Raikkonen raring for F1 return
01/24/2012 08:08:48 PM
Kimi Raikkonen has spoken of his joy to return to Formula One after testing for the 2012 season began.
The Finnish driver – who won the 2007 world title with Ferrari – left the sport in 2009 to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and different NASCAR events.
Raikkonen has returned to motorsport's biggest stage though, signing a two-year deal with Lotus-Renault starting this season.
"It is nice to finally get back in a Formula One car," Raikkonen said, before comparing the differences between F1 and the WRC.
"It's really a completely different sport. OK, you're driving, but it is such different conditions and style. It was nice to get back in a (Formula One) car, it's quite a few years since I have driven last."
"Of course, it takes a little while to get used to it but, I mean, the main driving, braking, turning, normal things, (don't) take many laps. But of course you start learning about the car, the team, the tyres and everything."
"(I'm) happy to be here - we'll see how it goes. It's about trying to get things as good as we can, and (we can) prepare ourselves as well as possible for the first races - and do good races and good results, and that's what we're aiming for."
The first race of the 2012 Formula One season will be held in Melbourne on March 18.