Lotus has refused Kimi Raikkonen permission to contest this year's Rally Finland. The Finn, who returned to formula one in 2012 after two years in world rallying, admitted this week he wanted to do the Finnish rally in August but "you'll have to ask the team if it fits in my contract". "Contractually he cannot do it. End of story," Lotus team boss Eric Boullier told Reuters in Monaco.
Boullier admitted the fact the Enstone based team's former regular driver, Robert Kubica, was seriously injured in a rally shunt was a factor in his decision. "Obviously there is a trauma here after 2011 ... rally, skiing, jumping is not allowed." When pointed out that Raikkonen hurt his wrist during a snowmobile race after signing his 2012 contract, Boullier explained: "He started to race for us in 2012, not 2011, so he was (still) under contract with another brand (then)."
Raikkonen, however, admitted he still enjoys the team atmosphere at Lotus. "Here I am able to do my own thing, to live a normal life like other people," he is quoted by DPA news agency. "Of course they expect certain things from me, but I don't need to be working 24 hours a day. Freedom is important -- no one wants to be in prison. The most important thing is that what I am doing makes me happy." (GMM)
Lotus says no to Raikkonen's rally request
- Published on 25 May 2012 11:11
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Is Webber already planning Piastri's Red Bull escape route?Oscar Piastri's manager Mark Webber is preparing contingency plans for the Australian driver to leave McLaren, ac...
29 Jun 2026 14:17 -
Red Bull intensifies talks with Verstappen's manager as exit loomsRed Bull Racing held another round of talks with Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen on Saturday, seeking ...
29 Jun 2026 13:16 -
What Zak Brown really said about signing Max VerstappenZak Brown has addressed speculation linking Max Verstappen to McLaren for the first time, stating that while he has n...
29 Jun 2026 12:14 -
What the international press said about Verstappen's Austria performanceMax Verstappen finished second at the Austrian Grand Prix after recovering from a qualifying crash, finishing just 1....
29 Jun 2026 11:13 -
Why Verstappen isn't frustrated by Red Bull's strategy callMax Verstappen has refused to criticise Red Bull after a strategic miscalculation cost him victory to George Russell....
29 Jun 2026 10:11
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Team profile
- Team name Lotus F1
- Base Enstone, United Kingdom
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Romain Grosjean 10
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 65,124 comments on Lotus F1
16 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Lotus F1
Replies (0)
Login to reply