Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012

SilentEngine · 29th November 2011, 14:21

Awesome news! Can't wait for next season.
Anybody for bets on spa 2012 result?

myavu · 29th November 2011, 14:50

See who is in LRGP team gear!

Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012-190837.jpg

Source : Photos - Raikkonen signs deal Lotus Renault GP - GPUpdate.net

Cheers!

Vinu

Hatari · 29th November 2011, 14:52

Breaking news indeed. Looking forward to seeing how long it takes him to return to speed, given how long Michael is taking.

anachronix · 29th November 2011, 15:49

Kimi's first interview with LRGP

Kimi Raikkonen's first interview about his return to F1 with LRGP - YouTube

tantragna · 29th November 2011, 15:50

Expected move, as his WRC outing was not his style of competition.

I followed this entire WRC 2011 season, and found out that it was not his piece of cake in the dust to glory! Not even on the sealed surface rounds!

Hope he gets back on form to his former glory.

kaynmantis · 29th November 2011, 16:36

Gawd! Its getting crowded with world champs out there

Next year formula is going to be a jooooy! to watch. Being a big fan of kimi myself, am keeping my expectation minimum as renault/lotus does not appear to be competitive. hope they pull some surprises. Nevertheless, this is one exciting news.

aditya116 · 29th November 2011, 18:38

he looks a bit chubby in the new pics,looks like it will take a few months to get back in top shape.it will be a difficult job to acclimatise to new car given the ever shortening winter testing limits.

StarrySky · 29th November 2011, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatari

Breaking news indeed. Looking forward to seeing how long it takes him to return to speed, given how long Michael is taking.

I'll be surprised if it takes Kimi as long as it has taken for MS for two reasons:
1. Age! Kimi is 10 years younger.
2. MS spend his retirement years out of competitive motorsport. Kimi has been an active driver for the last 2 years, just not in F1. He should be fitter and sharper than MS was when he made his comeback.

hiren.mistry · 29th November 2011, 21:38

Finally I have a reason to watch F1 again. Welcome back Iceman, you've been missed.
But seriously after last year's Boulier's outburst I'm surprised to see Kimi in that team.

Hope he succeeds.
Go Kimi!

AdityaLN · 29th November 2011, 21:45

Amazing news!! I am a big fan of Kimi, he was one of the reasons I continued to watch F1 after Mika left.
However, I don't think he will be in a position to challenge the big boys. His team simply doesn't have a competitive car or the budget. Let's see how this pans out..

PuntoMania · 30th November 2011, 13:48

Great news. Though I think he will take some time to adapt to the new cars, atleast 3-4 races. The Pirellis are a massive learning curve for someone who has only used the super durable Michelins and Bridgestones all through his career.

smashnerd · 30th November 2011, 14:44

Oh, yeah! I'm gonna watch F1 just to see him drive. Last race I saw was Vettel's first race win more than two years ago. It's great to have the Iceman back! Hope he fares better than Schumi. And yes, Spa....I can almost see magic happening.

Kartik Krishnan · 30th November 2011, 15:47

With Iceman's return, the coming season is turning into a lineup of champs.
Hopefully the action of tracks would match up to it!

And personally, Schumi seems like he's going to have a way better season next time!

sgiitk · 30th November 2011, 15:55

Next get Lauda and Stewart. We can then have a dad's and granddad's army.

Maybe I am being too harsh. Normally a driver quits because there is a perception that he may not have it in him. Very seldom it is boredom.

Technology moves very fast so he has a lot of learning to do.

sanjeev.d · 30th November 2011, 16:02

It indeed becomes disappointing to driving legends from the past not matching up to the history that had created.
Schumi's return might have disappointed many, but I'm hoping for the best with this news.

29th November 2011, 14:21	#46
SilentEngine Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: KA19,KA04 Posts: 1,167 Thanked: 735 Times View My Garage	Awesome news! Can't wait for next season. Anybody for bets on spa 2012 result?
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 14:50	#47
myavu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi - Kochi Posts: 1,503 Thanked: 1,721 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? See who is in LRGP team gear! Source : Photos - Raikkonen signs deal Lotus Renault GP - GPUpdate.net Cheers! Vinu
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 14:52	#48
Hatari Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,872 Thanked: 874 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Breaking news indeed. Looking forward to seeing how long it takes him to return to speed, given how long Michael is taking.
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 15:50	#50
tantragna BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 226 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Expected move, as his WRC outing was not his style of competition. I followed this entire WRC 2011 season, and found out that it was not his piece of cake in the dust to glory! Not even on the sealed surface rounds! Hope he gets back on form to his former glory.
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 16:36	#51
kaynmantis BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 191 Thanked: 9 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Gawd! Its getting crowded with world champs out there Next year formula is going to be a jooooy! to watch. Being a big fan of kimi myself, am keeping my expectation minimum as renault/lotus does not appear to be competitive. hope they pull some surprises. Nevertheless, this is one exciting news.
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 18:38	#52
aditya116 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: calicut Posts: 317 Thanked: 51 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? he looks a bit chubby in the new pics,looks like it will take a few months to get back in top shape.it will be a difficult job to acclimatise to new car given the ever shortening winter testing limits.
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 21:38	#54
hiren.mistry Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bombay, London Posts: 1,240 Thanked: 996 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Finally I have a reason to watch F1 again. Welcome back Iceman, you've been missed. But seriously after last year's Boulier's outburst I'm surprised to see Kimi in that team. Hope he succeeds. Go Kimi!
	() Thanks

29th November 2011, 21:45	#55
AdityaLN BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 83 Thanked: 24 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Amazing news!! I am a big fan of Kimi, he was one of the reasons I continued to watch F1 after Mika left. However, I don't think he will be in a position to challenge the big boys. His team simply doesn't have a competitive car or the budget. Let's see how this pans out..
	() Thanks

30th November 2011, 13:48	#56
PuntoMania BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 218 Thanked: 249 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Great news. Though I think he will take some time to adapt to the new cars, atleast 3-4 races. The Pirellis are a massive learning curve for someone who has only used the super durable Michelins and Bridgestones all through his career.
	() Thanks

30th November 2011, 14:44	#57
smashnerd BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kottayam Posts: 457 Thanked: 22 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012? Oh, yeah! I'm gonna watch F1 just to see him drive. Last race I saw was Vettel's first race win more than two years ago. It's great to have the Iceman back! Hope he fares better than Schumi. And yes, Spa....I can almost see magic happening.
	() Thanks

30th November 2011, 15:47	#58
Kartik Krishnan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 101 Thanked: 15 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012 With Iceman's return, the coming season is turning into a lineup of champs. Hopefully the action of tracks would match up to it! And personally, Schumi seems like he's going to have a way better season next time!
	() Thanks

30th November 2011, 15:55	#59
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012 Next get Lauda and Stewart. We can then have a dad's and granddad's army. Maybe I am being too harsh. Normally a driver quits because there is a perception that he may not have it in him. Very seldom it is boredom. Technology moves very fast so he has a lot of learning to do.
	() Thanks

30th November 2011, 16:02	#60
sanjeev.d BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 35 Thanked: 7 Times	Re: Raikkonen to return to F1 in 2012 It indeed becomes disappointing to driving legends from the past not matching up to the history that had created. Schumi's return might have disappointed many, but I'm hoping for the best with this news.
	() Thanks