user icon
icon

Salo backs countryman Raikkonen to quit Lotus

<< Return to the news list
Salo backs countryman Raikkonen to quit Lotus
Late last week, there was no sign Kimi Raikkonen was planning to sit out the last two grands prix of his Lotus career.

Indeed, late on Friday, the team released its official preview of the US grand prix, in which it appeared the Finn's now tense relationship with Lotus had eased.

"He is completely on-side," said team boss Eric Boullier, while Raikkonen was quoted as saying he was "particularly looking forward" to the race weekend.

Within two days, Lotus was issuing a new statement, confirming Raikkonen is out for imminent back surgery.

"Was Kimi sitting comfortably for his seat fitting at Ferrari on Thursday, I wonder?" Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin commented cynically on Twitter.

"You'd think Lotus might have delayed issuing their race preview on Friday if there was an imminent risk of surgery," he added.

Indeed, as Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said the surgery had to happen this week because of "severe pain", the timing of the Ferrari seat fitting is also awkward.

The well-connected La Gazzetta dello Sport said Raikkonen was in Maranello last Thursday, where he also met with new bosses Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali.

Former F1 driver Mika Salo, however, backed Raikkonen's decision to sit out Austin and Brazil in order to have back surgery.

"It has been a problem for Kimi for a long time," the Finn told the broadcaster MTV3.

"He was going to have it done in the winter anyway, so when thinking about all that has happened with Lotus - the wages, the deteriorating atmosphere - then I think this is the right decision," added Salo.

"It will give him more time to recover before the tests start in January."

However, Raikkonen's management says the driver will only have to recover for a four week period, which suggests the surgery could have been done after the season finale late this month.

His absence is a real blow to financially-struggling Lotus, who were hoping to improve on fourth in the lucrative constructors' world championship.

"This surgery may cost Lotus millions," said MTV3 commentator Oskari Saari. "There is a big (financial) difference between second and fourth."
F1 News Ferrari Lotus F1

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

More news

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Pos
Team
Points
1
Mercedes
379
2
Ferrari
307
3
McLaren
220
4
Red Bull Racing
177
5
Alpine F1
64
6
Racing Bulls
63
7
Haas F1
21
8
Audi
12
9
Williams
11
10
Aston Martin
1
Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China
Shanghai International Circuit
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
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
See full schedule

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
China Shanghai International Circuit
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
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary Hungaroring
See full schedule

Team profile

Ferrari
Show full profile
show sidebar