship have won numerous races this season. So if he could win one race this season it would cap an incredible comeback season for the Finn.

Do I believe Kimi can win a race this season? Absolutely, and I'm not just saying that because I am a fan of his and the Lotus team. With race's to go this season, the team are currently 4th in the championship with a raft of new developments coming for the Korean GrandPrix so they could potentially leave Korea in third place but we shall wait and see what happens, equally they could leave Korea even further behind Ferrari but we shall see what happens.

Even if the team don't manage to win a race this season, they can certainly claim this season to be a huge success as they have met their target's. The team are in their predicted four place in the Constructor's championship and are currently 103 points ahead of Mercedes AMG who are in 5th having won a race this season.

This weekend's GrandPrix in Korea will be the first outing on the circuit for both Lotus driver's and when Kimi Raikkonen was asked during an interview 'How did he learn new track's? Kimi replied in typical fashion saying 'I drive it' haha...brilliant. Kimi will also have a first outing at the India GrandPrix two week's later.