Raikkonen returns to F1 action at private Valencia test 23 Jan 2012
2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen has got back behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in two years. Raikkonen is spending Monday sampling a 2010-spec Renault at the Spanish circuit of Valencia in a specially-arranged test designed to help him reacclimatise to F1 ahead of his return to the sport this season.
The Finn, who will race for the Lotus team (formerly Renault) in 2012, will spend the next two days in the R30. He will focus his attentions on readjusting to an F1 cockpit after a spell driving in the World Rally Championship and will also get his first chance to sample Pirelli's tyres, even though he is using the Italian manufacturer’s demonstration-spec rubber.
Raikkonen last drove an F1 car at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he bid farewell to Ferrari. After this preparatory test, Raikkonen will join new team mate Romain Grosjean and evaluate Lotus’s 2012 car at the first multi-team pre-season session, which will take place at Jerez from February 7-10.
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