Lotus driver Raikkonen returns to wheel of F1 car
Monday, January 23, 2012
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen was behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in over two years on Monday in preparation for his return to the sport with Lotus.
Raikkonen is coming back from a two-year stint in rallying. He says "I don't think I've lost any speed" after he drove a Renault car at Valencia's Cheste circuit as a practice for the new F1 season.
The 2007 world champion last raced at the close of 2009. He is taking part in a two-day warmup ahead of the season's first official testing session for all teams next month.
Raikkonen can test for Lotus, formerly Renault, under current regulations because the car is over 2 years old.
The 32-year-old Finn previously drove for Ferrari and McLaren.
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