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[LewEngBridewell]

Kimi Raikkonen has re-signed with Lotus for 2013!!!

Kimi Raikkonen has re-signed for Lotus, the team confirmed in a special promotional video on Monday morning.

The 2007 Formula 1 world champion, who returned to the sport at the beginning of this year after two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship, currently lies third in the 2012 drivers' standings.

The 33-year-old had long been expected to remain with Lotus for a second season. The team had an option for 2013 based upon certain performance criteria being met, which it has achieved comfortably.

Despite not winning a race on his return, Raikkonen has impressed with six podium finishes and has attained remarkable consistency, scoring points in every race except the Chinese Grand Prix and completing every racing lap in 2012 so far.

No word on Grosjean yet though.

[Frontrunner]

Kimi Raikkonen has re-signed with Lotus for 2013!!!

Kimi Raikkonen has re-signed for Lotus, the team confirmed in a special promotional video on Monday morning.

The 2007 Formula 1 world champion, who returned to the sport at the beginning of this year after two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship, currently lies third in the 2012 drivers' standings.

The 33-year-old had long been expected to remain with Lotus for a second season. The team had an option for 2013 based upon certain performance criteria being met, which it has achieved comfortably.

Despite not winning a race on his return, Raikkonen has impressed with six podium finishes and has attained remarkable consistency, scoring points in every race except the Chinese Grand Prix and completing every racing lap in 2012 so far.

No word on Grosjean yet though.

I think Eric Boullier has said that Grosjean will continue in 2013, I read something where Grosjean thanked Lotus for the "faith and support" and things along those lines. I would think they are just sorting out his contract or if not, it has probably already has been sorted.

[racechick]

Good. I'm glad Kimi is staying and think Grosjean is trying really hard not to crash........and he's good when he doesn't crash.

[andrew]

Anyone who allows Grosjean to step into an F1 car needs to have their head examined by top professionals. The guy is a danger and a menace.

[stonemonkey]

Who's performance was the option based on?

I really hope they can give Kimi a car to get some wins next year.

[Denthúl]

Anyone who allows Grosjean to step into an F1 car needs to have their head examined by top professionals. The guy is a danger and a menace.

[andrew]

Anyone who allows Grosjean to step into an F1 car needs to have their head examined by top professionals. The guy is a danger and a menace.

[Denthúl]

Anyone who allows Grosjean to step into an F1 car needs to have their head examined by top professionals. The guy is a danger and a menace.

It's quite an unfair description, really. He's not had the best season in terms of incidents, but he's hardly Yuji Ide #2. His racecraft is solid, he has speed and a good level of consistency; he isn't a no-hoper destined to trundle around at the back of the grid forever. He just needs to iron out the first-lap incidents and he'll be sorted.

[LewEngBridewell]

I wonder if Lotus will give Grosjean another chance? Still not seen any official confirmation...

[andrew]

They will but I don't feel he has earnt it. There are more deserving drivers out there who can actually start a race without driving into everyone at most races. What helps is that he's French in a French engined team with the powers that be looking for a return of the French GP.

[Denthúl]

I wonder if Lotus will give Grosjean another chance? Still not seen any official confirmation...

They should. He's a strong driver and they would be silly to drop him in favour of most of the drivers currently available for next season.

They will but I don't feel he has earnt it. There are more deserving drivers out there who can actually start a race without driving into everyone at most races. What helps is that he's French in a French engined team with the powers that be looking for a return of the French GP.

Such as?

[andrew]

Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil to name 2 straight off the top of my head that should have a decent seat.

[Denthúl]

Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil to name 2 straight off the top of my head.

I like Paul and he's a solid driver, but I don't think he's as fast as Grosjean.

As for Sutil, do you really think he'd ever have a chance of getting a drive with a team owned by Genii? He's another one I'd put in the solid second driver category, personally. But hey, someone is welcome to give him a chance and prove me wrong!

[darwin dali]

French GP could be coming in 2013

[Jabberwocky]

Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil to name 2 straight off the top of my head.

I like Paul and he's a solid driver, but I don't think he's as fast as Grosjean.

As for Sutil, do you really think he'd ever have a chance of getting a drive with a team owned by Genii? He's another one I'd put in the solid second driver category, personally. But hey, someone is welcome to give him a chance and prove me wrong!

He did offer to drive for them for free

using phone, so beware of predictive text errors.