Raikkonen looking forward to F1 return
Posted January 5, 2012 7:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Kimi Raikkonen isn’t letting critics get to him during his Formula One comeback.
Raikkonen signed a two-year deal with Lotus in November and lashed out at those who believe the 2007 F1 champion can’t compete with the stars in auto racing.
“There has been quite a bit of noise in the press about my comeback and there have been a lot of rumours,” Raikkonen told Lotus’ official website. “It has no effect on me.
“Sometimes you hear nonsense and sometimes you hear nice things. The main thing is that coming back is what I wanted and I have a good opportunity with the team so I’m happy.
The 32-year-old Finn left Ferrari after the 2009 season and has spent the last two years racing in the World Rally Championship, finishing 10th in the driver standings both times.
“I have never really looked at what people say or think,” Raikkonen said. “I do my own thing and as long as I’m happy with it then that’s the main thing for me.”
Raikkonen was at Enstone factory in central England on Thursday for a seat fitting and admitted it was bizarre being behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time since his departure.
“It felt a bit odd at first because the cockpit seems a bit small but that’s normal. It’s just like in the past when I have done seat fittings,” Raikkonen explained.
“It feels a bit strange when you first step into the car but you quickly adjust. It will be nice to get back to racing.”
