From GMM and Autosport
Former Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen could return in Formula 1 alongside Robert Kubica at the Renault F1 team next season.
Reports on Tuesday indicate that Kimi Raikkonen has approached the Renault Formula 1 team.
Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed to British motorsport magazine Autosport that Raikkonen had indeed approached the team, and is in contention for a seat alongside Kubica in 2011.
"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told Autosport.
"He is on the radar because he contacted us."
Kubica’s current teammate, Russian Vitaly Petrov may be offloaded to Team Lotus, which will almost certainly be powered by Renault V-8 engines next year.
Petrov had a fairly poor weekend at Monza, but when speaking to reporters on Thursday, he insisted he would still be in the paddock in one year.
"I will be in F1 in 2011," he said.
However, one of the attractions of Petrov is the commercial possibilities he opens up in Russia, especially for the financial and investment companies of Gérard Lopez, co-owner of the Renault team.
Boullier confirmed that Renault would have to change its commercial approach if it decided to hire Raikkonen instead of Petrov next season.
Former Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen could return in Formula 1 alongside Robert Kubica at the Renault F1 team next season.
Reports on Tuesday indicate that Kimi Raikkonen has approached the Renault Formula 1 team.
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| Kimi Raikkonen (Photo: Citroen Sport) |
Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed to British motorsport magazine Autosport that Raikkonen had indeed approached the team, and is in contention for a seat alongside Kubica in 2011.
"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told Autosport.
"He is on the radar because he contacted us."
Kubica’s current teammate, Russian Vitaly Petrov may be offloaded to Team Lotus, which will almost certainly be powered by Renault V-8 engines next year.
Petrov had a fairly poor weekend at Monza, but when speaking to reporters on Thursday, he insisted he would still be in the paddock in one year.
"I will be in F1 in 2011," he said.
However, one of the attractions of Petrov is the commercial possibilities he opens up in Russia, especially for the financial and investment companies of Gérard Lopez, co-owner of the Renault team.
Boullier confirmed that Renault would have to change its commercial approach if it decided to hire Raikkonen instead of Petrov next season.